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We are losing Lake Tahoe.

This is for all the people that have loved Lake Tahoe.  Get involved in our conservation mission.  Attend meetings.  Sign petitions. We want to hear your concerns.  Motivate lovers of Lake Tahoe to get involved in our conservation mission.

North Tahoe Preservation Alliance (NTPA)
Milestones of Impact

Established in 2008

2008 – Protected Public Safety and Access in Crystal Bay
Successfully appealed to the Washoe County Commissioners to block the takeover of the 4th Crystal Bay exit by the Boulder Bay/Waldorf Astoria development. Cited fire evacuation concerns. The exit was preserved, and a safer alternative route—Wellness Way—was proposed. Success.

2011 – Defended Lake Tahoe from Urban Overdevelopment
Mobilized public opposition to the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency’s (TRPA) proposed Regional Plan, which aimed to increase high-density urban-style development around Lake Tahoe. Raised awareness and slowed momentum for overdevelopment.

2015 – Challenged the Martis Valley West Project
Rallied community resistance against the controversial Martis Valley West development. As a result, developers were required to conduct a new Environmental Impact Statement/Report (EIS/EIR). Nothing new proposed yet.  Critical environmental victory.

2017 – Protected Kings Beach Community Space
Helped block a proposed 90-year lease of the Kings Beach Event Center by developer Laulima (owner of the Crown Motel/Rite Aid properties). Portions of the developer’s property were later listed for sale. Community win.

2019 – Prevented Luxury Lakefront Condos
Successfully opposed Laulima’s attempt to replace a proposed boutique hotel with luxury condominiums on their lakefront parcel. Preserved Kings Beach town character and lakefront integrity.

2022 – Stood up for Public Lake Access in Somers Loop
Worked with local residents to retain a 8-foot-wide public beach access from private takeover by a neighboring billionaire’s encroachment. While later closed by the County later over erosion, the public right-of-way was retained. Partial success.

2022 – Raised Awareness Through Media
Produced a compelling video documenting the overdevelopment of North Lake Tahoe under TRPA’s policies.

  • 4.3k+ views on YouTube
  • 10k+ views on TikTok
  • Launched an anti-urbanization petition with 1,062+ signatures and growing. Effective public outreach and advocacy.

2023 – Legal Action to Protect the Basin
Joined forces with Friends of the West Shore and Tahoe Sierra Clean Air to file a writ of mandate against Placer County, challenging the Tahoe Basin Area Plan’s expansion of height, density, and coverage allowances without required environmental review. Legal challenge in progress.

2024 – Mobilized Opposition to MORE Massive Zoning Changes
Rallying community opposition to TRPA’s latest push for drastic zoning changes—proposing 65’ tall buildings, 100% land coverage, unlimited density, and no parking requirements—all without adequate environmental analysis. Ongoing advocacy.

 

Join Us, Speak Up, Protect Lake Tahoe


Sign Petition Here

In The News

We have a fighting chance to preserve North Lake Tahoe for future generations.

Lake Tahoe's Natural Splendor Vanishing: The Dark Side of Overdevelopment Threatens Its Pristine Landscape

1. Strain on Lake Tahoe’s Infrastructure: Overpopulation in Lake Tahoe can strain the region’s infrastructure, including roads, highways, and transportation systems, resulting in traffic congestion and inadequate services for both residents and visitors.
 
2. Environmental Degradation of Lake Tahoe: Increased population density in the Lake Tahoe area can contribute to environmental degradation, such as water pollution, habitat destruction, and erosion of the lake’s pristine beauty, negatively impacting its ecosystem and biodiversity.
 
3. Overcrowding at Lake Tahoe: Overpopulation can lead to overcrowding at Lake Tahoe’s popular recreational areas, including beaches, hiking trails, and ski resorts, diminishing the overall experience and putting stress on the natural environment.
 
4. Escalating Costs of Living: With a growing population, the cost of living in Lake Tahoe can increase significantly, making it challenging for local residents to afford housing, basic necessities, and maintain their quality of life.
 
5. Loss of Lake Tahoe’s Cultural Identity: Overpopulation and the influx of tourists can potentially lead to the loss of Lake Tahoe’s unique cultural identity as the region becomes more commercialized and caters primarily to tourist preferences.
 
6. Social Tensions and Community Marginalization: Overpopulation can create social tensions as residents may feel marginalized or overshadowed by the tourist influx, leading to conflicts over resources, cultural differences, and the preservation of Lake Tahoe’s local identity.
 
7. Overexploitation of Lake Tahoe’s Natural Beauty: High tourist numbers can contribute to the overexploitation of Lake Tahoe’s natural attractions, including its crystal-clear waters and scenic landscapes, leading to environmental degradation and loss of the area’s pristine qualities.
 
8. Infrastructure Maintenance Struggles: The strain of a growing population on Lake Tahoe’s infrastructure, coupled with limited resources and funding, can make it challenging to maintain and upgrade facilities, potentially resulting in deteriorating conditions and reduced quality of life for both residents and visitors.
  • Wildfire Are Increasing - Measurements showed that sunlight and UV radiation levels were far below their usual values
  • Algae growth reaches highest levels on record with a six-fold increase in primary productivity over the past 50 years and a 300 percent rise in floating algae in 2021.
  • The average lake surface water temperature was 52.8 F in 2020, warmer , an increase of 3.2 F
  • Peak streamflows could increase up to three times their historical flow rates, due to the loss of snowpack storage

Record Highs, Lows and Opportunities in Lake’s Annual Health Report

The UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center (TERC) has released its annual Tahoe: State of the Lake Report, providing vital information on the health of Lake Tahoe and serving as a scientific foundation for restoration and management decisions in the region. The report highlights concerning developments such as the decline of zooplankton and Mysis shrimp populations, a sudden shift in phytoplankton community, and widespread algal growth along the Tahoe shoreline, presenting both alarming challenges and valuable insights for future management efforts.

View the Report