Tahoe Sierra IRWM

Fremont Water Quality Improvement Project

I.  Project Proponent Information

Agency/ Organization / City of South Lake Tahoe
Name of Primary Contact / Ray Jarvis, Public Works Director
Name of Secondary Contact / Jason Burke, Stormwater Program Coordinator
Mailing Address / 1052 Tata Lane, South Lake Tahoe
E-mail / ,
Phone / (530) 542-6031, (530) 542-6038
Other Cooperating Agencies/Organizations/Stakeholders / California Tahoe Conservancy, Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board
Is your agency/organization committed to the project through completion? If not, please explain / Yes, if adequate funding is acquired, the project will be completed.

II.  General Project Information

Project Title / Fremont Pipe Water Quality Improvement Project
Project Category /
Project Description
(Briefly describe the project, in 300 words or less) / The Fremont Pipe Water Quality Improvement Project will provide treatment of commercial core and roadway urban runoff in a high priority catchment directly connected to Lake Tahoe via an existing outfall discharge pipe. The project proposes to utilize pre-treatment and infiltration of urban runoff to reduce pollutant loading to the lake. The stormwater treatment project would complement the California Tahoe Conservancy (CTC) conceptual plans for the Lakeview Lookout park at the former Alta Mira building site, directly above the storm drain outfall into Lake Tahoe.
Project Prioritization: / Total number of projects submitted by your Agency: / 12
Agency Prioritization of this project (e.g., 3 of 5) / 6 of 12
Does this project contribute to a larger Project (e.g., TMDL, EIP, Phase 2 of 3) ? If so provide description. / Yes, this project is a critical component of the City’s 2021 TMDL compliance strategy.
Political Support – List related MOUs, agreements or TACs currently in place. / The Fremont Pipe Water Quality Improvement Project is a new project pending preliminary design and planning. The project is in response to the California Tahoe Conservancy acquisition of the Alta Mira site, and conceptual planning process for the Lakeview Lookout public park and access project. The proposed Fremont Pipe Water Quality Improvement Project would complement the new CTC public park.
Project Location:
Latitude: / 38.945526
Longitude: / -119.971044
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 area is located in the commercial area along Lake Tahoe Blvd (Hwy 50) from Treehaven Ct. on the southernmost boundary to Lake Tahoe Blvd (Hwy 50) on the north. The project drainage area includes 13.3 acres of commercial core area directly connected to Lake Tahoe via the prominently visible Freemont Ave. Pipe also known as the Don Cheapos, Alta Mira outfall.

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 Project is a key component to the City's strategy for compliance with the Lake Tahoe TMDL as the Project treats high pollutant load storm water discharged directly to Lake Tahoe. The Project will be registered into the Lake Clarity Crediting Program following implementation. / Stormwater treatment for the 13.3 acre watershed. Preliminary TMDL pollutant load modeling indicates this 13.3 acre watershed contributes 4,700 lbs. of Fine Sediment Particles per year, and 8.4 acre feet of runoff per year.
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. / / The Project will treat urban stormwater runoff discharged directly to Lake Tahoe. / Stormwater treatment for the 13.3 acre watershed. Preliminary TMDL pollutant load modeling indicates this 13.3 acre watershed contributes 4,700 lbs. of Fine Sediment Particles per year, and 8.4 acre feet of runoff per year.
WQ3 - Implement water quality monitoring programs through planning horizon, and coordinate annually throughout the Region. / / -- / --
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. / / The Project includes stormwater improvements designed to mimic natural systems to spread, treat, infiltrate, and retain flows from roadways, commercial areas, and urban areas in order to reduce impacts to Lake Tahoe from the high priority, directly connected urban catchment. / Stormwater treatment for the 13.3 acre watershed. Preliminary TMDL pollutant load modeling indicates this 13.3 acre watershed contributes 4,700 lbs. of Fine Sediment Particles per year, and 8.4 acre feet of runoff per year.
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. / / -- / --
GWM1 - Maintain and monitor groundwater supply to assure future reliability. / / The Project will include beneficial use of storm water for infiltration and recharge of groundwater. / Stormwater treatment for the 13.3 acre watershed. Preliminary TMDL pollutant load modeling indicates this 13.3 acre watershed contributes 4,700 lbs. of Fine Sediment Particles per year, and 8.4 acre feet of runoff per year.
GWM2 - Promote groundwater protection activities for high quality groundwater, and advocate for improvements to impacted groundwater quality through public education. / / -- / --
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. / / The Project includes stormwater improvements designed to mimic natural systems to treat, infiltrate, and retain flows from roadways, commercial areas, and urban areas in order to reduce impacts to Lake Tahoe from the high priority, directly connected urban catchment. / Stormwater treatment for the 13.3 acre watershed. Preliminary TMDL pollutant load modeling indicates this 13.3 acre watershed contributes 4,700 lbs. of Fine Sediment Particles per year, and 8.4 acre feet of runoff per year.
ER2 - Develop and implement programs to prevent the spread of existing invasive species and colonization of potential future invasive species. / / -- / --
ER3 - Implement, in coordination with public and private landowners, activities to manage forest health and wildfire risks. / / -- / --
ER4 - Minimize ecosystem impacts caused by existing and new development. / / The Project includes stormwater improvements designed to mimic natural systems to treat, infiltrate, and retain flows from roadways, commercial areas, and urban areas in order to reduce impacts to Lake Tahoe from the high priority, directly connected urban catchment. / Stormwater treatment for the 13.3 acre watershed. Preliminary TMDL pollutant load modeling indicates this 13.3 acre watershed contributes 4,700 lbs. of Fine Sediment Particles per year, and 8.4 acre feet of runoff per year.
IWM1 - Conduct local and regional water-related planning activities within the planning horizon as supported by current and future watershed science. / / -- / --
IWM2 - Ensure collaboration among multiple jurisdictions within the Region for information exchange. / / The Project will involve collaboration between the City other public land holders (California Tahoe Conservancy and US Forest Service) for use of public lands in the Project area for water quality treatment. / Stormwater treatment for the 13.3 acre watershed. Preliminary TMDL pollutant load modeling indicates this 13.3 acre watershed contributes 4,700 lbs. of Fine Sediment Particles per year, and 8.4 acre feet of runoff per year.
IWM3 - Increase public education and awareness of watershed functions, protection and restoration needs to encourage stewardship by the public. / / Through outreach efforts associated with the Project, there will be an increased public awareness of water quality issues. / --
IWM4 - Promote activities that reduce flood risk. / / The Project will reduce flood risk via infiltration/storage of stormwater runoff. / Stormwater treatment for the 13.3 acre watershed. Preliminary TMDL pollutant load modeling indicates this 13.3 acre watershed contributes 4,700 lbs. of Fine Sediment Particles per year, and 8.4 acre feet of runoff per year.
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. / / The Project will reduce flood risk via infiltration/storage of stormwater runoff. / Stormwater treatment for the 13.3 acre watershed. Preliminary TMDL pollutant load modeling indicates this 13.3 acre watershed contributes 4,700 lbs. of Fine Sediment Particles per year, and 8.4 acre feet of runoff per year.
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. / / The IRWM Disadvantaged Communities Mapping Tool identifies the entire City of South Lake Tahoe as a Disadvantaged Community (Place ID# 063108). The tool indicates the Median Household Income (MHI) in the City is $41,004, while the Statewide MHI is $61,094 for the same data set. The City MHI is 67% of the Statewide MHI, well below the 80% threshold.
c.  Environmental Justice 2 considerations. /
d.  Assist the Region in adapting to effects of climate change3. /
e.  Generation or reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (e.g. green technology). /
f.  Other expected impacts or benefits that are not already mentioned elsewhere. /

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 /
Improve Operational Efficiency and Transfers
Conveyance - Regional / local /
System Reoperation /
Water Transfers /
Increase Water Supply
Conjunctive Management & Groundwater / / The Project provides for beneficial reuse of stormwater through infiltration and treatment of urban runoff; thereby, storing runoff to recharge groundwater.
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 / / The Project will reduce high pollutant load urban stormwater runoff to Lake Tahoe through water quality treatment and infiltration.
Salt and Salinity Management /
Urban Runoff Management / / The Project will reduce high pollutant load urban runoff to Lake Tahoe through water quality treatment and infiltration.
Practice Resources Stewardship
Agricultural Lands Stewardship /
Economic Incentives (Loans, Grants, and Water Pricing) /
Ecosystem Restoration / / The Project will reduce pollutant loading to Lake Tahoe from urban runoff, in an effort to promote restoration of the impaired water body through the water quality improvements.
Forest Management /
Land Use Planning and Management /
Recharge Areas Protection /
Water-dependent Recreation / / The Lake Tahoe's economic vitality depends on lake clarity and water-dependent recreation. Treating runoff from the Tahoe Valley Project will help preserve Lake Tahoe's world renowned color and clarity, which is vital to the region's recreation and economy.
Watershed Management /
Improve Flood Management
Flood Risk Management / / The Project will reduce flood risk via infiltration/storage of stormwater runoff.

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