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.