The California Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) has awarded $2.98 million to the California Tahoe Conservancy to help restore the Upper Truckee Marsh, the largest wetland in the Lake Tahoe Basin.
“We’re grateful to the Wildlife Conservation Board for its support,” said Conservancy Board Chair and City of South Lake Tahoe representative, Brooke Laine.
“This new funding closes a gap for one of the most important environmental restoration projects in Lake Tahoe’s history.”
This WCB grant provides a critical portion of funds needed for the $10.6 million restoration project.
In addition to the Conservancy, other project funders include the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, the U.S. Geological Survey, and the Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board.
Restoring the Marsh will improve water quality and enrich native fish and bird habitat. The Marsh will act as a natural pollution filter, removing fine sediment from the water before it reaches Lake Tahoe. It will also be more resilient to droughts, flooding, and other climate change impacts, according to the Conservancy.
Under the plan, the Conservancy will also enhance public access and recreation opportunities in the northwest corner of the Marsh.