SUPPORT SERVICES FOR AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT PLAN AND PROGRAM
Tahoe Keys Property Owners Association
The Tahoe Keys Property Owners Association (TKPOA) has been actively managing aquatic invasive plants in the Tahoe Keys Lagoons (lagoons) since infestation was first documented in the 1980s. Since 2013, EN2/SEA has partnered with TKPOA in its efforts to document, address and control invasive plants and is extensively familiar with the major activities, progression of efforts, and accomplishments by TKPOA and others for aquatic invasive species (AIS) management in Lake Tahoe. EN2/SEA’s goal has been, and continues to be, providing TKPOA with efficient and strategic assistance that supports effective control of the AIS that impair the beneficial uses of the lagoons.
EN2/SEA has provided specific support services including:
- Development of a long-term aquatic invasive species (AIS) Integrated Management Plan (IMP) for the Tahoe Keys lagoons;
- Leading TKPOA compliance with California Regional Water Quality Control Board Lahontan Region, Board Order Waste Discharge Requirements (WDR) including with:
- Data collection and analysis for and preparation of TKPOA’s Annual Macrophyte Survey Report (submitted to the Water Board in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020)
- Compiling information for and developing an update of TKPOA’s Integrated Management Plan (IMP) and Nonpoint Source Water Quality Management Plan (NPS Plan) (submitted to the Water Board in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020);
- Data collection and analysis for and preparation of TKPOA’s Annual Macrophyte Survey Report (submitted to the Water Board in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020)
- Conducting multiple surveys including: annual water quality sampling (at between 9 and 17 static locations and measuring up to 14 water quality parameters); annual macrophyte surveys (spatial distribution and percent composition of the nuisance plants); groundwater sampling; fragment control studies; rhodamine dye studies, mesocosm studies and other field work;
- Preparation and submission of applications and supporting material (including Aquatic Pesticide Application Plan) for Exemption to the Basin Plan Prohibition on the Use of Pesticides for the Tahoe Keys West Lagoon Integrated Control Methods Test (2017) and for the Tahoe Keys Lagoons Restoration Project: Application for Approval to Reduce Aquatic Invasive and Nuisance Plant Species (2018); and,
- Providing advice, support and responses to regulatory agency requests for information as TKPOA moves forward with environmental compliance of and implementation of the Tahoe Keys Lagoons Aquatic Weed Control Methods Test (CMT). This support includes ensuring that agency staff conduct their analyses and review processes in a manner that meets the technical substantive, and procedural requirements for the defensible completion of the permitting processes.