League supports lake-friendly roadways

Why does the League to Save Lake Tahoe so strongly support the three- lane roadway design that Placer County has selected, identifying it as the “environmentally preferred” alternative for the Kings Beach Commercial Core?
There are many reasons, but the simple answer is that three-lane plan will be more effective at “Keeping Tahoe Blue” then the four-lane alternative.

The three-lane design which includes roundabouts and expanded sidewalks will be considerably better at reducing and trapping fine sediments that impact lake clarity. The differences in water quality benefits between the alternatives are four fold.

First, Total Maximum Daily Load research conducted by the Lahontan Regional Water Board demonstrates that 72 percent of fine sediments are derived from urban runoff and that the major source of these particles is roadways. During winter road maintenance sand and gravel are placed on roadways and ground into fine sediments by passing cars. Particles then enter the lake by aerial transport and surface runoff.

Desert Research Institute studies confirm there is a 4-to-1 difference in winter versus summer road dust emissions as a result of wintertime traction control applications. Based on California Department of Transportation data, calculations demonstrate that the four lane plan will require a 50 percent increase of sanding materials compared to the three-lane design.

This increase translates to 33.7 tons per year of additional sand and represents 1.2 percent of the entire annual sanding application placed by Caltrans in Placer County’s portion of the basin.

Second, research from DRI illustrates that there is an exponential increase of fine particle transport associated with higher vehicle speeds. The creation of narrower lanes and roundabouts will decrease speeds thus resulting in a reduction of sediments to the lake.

Third, the three lane design includes a 15-foot sidewalk area with integrated landscaping allowing for better infiltration and more opportunities to install greater numbers and different sizes of and types of best management practices. Furthermore, if pervious materials are included in sidewalk design, the three-lane plan, with its expansive sidewalk area will allow for greater infiltration of storm water and associated pollutants.

Fourth, the four-lane plan will require one to three additional construction seasons, thereby impacting water quality through detrimental effects of a longer construction period and delaying the completion of fully functioning BMPs and resulting benefits to lake clarity.

The League has been asked by opponents of the three-lane design how we are able to support a plan that may divert some traffic through residential neighborhoods, as well as have negative impacts on traffic flow.

There are a number of solutions that can be employed to calm and deter traffic in the backstreets including speed bumps, stop signs, and island barriers and we accept Placer County’s reassurance that they will deal effectively with backstreet safety issues.

The three-lane plan addresses a long-term solution to the underlying problem in the basin — there are more people wishing to visit Lake Tahoe via private automobile than the area has the capacity to handle. The pedestrian and cyclist friendly three-lane plan will encourage people to get out of their cars and choose more lake friendly transportation options. We applaud the efforts of the Kings Beach Community and Placer County at making this crucial step in reducing dependence on the private automobile.

The three-lane plan is the best option for the lake, maximizing reduction of pollutants affecting clarity and decreasing dependency on the private automobile. We believe it is also the best option for creating an attractive and thriving community of the future; one that will be able to take pride in what it has done for Lake Tahoe. Thank you, Kings Beach community and Placer County, for rallying to the effort to Keep Tahoe Blue.

Submitted on behalf of the League to Save Lake Tahoe by Nicole Gergans, program advocate.