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Douglas County and NDOT agree to build stormwater treatment basins to improve Lake Tahoe water quality
Summary
The Board approved an interlocal agreement with the Nevada Department of Transportation to construct three stormwater detention/treatment basins near Marla Bay and Pine Wild. NDOT will fund construction, the county will maintain the basins, and the project is expected to generate TMDL credits for Lake Tahoe clarity objectives.
Douglas County commissioners unanimously approved an interlocal agreement with the Nevada Department of Transportation to build stormwater treatment basins intended to reduce runoff and sediment flowing into Lake Tahoe from Highway 50 and adjacent neighborhoods.
Courtney Walker, the county's stormwater program manager, described a partnership with NDOT, private landowners and the Nevada Tahoe Conservation District to place three detention/treatment basins in the Marla Bay/Pine Wild area south of Zephyr Cove. The basins will capture runoff from Zephyr Heights and Highway 50 and provide water-quality treatment that supports the Tahoe Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) program.
Preliminary modeling cited by staff estimates Douglas County will receive roughly 13.9 TMDL credits and NDOT about 10.1 credits when the project is constructed and registered under the regional program. Walker said NDOT will contribute construction funding and Douglas County will assume long-term maintenance responsibility; the county estimated modest maintenance costs (about $5,000 per year, spread over multiyear maintenance cycles) that fit into the stormwater operations budget.
To access the site and maintain the basins, the county will accept a conservation and drainage easement from the Patrick K. Willis family trust and a permanent access easement from Pine Wild Condominium Homeowners Association, per the agreements presented. NDOT must execute the stormwater facilities agreement and provide proof of funds for construction before the county finalizes the dedications.
Commissioners praised the regional partnership and approved the interlocal agreement and associated easement acceptances on a unanimous vote. The county noted this project helps meet five-year TMDL milestones and provides infrastructure that reduces fine sediment discharges that degrade Lake Tahoe clarity.
