STATELINE, Nev. – The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency’s (TRPA) governing board met on Wednesday and approved motions on the Tahoe Keys Marina project and reducing microplastics from monopine towers. They also denied an appeal for a buoy and removed the item regarding a commercial warehouse in Meyers.
During initial public comment, Meyers residents largely opposed the Keulper Commercial Warehouse rebuild and expansion. District 5 supervisor Brooke Laine said that she was interested in having more public engagement around the project, and the item was pulled from the agenda.
The governing board denied an application for a mooring buoy at Rubicon Avenue, which did not have any authorization from a federal or state agency with jurisdiction at Tahoe. The mooring buoy was “grandfathered” in according to the appeal, but no evidence was found that the buoy was actually authorized for use.
The Tahoe Keys Marina project included proposed amendments to allow for additional height for the marina buildings. Suntex Marinas, which acquired the marina in 2021, has been cooperating with the TRPA to update the facilities.
Keep Tahoe Blue and policy director Gavin Feiger expressed support for the project, noting that they had originally considered trying to buy the marina. Suntex and Keep Tahoe Blue have a binding MOU that expresses support and the ability to hold Suntex accountable for environmental impacts. The MOU also includes provisions for more education, interpretive signage, sites open to nonprofits and permit conditions around the containment of aquatic invasive species.
There was also support from the Tahoe Chamber and Windjammers Yacht Club, with the hopes that the marina would maintain public access.
The project is set to begin construction in spring of 2027 and is projected to finish in two years.
The board also adopted amendments to the code for wireless telecommunication poles, which have used plastics in the past. Referred to as Plastic Screening Material or PSM, the plastic pine needles may shed microplastics. The amendment notes that it is not the preferred material, but if it must be used, will require measures to minimize deterioration of the PSM.
During executive director Julie Regan’s report, she said that they would have an item regarding glyphosate in the Tahoe Basin on the July agenda.
She also shared that public information officer Jeff Cowen will become the Shoreline Outreach manager, and that the TRPA will be hiring a new public information officer.
The next TRPA governing board meeting will take place on July 22.
