- Home
- City Services
- Public Works
- Engineering
- Environmental Improvement Program (EIP)
Environmental Improvement Projects (EIP)
The Environmental Improvement Program (EIP) is a cooperative effort to preserve, restore and enhance the unique natural and human environment of the Lake Tahoe Region. The EIP program defines restoration needs for attaining environmental goals or thresholds and, through a substantial investment of resources, increases the pace at which the thresholds will be attained. Key to this strategy is reliance upon partnerships with all sectors of the community, including the private sector, local, state and federal government.
The EIP was initiated following the first Lake Tahoe Environmental Summit in 1997. Since its inception, over one billion dollars have been invested in projects to attain various environmental thresholds, including enhancing the clarity of Lake Tahoe.
The City of South Lake Tahoe is responsible for treating stormwater runoff from City-owned property and from the City’s public right-of-way (streets). EIP funded public improvement projects focus on infiltrating excess runoff generated from paved surfaces, stabilizing road shoulder sediment sources, removing sediment from roadways through drainage systems, and trapping fine sediment and other pollutants carried in storm water runoff in treatment basins and other devices.
Current EIP Projects
Sierra Tract Erosion Control Project, Phases 3 & 4
Project Manager: Stan Hill
Status: design
Schedule: 2015-2016
The Sierra Tract ECP, Phase 3 & 4 project includes design of water quality improvements for commercial portion of the Sierra Tract subdivision immediately adjacent to U.S. Highway 50 and the southwestern residential portion of the subdivision. Storm water from the project area drains directly to the Upper Truckee River, which drains to Lake Tahoe.
For more information, view the Project Workplan (PDF) which includes a project description, detailed maps and analysis of the REDUCTION of fine sediment produced within the project area that flows to the Upper Truckee River.
Engineering Plans (PDF) - Complete set of Final Plans for the project. This is a large file and may take a minute or two to load.
Tahoe Valley Stormwater Improvement Project
Project Manager: Jason Burke
Status: planning
The Tahoe Valley Greenbelt and Stormwater Improvement Project will include multi-benefit stormwater, stream environment zone (SEZ), bicycle and pedestrian improvements and recreational amenities. Water quality and SEZ enhancements will include improving existing drainage ways and drainage systems to spread, treat, infiltrate, and retain flows from roadways, commercial areas, and other high priority, directly connected urban areas. Pedestrian and bicycle enhancements will include improving connectivity within the project area and to regional networks. The Tahoe Valley Greenbelt Stormwater Improvement Project includes much of the densely developed commercial areas near U.S. Highway 50, both north and south of the “Y”.
Tahoe Valley Area Plan included a goal to create the Tahoe Valley Greenbelt to reduce pollutant loading while creating a walkable, bikeable and scenic connection from one of the more densely populated areas of the City to adjacent neighborhoods. The Tahoe Valley Area Plan was approved by the TRPA on July 22, 2015:
The area is a priority for treatment as storm water runoff discharges directly to the Upper Truckee River, which drains to Lake Tahoe. The project will include water quality improvements to reduce pollutant loads discharged to the Upper Truckee River.
Link for Lake Tahoe EIP Project Tracker (Tahoe Valley Greenbelt)
View a 2016 Conceptual Plan (PDF)
Tahoe Valley Greenbelt Workshop, December 2016 (PDF)
Tahoe Valley Area Plan Public Review (PDF)
Conceptual Photos (Artist rendition, not actual design) (PDF)