The institutional and social elements of the restoration equation

Governing from a watershed boundary, the Lake Tahoe basin, should simplify environmental restoration efforts, however it can complicate the process by blurring different governmental roles and responsibilities, making policy and program implementation more challenging.  The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency is charged with planning for the basin, through the use of environmental threshold carrying capacities.  These thresholds or standards rely on sound science to evaluate whether they are in attainment or not.  Tahoe is at a pivotal point as it coordinates the update of the TRPA’s 20-year regional plan and associated agency plans.  Furthermore, a large scientific effort is beginning to show important findings that can serve to support the development of the planning documents.  Concurrently, a large funding of restoration projects continues.  The federal and state governments are funding stream, wildlife habitat, forestry and other projects on public lands, as well as supporting local governments to construct restoration projects on their own lands.  The coordination of science, restoration, and policy is complicated as many different agencies have a role in this.  Furthermore, the citizenry is as diverse as the agency representation, varying between local residents and second home owners, as well as the national and international visitors that have an interest in Tahoe.  The demographic changes of residents and visitors are changing and these trends will be presented in the context of current policies and efforts to restore Tahoe.  The accomplishments of the restoration efforts and policies will be highlighted, as well as an outline of the challenges that lie ahead.