Meeks Bay Restoration
According to the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), “The deteriorating condition of the existing marina infrastructure, along with concerns over water quality, aquatic invasive species, and degraded habitat for native species have prompted the need for action in Meeks Bay.”
The marina has been shut down for several years, originally due to low lake levels; however in recent years high pollution levels have been detected in water levels, prompting additional actions by the Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board. The USFS is proposing a project that will remove the existing marina and move the Meeks Creek stream channel and wetland/lagoon below State Route 89 (SR89) to a more natural functioning condition, potentially add a new public pier, and make other changes to the existing campground and resort, including parking, vehicle circulation, pedestrian and bike paths, and other aspects of the resort.
Specifically, the proposed project will include the following activities:
1. Aquatic Invasive Species Eradication
2. Remove the existing marina infrastructure
3. Restore Meeks Lagoon in the location of the existing marina
4. Restore Meeks Creek from the SR 89 crossing to the confluence of Lake Tahoe
5. Install Utility Infrastructure
6. Implement Resource Protection Barriers
7. Wildlife Enhancement Actions
8. Construct a Pier
9. Construct a Boat Launch
10. Reconstruct Boat Trailer Parking and Vehicular Circulation Routes
11. Reconstruct Meeks Bay Campground
12. Install Pedestrian Connectivity Routes
13. Install Interpretation Opportunities
14. Construct Day Use Parking Areas
15. Implement Shoreline Stabilization Measures
16. Install Best Management Practices
Timeline
January 2022: TRPA has stated the Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Report (DEIS/DEIR) is expected to be released in late February/early March and a 60-day public comment period will follow. A Stakeholder Forum meeting will be held shortly after the release of the DEIS/DEIR, and project leaders have tentatively scheduled the item for public comment at the March 23 TRPA Governing Board meeting.
July 2021: A stakeholder meeting was held on 7/21 and an information-only presentation was made to the TRPA Governing Board on 7/28 (review meeting minutes here). Next steps include consolidating public comments to date, determining a preferred alternative (note: all alternatives will be equally evaluated), and then releasing the draft environmental review document for public review and comment. Information from previous meetings and other materials can be accessed here.
December 2020: At the 12/9/2020 Stakeholder meeting, project leaders presented the three current project alternatives being considered. In addition, the lead agencies explained why the option of a ‘partial’ marina restoration, which had been considered in previous discussions, is not economically feasible. View the presentation here.
Based on public feedback and the removal of the partial restoration option, the alternative themes were revised as follows (view detailed comparison chart):
Full restoration of lagoon with a boating pier
Full restoration of lagoon with a pedestrian-only pier
Full restoration of lagoon with no pier
No Action Alternative (current conditions remain, however the environmental document will also evaluate the impacts of full marina operation although this is not being proposed by the project)
August 2020: Two stakeholder meetings have been held so far and a new website has been launched. Learn more here. FOWS also recently conducted a survey of our members and supporters regarding views on the project options (see results).
June 2020: Beginning this summer, the USFS and others will kick off a collaborative stakeholder process to provide a forum to solicit stakeholder feedback on the upcoming environmental review planning documents and overall project goals. All forum meetings will be open to the public. In addition, a project website will be launched in July and several public workshops are planned beginning on August 19. View process details and dates here. Additional details for joining the 7/15 stakeholder meeting are included in this email from TRPA on July 10.
December 2019: The USFS is developing alternatives based on comments received during scoping. Alternatives may include the proposed action (remove the marina, restore the lagoon, and add a new public pier and boat ramp to the south end of the bay), other variations or locations for the pier and boat ramp, and an option involving partial restoration of the lagoon and/or rehabilitation of the marina. Due to administrative issues surrounding contracts and funding, and the time it will take to perform an extensive environmental analysis, the USFS does not anticipate release of the draft Environmental Impact Report/Study until winter 2021.
September 2018: The USFS, Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board, and TRPA jointly issued a Proposed Action for the Meeks Bay Resort and Marina, along with the Notice of Preparation/Notice of Intent (NOP/NOI) to prepare an environmental impact report/study/statement (EIR/S/S). All associated documents can be accessed here.
FOWS submitted comments on the NOP/NOI and included issues of concern and questions that should be evaluated in the environmental review based on the feedback we heard from our members and other interested public.
What Can I Do?
Every West Shore resident should understand this project and its potential impact on our community, so thank you for reading this and staying active! More ways to help:
Write letters to Placer/El Dorado County Board of Supervisors and the TRPA Governing Board.
Attend Placer/El Dorado County and TRPA public meetings and workshops. Check our site for updates on upcoming meetings.
Read our newsletters and connect with us on facebook to stay informed on opportunities to take action.
Get in touch with us. Let us know your concerns and what can we do to help you understand this project.
Support us through membership, volunteering, or donation.