Relevance

The recreation element of the Regional Plan provides for the development, utilization, and management of the recreational resources of the Region. The recreation element contains goals and policies that are intended “to achieve the intent of the thresholds over the life of the Plan by ensuring that recreational opportunities keep pace with public demand, that recreational facilities remain high on the development priority list, and that the quality of the outdoor recreational experience will be maintained.” (TRPA 2012e)

Human and Environmental Drivers

Human and environmental drivers of the quality of recreation experiences include the variety of recreational activities available, the condition of the natural environment and developed recreation facilities, the density of visitors using recreation sites, and the ease of accessing recreation sites. In 2023, TRPA and partners engaged the Tahoe Science Advisory Council to review best practices in monitoring outdoor recreational access and quality. Access to better assess the state, quality, and trends in recreation in Tahoe. The Council Report and recommendations are currently being evaluated by partners and are included in the references section below. The total number of rooms nights rented in the Tahoe Region remains below pre-COVID levels. The 2023 Lodging Trend report (below) found that the regional occupancy rate in 2018-2019 was 42 percent, relative to 37 percent in 2021-2022. Occupancy in 2023 was down -3.6 percent from 2022. While occupancy is down, the average daily rate in the Region continues to increase and is nearly twice as high as pre-COVID. The 2023 Congestion Report analyzed seven years of congestion data and found no overall trends in regional travel times, but identified no clear trends emerged from analysis of the seven years of travel time data, but identified inter-annual differences arising from construction, winter storms, and the 2021 Caldor Fire as key factors that complicate the identification of clear trends.

EIP Action Priorities

• Improve Public Access

  The focus of this action priority is to improve access land acquisitions that increase available access points to public land both in the backcountry and Lake Tahoe’s shoreline.

• Improve Public Recreation Facilities

  Replacing and updating outdated recreation infrastructure, adding directional signage and developing new facilities for day use opportunities.

EIP Indicators

• Length of Public Shoreline Added

  Since 1997, EIP partners have added 0.6 miles of shoreline for public access.

• Miles of Trails Developed or Improved

  This indicator tracks new and improved multi-use trails that enhance the travel experience in Tahoe.

Example EIP Projects

• Baldwin Beach Bike Path

  Access to Baldwin Beach was upgraded to provide a safe non-motorized path to beach amenities.

• Lake Link South Shore Microtransit

  This new south shore micro-transit service, provides access alternatives to the automobile.

• Round Hill Pines Resort Highway Intersection Improvements

  Intersection Improvements improved safety and access through the reconfiguration of the Highway 50 resort entry/intersection.

• Take Care Tahoe Campaign

  The Take Care Tahoe Campaign is a public service campaign that promotes stewardship.

Local and Regional Plans

• Lake Tahoe Destination Stewardship Plan

  This shared destination stewardship plan balances the needs of the environment, businesses, visitors, and local communities.

Monitoring Programs

• Congestion-Travel Time

  Congestion is monitored throughout the Region as increased congestion degrades overall experience.

• Nearshore Human Health

  Nearshore Human Health Beach Monitoring Program

• Socio-Economic

  US Census based demographic trends in the Tahoe Region.

Management Status Rationale

Implemented. The threshold standard has been implemented. A review of the TRPA Regional Plan and programs found that they support implementation of the policy statement. TRPA and its partners continue to work to enhance the quality of the recreation experience in Tahoe.