Government Organizations
These government organizations/agencies regulate aspects of the growth or use of the Lake Tahoe Basin.
California Tahoe Conservancy
The mission of the California Tahoe Conservancy is to lead California's efforts to restore and enhance the extraordinary natural and recreational resources of the Lake Tahoe Basin.
California State Parks
The California Department of Parks and Recreation manages more than 270 park units, which contain the finest and most diverse collection of natural, cultural, and recreational resources to be found within California. Tahoe’s West Shore is home to several California State Parks, including Emerald Bay State Park, D.L. Bliss State Park, Ed Z'berg Sugar Pine Point State Park, and the Ward Creek Property.
El Dorado County
The El Dorado County Planning Department (covering the areas of the County in the Lake Tahoe Basin that are not within the City of South Lake Tahoe limits, including Tahoma, Meeks Bay, and Rubicon Bay) provides information on land development, zoning, reviews and makes recommendations on land development applications, helps the Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission plan for growth by providing professional and technical expertise, leads the preparation of Community Plans as well as Countywide plans which set the guidelines for future growth.
Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board
The primary responsibility for the protection of water quality in California rests with the State Water Resources Control Board (State Board) and nine Regional Water Quality Control Boards. The State Board sets statewide policy for the implementation of state and federal laws and regulations. The Regional Boards adopt and implement Water Quality Control Plans (Basin Plans) which recognize regional differences in natural water quality, actual and potential beneficial uses, and water quality problems associated with human activities.
Placer County
The Placer County Planning Department (covering portions of Placer County in the Lake Tahoe Basin, from Kings Beach to Tahoma) provides information on land development, zoning, reviews and makes recommendations on land development applications, helps the Placer County Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission plan for growth by providing professional and technical expertise, leads the preparation of Community Plans as well as Countywide plans which set the guidelines for future growth.
Tahoe Regional Planning Agency
Foremost, TRPA operates under the authority of the states of California and Nevada and the federal government through the Bi-State Compact, which was ratified by Congress and signed by the President of the United States. To implement the direction of the Compact, TRPA uses two main tools to protect and restore Lake Tahoe: An Environmental Improvement Program that implements restoration projects to heal past damage to the ecosystem and a regulatory program that works to minimize the impact of developed properties on the watershed.
Tahoe Metropolitan Planning Organization
TRPA serves as the federally-designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (TMPO) for the Lake Tahoe Basin and in the State of California TRPA is the designated Regional Transportation Planning Agency (RTPA). The core mission of the TMPO, consistent with the goals of the TRPA and the RTPA, is to establish a safe, efficient and integrated transportation system that reduces reliance on the private automobile, provides for alternative modes of transportation, serves the basic transportation needs of the citizens of the Tahoe Region, supports the economic base of the region in the movement of goods and people, and minimizes adverse impacts on humans and the environment.
Tahoe Transportation District
Created through the 1980 TRPA Compact, the Tahoe Transportation District is responsible for facilitating and implementing safe, environmentally positive, multi-modal transportation plans, programs and projects for the Lake Tahoe Basin, including transit operations.