License plate sales fund Lake Tahoe environmental preservation projects
Nine projects have been awarded grants through the 2014 Lake Tahoe License Plate program, which generated around $350,000 last year from the sale of special plates through the DMV. Grant recipients were announced Tuesday by the Nevada Division of State Lands.
Grants are made available annually for projects that preserve and restore the natural environment of the Lake Tahoe Basin.
“Although we were unable to fund all the excellent projects submitted, we are pleased to be able to provide grants that address many of the high priority, environmental issues that have been identified by our Lake Tahoe partners," said Charlie Donohue, acting administrator of the Nevada Division of State Lands.
After evaluation and input by a Technical Advisory Committee and Scientific Technical Peer Review, the Division of State Lands awarded nine projects. Projects include:
Tahoe East Shore Express – a Tahoe Transportation District project. This supports operation of transit services between Incline Village and Sand Harbor State Park to address safety and congestion issues during peak summer months along the SR 28 corridor. East Shore Express services have been a success since their start in 2012, providing significant safety and environmental benefits to the Tahoe Basin.
Lake Tahoe Aquatic Invasive (AIS) Plant Control Project – a Tahoe Resource Conservation District (TRCD) project – targets and controls the establishment of aquatic invasive species plants, such as Eurasian watermilfoil and curly-leaf pondweed, on Nevada shorelines. Grant funds will be utilized to remove a known AIS infestation at Nevada Beach, Nev., as well as to survey and monitor other state beaches for new infestations.
Pilot Implementation of the Lake Tahoe Nearshore Monitoring Framework for Clarity Metrics – a Desert Research Institute (DRI) project – provides for the establishment of monitoring for several key environmental indicators associated with nearshore lake clarity, most of which have not been consistently monitored in the past. Scientists will use data collected to evaluate the current nearshore environmental health at Lake Tahoe and for continued efforts to monitor, maintain and improve this sensitive, unique and ever changing environment.
Past projects funded through this grant include water quality improvements, research and monitoring studies, state park improvements, invasive species research and removal, as well as public education and outreach programs.
Since the first Lake Tahoe license plate was purchased in 1998, more than 6.7 million dollars have been generated through the program, funding approximately 100 projects in the State of Nevada. Lake Tahoe license plates are available from the Nevada DMV.
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