Tahoe Sierra IRWM

Project Template

Please provide information in the tables below:

I.  Project Proponent Information

Agency/ Organization / El Dorado County
Name of Primary Contact / Daniel Kikkert
Name of Secondary Contact / Russell Wigart
Mailing Address / 924B Emerald Bay Road, South Lake Tahoe, CA. 96150
E-mail / ;
Phone (###)###-#### / (530) 573-7914 ; (530) 573-7924
Other Cooperating Agencies/Organizations/Stakeholders / California Tahoe Conservancy (CTC), United States Forest Service, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA), Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWCQB)
Is your agency/organization committed to the project through completion? If not, please explain / Yes

II.  General Project Information

Project Title / Delaware Water Quality Project
Project Category /
Project Description
(Briefly describe the project, in 300 words or less) / Urban development in the Delaware residential area has resulted in a concentrated flow of stormwater from the County of Eldorado (County) right-of-way (ROW) directed to pervious forested land as well into the Upper Truckee River. The hydrologic connectivity between Lake Tahoe and the Delaware Project area results in high potential to deliver fine sediment to Lake Tahoe. Through this project the County proposes to construct erosion control improvements throughout the project area. Stormwater runoff will be directed to infiltration and capturing improvements providing a direct reduction in the transport of fine sediment to Lake Tahoe. It is also anticipated that existing urban stormwater infrastructure will be upgraded to current design specifications by improving conveyance systems to allow for proper flow sizing and routing. The tributary watershed outfall of the Project area is in close proximity to the Upper Truckee River. This Project is also identified as in the TRPA Environmental Improvement Program (EIP) as Project #194.
Project Prioritization: / Total number of projects submitted by your Agency: / 7
Agency Prioritization of this project (e.g., 3 of 5) / 7 of 7
Does this project contribute to a larger Project (e.g., TMDL, EIP, Phase 2 of 3) ? If so provide description. / Yes; the project ties in directly with larger projects which include: 1) Lake Tahoe Environmental Improvement Program and 2) Lake Tahoe Total Maximum Daily Load reduction efforts. In addition, the project components are related to local, regional, and state planning efforts to help improve water quality and restore the natural processes of the environment.
Political Support – List related MOUs, agreements or TACs currently in place. / 1. Pursuant to the requirements of Section 208 of the Clean Water Act, the TRPA prepared a Water Quality Management Plan (208 Plan) in 1978 for the Lake Tahoe Basin. The 208 Plan identifies erosion, runoff, and disturbance resulting from development such as subdivision roads as primary causes of the decline of Lake Tahoe's water quality. The 208 Plan also mandates that capital improvement projects such as this Project be implemented to bring all County roads into compliance with Best Management Practices (BMPs) by the year 2008.
2. The Lahontan RWCQB adopted a Basin Plan in the early 1980's that also mandated that BMPs be implemented within the Tahoe Basin to protect the water quality of Lake Tahoe and its tributaries.
3. In 1987, the CTC completed a report entitled “A Report on Soil Erosion Control Needs and Project in the Basin” that further identified specific project areas for BMP retrofit.
4. In 1992, TRPA and the County entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) related to completing various water quality and erosion control efforts within the County of El Dorado using the Department of Transportation Maintenance Division.
5. In 1997, TRPA developed a Basin-wide Environmental Improvement Program (EIP) that defined various projects in need of BMP/erosion control retrofits.
6. In 2007, Basin plan updates and TMDL effort.
7. In 2013, TRPA Regional Plan Update
Project Location:
Latitude: / 38°51'51.356"N
Longitude: / 120°2'5.319"W
Project Location Description (e.g., along the south bank of stream/river between river miles or miles from Towns/intersection and/or address): / The project is near the area of Meyers, bounded by Delaware Street to the south, Upper Truckee River to the east, Koru Street to the west, and Kiowa Drive to the North.

III.  Plan Objectives Addressed

For each of the objectives addressed by the project, provide a one to two sentence description of how the project contributes to attaining the objective and how the project will be quantified. If the project does not address any of the draft IRWM plan objectives, provide a one to two sentence description of how the project relates to a challenge or opportunity of the Region (see the bottom of page 4).

Objectives: / Will the project address the objective? / Brief explanation of project linkage to selected Objective / Quantification (e.g. acres of streams/wetlands restored or enhanced) /
WQ1 - Meet approved TMDL standards in accordance with the attainment date, and participate in the development of future TMDLs. / / The Lake Tahoe TMDL requires the reduction of Fine Sediment Particles to Lake Tahoe. This project meets that objective. / Reduction in pounds of pollutants
WQ2 – Reduce pollutant loads by implementing measures such as stormwater LID retrofits, erosion control/restoration to meet Water Quality Objectives (WQOs) for receiving water bodies established in the Basin Plan within the planning horizon. / / This project will use LID, stormwater runoff volume reduction and infiltration as well as source control practice to prevent erosion. / Volume of stormwater captured and/or infiltrated
WQ3 - Implement water quality monitoring programs through planning horizon, and coordinate annually throughout the Region. / / The project will be fitted with a pressure transducer to monitor pre/post project stormwater runoff. / # of storm events for which data are collected
WQ4 - Ensure that drinking water supplied by public water systems continues to meet Federal and State standards. /
WQ5 - Restore degraded streams, wetlands, riparian and upland areas to re-establish natural water filtering processes. /
WQ6 -Operate and maintain, build, or replace infrastructure for reliable collection, treatment and disposal of wastewater. /
WS1 - Provide water supply to meet projected demands for a 20-year planning horizon. /
WS2 - Operate and maintain, build, or replace infrastructure to reliably supply water. /
WS3 - Implement and promote water conservation measures and practices to meet state goals. / / This project will work with residents to reduce the need for irrigation by promoting drought tolerant landscapes. / # of parcels
GWM1 - Maintain and monitor groundwater supply to assure future reliability. /
GWM2 - Promote groundwater protection activities for high quality groundwater, and advocate for improvements to impacted groundwater quality through public education. / / Public outreach and Community watershed education is critical goal of this project
GWM3 - Manage groundwater for multiple uses (e.g. municipal/industrial/agricultural supply and environmental use). /
ER1 - Enhance and restore water bodies, wetlands, riparian areas and associated uplands to support healthy watersheds, viable native fish, wildlife and plant habitats. /
ER2 - Develop and implement programs to prevent the spread of existing invasive species and colonization of potential future invasive species. / / Preventing the spread and eradication of invasive species through vegetative management and native plant selection will be encouraged through the project and public participation process. / Count of noxious weed populations identified and removed.
ER3 - Implement, in coordination with public and private landowners, activities to manage forest health and wildfire risks. / / Defensible space, wildfire prevention and compliance with applicable laws will be encouraged through the project delivery and community engagement process. Includes coordination with the Tahoe Fire and Fuel Team (TFFT). / # of parcels participating in process.
ER4 - Minimize ecosystem impacts caused by existing and new development. / / This project has an element to investigate and implement residential treatment BMPs for existing and new development sites. / # of parcels.
IWM1 - Conduct local and regional water-related planning activities within the planning horizon as supported by current and future watershed science. / / The project will be working with the community to educate them on watershed processes and also providing feedback to the scientific community through monitoring and measurements. Sustainable methods, water efficiency, storm water harvesting will be encouraged through public outreach and participation.
IWM2 - Ensure collaboration among multiple jurisdictions within the Region for information exchange. / / This project fits into a regional program and utilizes collaboration and information exchange among implementing agencies.
IWM3 - Increase public education and awareness of watershed functions, protection and restoration needs to encourage stewardship by the public. / / This project includes an extensive community outreach component to inform and educate the public of the need for BMP retrofit and encourage public participation through BMP implementation, rain water harvesting, recycling, nutrient management and responsible management practices
IWM4 - Promote activities that reduce flood risk. /
IWM5 - Address climate change (e.g. water quality, water supply, groundwater recharge, flood management) in local and regional planning efforts and support efforts to continue improving the science. / / Water harvesting for reuse, groundwater recharge through stormwater infiltration, water quality improvements through restoration of stream zones and infiltration of runoff. Meteorological data will continued to be collected to understand the long term trend in rainfall and runoff with water quality and runoff volume data recorded to understand benefits. All data will be collected and distributed to the scientific community as information is collected and compiled.
IWM6 - Monitor water storage, release and exchange activities in order to improve coordination with regional planning. /

If no objectives are addressed; describe how the project relates to a challenge or opportunity of the Region:

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Project Impacts and Benefits

Please provide a summary of the expected project benefits and impacts in the table below or check N/A if not applicable; do not leave a blank cell.

If applicable describe benefits or impacts of the project with respect to:
a.  Native American Tribal Community considerations. /
b.  Disadvantaged Community considerations1. /
c.  Environmental Justice 2 considerations. /
d.  Assist the Region in adapting to effects of climate change3. / / Provide for flow routing and flow control, groundwater recharge to increase water supply.
e.  Generation or reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (e.g. green technology). / / Look to use green technology during construction to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions associated with the project.
f.  Other expected impacts or benefits that are not already mentioned elsewhere. / / Encourage xeriscaping and rain water harvesting for irrigation. Promote water reuse and discourage using local water supplies for irrigation.

1. A Disadvantaged Community is defined as a community with an annual median household (MHI) income that is less than 80 percent of the Statewide annual MHI. A map has been provided with the Project Template Instruction for reference.

2. Environmental Justice is defined as the fair treatment of people of all races, cultures, and incomes with respect to the development, adoption, implementation and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations and policies. An example of environmental justice benefit would be to improve conditions (e.g. water supply, flooding, sanitation) in an area of racial minorities

3. Climate change effects are likely to include increased flooding, extended drought, and associated secondary effects such as increased wildfire risk, erosion, and sedimentation.

IV.  Resource Management Strategies (RMS)

For each resource management strategy employed by the project, provide a one to two sentence description in the table below of how the project incorporates the strategy. A description of the Resource Management Strategies can be found in Volume 2 of the 2009 California Water Plan here: http://www.waterplan.water.ca.gov/cwpu2009/index.cfm

Resource Management Strategy / Will the Project incorporate RMS? / Description, of how RMS to be employed if applicable /
Reduce Water Demand
Agricultural Water Use Efficiency /
Urban Water Use Efficiency / / Water conservation programs help to increase urban water use efficiency
Improve Operational Efficiency and Transfers
Conveyance - Regional / local /
System Reoperation /
Water Transfers /
Increase Water Supply
Conjunctive Management & Groundwater / / groundwater recharge and restoring surface hydrology
Desalination /
Precipitation Enhancement
Recycled Municipal Water /
Surface Storage -- Regional / Local /
Improve Water Quality
Drinking Water Treatment and Distribution /
Groundwater and Aquifer Remediation /
Matching Water Quality to Use /
Pollution Prevention / / Decrease sediment and nutrient loading to the Upper Truckee River and Lake Tahoe
Salt and Salinity Management /
Urban Runoff Management / / This project will improve water quality through infiltration, source control, restoration/upgrading of infrastructure. This project is a large fine sediment contributor to Lake Tahoe in El Dorado County and is expected to yield significant load reductions for the Tahoe TMDL.
Practice Resources Stewardship
Agricultural Lands Stewardship /
Economic Incentives (Loans, Grants, and Water Pricing) /
Ecosystem Restoration /
Forest Management / / Will work with TFFT and private homeowners on defensible space and wild fire suppression
Land Use Planning and Management / / Project will be coordinated with the County of El Dorado Stormwater Management Plan
Recharge Areas Protection / / If possible, stormwater infiltration basins will be incorporated into the design. These sites have potential to recharge the aquifer.
Water-dependent Recreation /
Watershed Management / / This project will implement sustainable solutions to implement plans, programs and projects that support and enhance terrestrial life within its boundary. The project seeks to manage water quality, drainage and stormwater runoff
Improve Flood Management
Flood Risk Management /

Note: The following RMS have been omitted from the list: Conveyance-Delta and Surface Storage – CALFED.