pollution

The Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team, which includes local, state and federal land managers, will resume operations as soon as weather, conditions and staffing allow.

CARSON CITY — 2018 was an exciting year for the Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. As we put 2018 in the rear-view mirror, we’d like to celebrate some of our more notable highlights from the past year, and share a glimpse into what’s in store for 2019.

These past few months River Wranglers have been working with Dayton Schools on Conserve the Carson River Workdays. Dayton High School marine science class helped River Wranglers work with Dayton Elementary, Riverview Elementary, and Sutro Elementary.

Weather permitting, California State Parks, California Tahoe Conservancy, North Lake Tahoe and Tahoe Douglas fire protection districts and the U.S. Forest Service may continue prescribed fire operations over the next several weeks in multiple locations around Lake Tahoe.

A recent documentary on PBS on plastic pollution shocked me with something called the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.

Weather permitting, California State Parks, North Lake Tahoe and Tahoe Douglas fire protection districts and the U.S. Forest Service may continue prescribed fire operations over the next several weeks in multiple locations around Lake Tahoe.

Two Carson City artists, a school student and an adult, placed in the statewide recycled art contest to raise awareness of recycling. First place in the adult division went to Bretta Leach, and third place in the K-5 Division went to Sean T., both of Carson City.

Pipe Keepers is a citizen science program to address the threat of stormwater pollution entering Lake Tahoe. Runoff from rain storms and snowmelt is the largest source of pollution that degrades Lake clarity.

The League to Save Lake Tahoe staff will train volunteers Nov. 14 from 2 to 4 p.m., to survey stormwater infrastructure including pipes and storm drains found throughout the city.

All ages welcome, no experience necessary. Snacks and refreshments provided.

For more information, contact protect@keeptahoeblue.org or keeptahoeblue.org/events

Kelly Gustafson, a Carson High School Health Science teacher and HOSA adviser in the Career and Technical Education Department at CHS, provides this week's news regarding a health career competition. She reports the following:

The Lake Tahoe Basin Fall Prescribed Fire Program will begin as early as this week under the management of the Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team, which includes local, state and federal fire and land management agencies.

Join us Oct. 25 for a fun evening at Lake Tahoe AleWorX from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. with local stormwater scientists, drinks, food, a raffle and fundraiser. No experience necessary.

Lake Tahoe AleWorX is proud to support the League to Save Lake Tahoe. On Thursday, October 25 between 5:30 to 8:30 pm, AleWorX will donate 100 percent of its net profits from all food and beverage sold at its taproom at the Crossing to the League. It is located at 2050 Lake Tahoe Blvd Suite No. 2050 in South Lake Tahoe.

Carson City has joined a growing national network of municipalities, other government agencies, utilities, multiple companies, and clean energy advocates in highlighting the benefits of energy efficiency on Friday, Oct. 5, the third annual Energy Efficiency Day.

The Nevada Division of Environmental Protection's Bureau of Air Pollution Control (BAPC) has entered the public notice period for a new Class II Air Quality Operating Permit for Costco Wholesale, located in Carson City.

The public comment period is from Sept. 14, 2018 to Oct. 15, 2018.

Wildfires burning around the region have contributed to deteriorating air quality Thursday morning with the Carson City area getting the brunt of smoke and haze that began to move in overnight, according to AirNow.Gov.

Volunteers of all ages and skill levels are invited to this fun, hands-on restoration day. By pitching in, you are improving the watershed habitats that surround Lake Tahoe. Healthy forests act as natural pollution filters to Keep Tahoe Blue.

What to wear and bring: sturdy boots, clothes that are comfortable and can get dirty and sunglasses. Bring a reusable water bottle and leather work gloves if you have them.

UPDATE 12:08PM: As of noon Monday, Carson City and Douglas County air quality is now in the "Very Unhealthy" category, according to the Air Quality Index, triggering a health alert meaning everyone may experience more serious health effects. Carson City's index reading was 222 and Gardnerville, 272.
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Smoke from regional fires has caused the air quality in the Gardnerville area of Douglas County to reach the "hazardous" stage Monday morning, with an Air Quality Index reading of 410, according to AirNow.gov, while Carson City has reached the "unhealthy" stage.

Under somewhat clearer skies, gusty winds and low humidity are expected to arrive Thursday afternoon, which has prompted the National Weather Service to issue a Red Flag warning from 1 to 9 p.m. and a fire weather watch through Saturday.

UPDATE 11:53AM: Carson City and Gardnerville was downgraded to the "unhealthy" category on the Air Quality Index after remaining in the moderate level until around 10 a.m. The "unhealthy" category, in which Carson City was 161 and Gardnerville 162, means everyone may begin to experience health effects, members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects.
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Smoke-filled skies continue to grip Carson City and Western Nevada on Wednesday though some of the haze has eased since the first part of the week.

Smoke that has settled into the Carson City area over the weekend from multiple fires burning throughout the Northern California region has resulted in an air quality index (AQI) rating of 89, according to CarsonWeather.com and the National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno.

Nearly 25 years ago, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and dozens of partners embarked on an unprecedented mission to conserve and restore the Lake Tahoe Basin’s treasured natural resources through the Lake Tahoe Environmental Improvement Program.

Carson City Health and Human Services has been receiving several calls about the impact of the smoke from the Ferguson Fire near Yosemite National Park. The Nevada Division of Environmental Protection and Carson City Health and Human Services continue to monitor air quality concerns from smoke drifting into the area from this fire.

UPDATE 2:58PM: Carson City's air quality worsened Wednesday afternoon to "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" with an Air Quality Index measure now at 115.
Sensitive groups include people with lung disease such as asthma, older adults, children and teenagers, and people who are active outdoors. People who fall in this group should reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion.

CARSON CITY — TravelNevada debuts five summer experiences in five Nevada territories, encouraging travelers to follow ancient Basque pilgrimages, traverse ghosts towns, explore alpine lakes and rock formations, practice mindfulness and view meteor showers from one of the last remaining dark skies.

The Nevada Division of Environmental Protection’s (NDEP) Bureau of Water Quality Planning has approximately $1 million in federal funding available to provide grant assistance for projects that prevent or control non-point source water pollution, the leading cause of water quality impairment in Nevada.

Nearly 500 people volunteered Thursday along the shoreline of Lake Tahoe as part of a lakewide cleanup organized by the League to Save Lake Tahoe. Participants removed 1,458 pounds of litter that would have harmed the lake’s ecology.

Drift smoke from California wildfires has wafted into Carson City and Western Nevada this Tuesday morning, according to the National Weather Service in Reno.

Lake Tahoe is one of the clearest lakes in the world, known around the globe for its spectacular scenery. The lake’s water clarity is one of the many attributes that make the Tahoe Basin such an amazing natural resource and a mecca for outdoor recreation.

STATELINE — The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency on Tuesday released a draft environmental impact statement for a proposed Shoreline Plan for Lake Tahoe. The draft report is available for two months of public review and comment that will conclude Monday, July 9.

CARSON CITY — Spring is in the air; a time to open the windows, soak in the season’s colorful blooms, and enjoy Nevada’s inspiring natural surroundings. In recognition of National Air Quality Awareness Week, April 30 through May 4, the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection is helping to educate communities about the importance of reducing air pollution, promoting clean air, and fostering quality of life in Nevada – in the springtime and throughout the year.

It’s mid-April and lawns are starting to green up. I forgot to do my fall fertilization in October, and the grass really needs a
boost. There are weeds, especially clover, invading thinner areas of the lawn.