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Travel Route Ratings for Shoreline Travel Units

The shoreline travel unit rating reflects scenic conditions looking toward the shore from the surface of Lake Tahoe. The Lake’s 72-mile shoreline is separated into 33 individual units, each representing a varying length of the shoreline that exhibits similar visual character. Tracking these changes is important because it provides a measure of how changes in land use and development affect scenic conditions over time. The primary drivers affecting scenic quality in the shoreline areas of Lake Tahoe are land use, and the visual exposure and visual/aesthetic characteristics of development visible from Lake Tahoe. The TRPA Code of Ordinances specifies design standards and guidelines for new development and redevelopment projects along the shoreline through the Scenic Shoreland Ordinances adopted in 2002 and is intended to attain the threshold standards as older development is gradually replaced with newer development that has reduced visual impacts. Also, the 2018 Shoreline Plan provides design standards to mitigate the scenic impacts of new shoreline structures authorized under the plan. Every four years, a team of professionals examines and evaluates the quality of scenic units and resources along Tahoe's shoreline.

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Status

Evaluation Map

Scenic Shoreline Units 2019 attainment status. 

2019 Evaluation

Status
At or Somewhat Better Than Target
Trend
Little or No Change
Confidence
High
View Evaluation

Applicable Standard

Maintain the 1982 ratings for all roadway and shoreline units as shown in:
SR5) Table 13-6 of the Draft Study Report
SR6) Table 13-7 of the Draft Study Report
SR7) Restore scenic quality in roadway units rated 15 or below
SR8) Restore scenic quality in shoreline units rated 7 or below

Key Points

  • Of the 33 shoreline units, 22 shoreline units are in attainment and 11 are not. Units not in attainment generally have large lakefront residences with little or no visual screening and clutter from piers and boatlifts and would benefit from the redevelopment of structures along the shoreline.
  • From 1982 to 2001, scenic conditions along Lake Tahoe’s shoreline deteriorated. In response to this deterioration, in 2002, TRPA adopted new development regulations for shoreline projects. By 2006, scenic conditions began to improve and have continued to gradually improve through 2019.
  • During this most recent four-year evaluation period, the scenic quality of shoreline unit 29 improved due to the redevelopment of Roundhill Pines Beach Resort. Because this unit was already in attainment, the total number of shoreline units in attainment did not change.
  • The proliferation of kayak rental concessions and kayak storage racks on the beach threatens to degrade certain shoreland units due to the impacts of visual clutter. Potential problem areas include Baldwin Beach, Emerald Bay, in the Rubicon area, and Commons Beach. The Shoreline Plan adopted in 2018 sets out standards to mitigate the scenic effects of kayak rental and concession operations.
  • The newly constructed bike path from Incline Village to Sand Harbor adds a visible linear feature to the hillside. Screening vegetation has been planted and the visual effect will be reassessed during the next evaluation once the vegetation has matured.

Delivering and Measuring Success

Example EIP Projects