envjournal

By Michelle Horton

Envjournal Writer

Starting June 1st, 2009 Lake Tahoe boaters will pay a fee to help fund invasive species inspections. Approved by the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, the inspections prevent aquatic invasives, such as the zebra and quagga mussel from entering Lake Tahoe waters. Fees will range from $10 to $60 depending on vessel size.

We want to know how you feel about this issue. Do you have questions for the TRPA? Do you think there’s another way to protect the lake from invasives? Email us at envjournal@gmail.com or post comments below and let us know what your concerns are and what questions you would like us to ask TRPA officials.

Boating rules information, inspection requirements, and launch facility details can be found online or by phone at 1-888-TAHO-ANS.

By Gideon F. For-mukwai

Envjournal Writer

There are three areas in which water can be conserved in homes today. From the kitchen, to the bathroom and to the lawn, water usage can be reduced, depending on simple choices combined with new water-saving green devices.

Kitchen

According to Niagra Conservation, a turnkey conservation outfit based in New Jersey, there are many ways by which to reduce water wastage in homes. For instance, Niagara states that by taking shower instead of a bath, up to 40% of water can be saved. By increasing awareness, a lot of water and money be saved from multiple areas both indoor and outdoor.

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By Michelle Horton

Envjournal Writer

There are numerous organizations working toward protecting Lake Tahoe’s ecosystem. Below I have highlighted three of the organizations doing an exemplary job.

Tahoe Environmental Research Center

The Tahoe Environmental Research Center (TERC) is an organization developed within the UC Davis John Muir Institute of the Environment. UC Davis research of Lake Tahoe began in 1959, with Dr. Charles Goldman. TERC is dedicated to research, education and public outreach surrounding lake ecosystems. The Center is focused on providing scientific information to inform decision-making regarding restoration and sustainable use of the Lake Tahoe Basin. Research performed by TERC involves invasive species, water quality, atmospheric quality, terrestrial ecology, and fresh water aquatics.

For more information refer to: TERC Website

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By Gideon F. Mukwai
Envjournal Writer

This is beautiful Squaw Valley at sunset.

For two consecutive years, the Ski Area Citizens’ Coalition has rated the Squaw Valley Ski Corporation with an “A” grade for playing an active role in environmental restoration and enhancement within the Squaw Valley community.

According to Ed Heneveld, the founder of Friends of Squaw Creek, (FoSC), the Squaw Valley community has come a long way from a difficult past. In recent years, the Ski Corporation and the community have collaborated in reducing accelerated hill slope erosion and creek impairment which accounted for over 88% of sediment deposition.

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            A recent report turned up encouraging news for organizations working to protect the health of Lake Tahoe. A report released by the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) in conjunction with the UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Resesarch Center, showed Lake Tahoe water clarity has held steady at a depth of 69.6 feet in 2008. The measurement has held steady for the past eight years.

            Scientists measure clarity by lowering a white Secchi disk, which is the size of a dinner plate, into the lake and measuring its depth at its lowest visibility, also known as is Secchi depth. According to the report UC Davis researchers measure lake clarity with a Secchi disk every seven to ten days at two set locations. Measurements began in 1968 with an average recorded depth of 102.4 feet that year.

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Gideon F. For-mukwai

Envjounal Writer

Stories in the local media over the last couple of weeks have ranged from water wars, penalties for water violations, and potential drought resulting from insufficient snow fall this year.

From the Reno-Gazette Journal, to the Reno News & Review to NBC Channel 4, the headlines have echoed a growing concern over a looming water crisis in the Truckee River Basin.

On March 23, the Reno Gazette Journal reported, “Snow makes it way out of the Reno area.” The staff report indicated that while the chance of snow lingers, the Tahoe Basin is barely 75 - 85 per cent of its annual average. On same day, Tammy Krikorian also reported that water officials doubt that the Reno-Tahoe area will overcome the present snow shortfalls. For more more on this story, read: RGJ snow story here.

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From The Nature Conservancy's Blog

A RESPONSE: IS CONSERVATION UNNATURAL?

By Michelle Horton

Envjournal Writer

I came across an article posted on The Nature Conservancy’s blog that I thought was worth exploring. The question being posed: “is conservation unnatural?“

This intriguing post, written by Erik Meijaard, explores the evolutionary triumph of an invasive specie, the Church Bird of Borneo. Although they are nonnative to Borneo, their populations have flourished. However, in their native UK, they are red-listed as populations are quickly diminishing.

Meijaard asks: “When does a species stop being a dangerous invasive and become a wonder of nature worth protecting?”

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By Gideon F. Mukwai

EnvJournal Writer

Truckee River

Susan Lynn of Great Basin Water Network has decried what she calls “public apathy on water issues”. Some people don’t even know where the water they drink comes from, she said chuckling.

Public indifference comes with a price tag, Lynn said. This is so because some elected officials and water management experts take advantage of public apathy to work without consultation. 

“They see themselves as water gods,” she said. 

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