Neighborhood Solutions for a Lake Wide Problem

​As aquatic invasive species (AIS) have become an urgent issue in the Keys lagoons, it is also a Lake Tahoe-wide threat to water quality, the environment and the economy. The Tahoe Keys Property Owners Association (TKPOA) has been actively managing invasive plants for decades through an integrative, science-based approach with the goal of gaining control over the infestation and greatly reducing their spread. TKPOA is currently collaborating on the development of an environmental document (EIS/EIR) to find solutions to address the aquatic invasive plant issue.

1980s:

Infestation & Response

• Native to Europe and Asia, Eurasian Watermilfoil was introduced to Lake Tahoe and the Tahoe Keys in the 1980s. No one knows how specifically, but it is likely from home aquarium dumping, or transported accidentally by boat.
• Harvesting begins.

1990s-2000s:

Investigation & Harvesting

• The harvesting and fragment control program continues and grows as the infestation grows.

2011-2014:
Research & Coordination

• Initial collaboration with Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and Tahoe Resource Conservation District
• Initial experiments with bottom barriers
• Comprehensive literature research on control methods
• Informational consultations with Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board, Lake
  Tahoe Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinating Committee and others
• Waste Discharge Requirement (WDR) Permit issued in 2014, necessitating
  Integrated Management Plan and Nonpoint Source Water Quality Management Plan.

2015-2016
Research & Collaboration

• Education and outreach to homeowners, landscaping companies and other land owners for Nonpoint Source Plan
• Independent Scientific Panel review of Integrated Management Plan
• Fragment Control method evaluation including new boats, boat backup station
• Alternative methods research and field study
• Water quality monitoring and study
• Collaboration with stakeholders in planning process, including the Lake Tahoe Water
  Suppliers Association, League to Save Lake Tahoe, Sierra Club, Tahoe
  Resource Conservation District, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, Lahontan
  Regional Water Quality Control Board

2017-2020
Implementation, demonstration & evaluation

• Small-scale herbicide test followed by non-herbicide methods pending approval (2018-2020)
• Non-herbicide combination methods evaluation pending funding (diver assisted pulling, broader bottom barrier use) 2017-2019
• Long-term Integrated Management Plan (2020)