TSC Products Overview
Please see the following two summary presentations and final products from the workshop.
All of the following documents are part of Phase I of the Regional Storm Water Monitoring Planning effort. For further information, please contact Alan Heyvaert at alan.heyvaert@dri.edu.
The Tahoe Science Consortium (TSC) was formed in August 2005 through a memorandum of understanding (MOU) among research institutions and resource management agencies actively involved in the restoration and management of the Lake Tahoe Basin. The vision for a TSC and the underlying MOU grew out of extensive deliberations among science community and resource management agency representatives. These deliberations led to a consensus document,1 which describes the purpose and conceptual organization of the TSC. Through the MOU, a consortium of research institutions has pledged to work cooperatively with the resource management agencies to establish and sustain collaborative science efforts that will provide information essential to determining the most efficient path to restoring and maintaining Lake Tahoe’s complex ecosystems.
Peer review is an objective process used to evaluate proposals for new projects and results from completed projects. The practice of peer review is used in many types of business, technology, and enterprise activities where there is an interest in maximizing cost effectiveness, credibility, and success. Peer review practices are often thought of in the context of science activities; however, rigorous peer review has been a hallmark of the modern scientific method only since the middle of the twentieth century.
It is clear that a complex suite of interrelated changes has occurred in and around the Lake Tahoe basin over the last 150 years. These changes have significantly affected the atmospheric, aquatic, and terrestrial environments and socioeconomic conditions in the basin (Elliott-Fisk et al. 1996, Lindström et al. 2000). Human responses to these changes have taken many forms, but the overall trend has been to move from policies favoring unrestricted use of habitats for development and economic benefit to policies favoring limitations on development and increased habitat conservation (see Elliott-Fisk et al. 1996 for a thoughtful review). These responses ultimately led to the policy declaration establishing the Tahoe Region Planning Compact (Public Law 96-551), which aims to ensure equilibrium between the region’s natural endowment and its manmade environment.
Effective management of the Lake Tahoe Basin and restoring and sustaining the quality of the watershed is a continuing focus of discussion amongst scientists and decision-makers. The goal of this three-day workshop was to advance development of a comprehensive science plan for the Lake Tahoe Basin. The workshop provided a collaborative and open forum in which individuals involved in the science and management of the Lake Tahoe Watershed discussed the emerging research strategies. The workshop format provided many opportunities for feedback and comments. Individuals involved in the science and management of the Lake Tahoe Watershed are encouraged to participate.
Nevada Water Resources Association
The Tahoe Science Consortium (TSC) has completed its review of the SNPLMA Round 8 Lake Tahoe capital project proposals. The TSC comments are both programmatic and specific in nature. These review comments are based on individual reviews by Committee of Scientist members, and on information received in the February 16, 2007 meeting with Lake Tahoe Basin Executive representatives and capital project sponsors.
The Angora Ridge fire burned approximately 3,100 acres of land area in the southwest portion of the Lake Tahoe Basin, California. Undeveloped montane, mixed conifer forest habitat was the dominant land type within the burn area, but significant areas of urban development were also affected.
Several short-term assessments are underway to better characterize the extent and severity of the fire affects. These assessments also will determine actions needed to remediate the direct fire effects, and determine the most immediate efforts needed to reduce further adverse impacts.
