Tahoe Keys Lagoons Aquatic Weed Control Methods Test DRAFT EIR/EIS
Updated Basin Plan Exemption Application and Updated Control Methods Test Application to reduce aquatic invasive species in the Tahoe Keys lagoons submitted by TKPOA April 2021
TKPOA submitted the Tahoe Keys Lagoons Aquatic Weed Control Methods Test Application, triggering the need for an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) required by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board (Lahontan Water Board), and an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) required by the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA).
The Control Methods Test application proposes the use of targeted herbicides as one of the control methods to test in combination with other methods, including Ultraviolet Light tests, to reduce and control the abundant growth of non-native and nuisance aquatic weeds that are compromising the water quality and degrading the beneficial uses of the Tahoe Keys lagoons, as well as threatening the future ecosystem and water quality of Lake Tahoe.
The environmental analysis will determine if the use of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) approved herbicides can meet the strict environmental standards of Lake Tahoe’s classification as a Tier Three, Outstanding National Resource Water.
The environmental analysis team, TRC Solutions, has assembled a team of independent experts who will be collecting and analyzing data to understand the impacts of the proposed tests, along with alternate management options during 2019 – 2021.
The lead agencies have received thousands of comments about the Tahoe Keys Lagoons Aquatic Weed Control Methods Test draft environmental document. These agencies are reviewing all comments, finalizing the environmental document, conducting a peer review of the proposed project’s monitoring program, and coordinating with myriad agencies and partners throughout the basin.
Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board released a Draft National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit with an Antidegradation Analysis this fall with adequate time for the public to provide comments and feedback.
The Final Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement will be released later this year prior to the lead agencies considering the document for adoption.
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