INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. — A pair of Incline Village residents are among a group of people and entities that will be recognized Wednesday by the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency for conducting some of the most comprehensive and environmentally conscious projects in 2010 in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

Jerry and JoAn Hagy, owners of a property on David Way located a block away from Lakeshore Drive, conducted a BMP erosion control retrofit to their property last summer, installing an underground filtration system capable of trapping nutrients detrimental to Lake Tahoe's famed clarity.

Last week, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency recognized the Hagys by awarding them an Honorable Mention for the 2011 Best in the Basin Awards — a program that recognizes environmental projects that demonstrate exceptional planning, design and compatibility with Lake Tahoe's unique environment.

“Overall, the retrofit project showed an artistic sensitivity and attractive design and addressed the challenge of a steep driveway,” said Jeff Cowen, spokesman for the TRPA.

Cowen further praised the project because it will be easy to maintain in coming years.

The Hagys are particularly pleased with the project, because Rob Basile — owner of Basile Management Practices, a certified contracting company which focuses on providing BMP and landscaping design and implementation — managed to incorporate an aesthetically pleasing design into an effective erosion management project.

“It doesn't look like a drainage system,” said JoAn Hagy. “We had friends that looked at it and they were all impressed with the look of the end result.”

Basile, who spent about a week conducting the project, said his background in landscaping and civil engineering means he is able to bring properties into compliance with TRPA regulations without compromising the physical appeal of the property.

“It was a great honor to be recognized like that,” Basile said. “We are striving to build the best BMP's in the basin.”

Basile's design utilizes natural vegetation and soil which surround the channels made of small stones.

“The stones filter sediment, while the vegetation filters out nutrients,” Basile said.

Fine sediment — particularly small grains of sand used by country road departments during the winter to give drivers traction on the road — has been identified by scientists as one of the principal causes of Lake Tahoe's incremental decline in water clarity.

Nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen are food sources for algae, which has begun to appear in greater concentration in the nearshore environment of Lake Tahoe.

JoAn Hagy said the recognition came as a pleasant surprise.

“It's a great combination when you can improve the look of your home along with complying with the TRPA rules,” she said.

The Village Shopping Center in Incline will also be recognized as BMP Retrofit winners, along with all the winners, at Wednesday's TRPA Governing Board meeting, beginning at 9:30 a.m., at the North Tahoe Event Center in Kings Beach.

This is the 21st year the agency has recognized residents and entities with Best on the Basin awards.

The winners The 2010 Best in the Basin project winners are: Sustainable Maintenance: Nevada Department of Transportation and Washoe County Decant Basins, Spooner Summit and Washoe County Incline Village Maintenance Yard Erosion Control: City of South Lake Tahoe Al Tahoe Project 1, Pasadena and Lakeview avenues Restoration: Homewood Mountain Resort Road Restoration, Homewood BMP Retrofit: Village Shopping Center, Incline Village BMP Retrofit Honorable Mention: Hagy Residence, 690 David Drive, Incline Village Commercial Modification: The DIY Center, 1875 Lake Tahoe Blvd., South Lake Tahoe Residential Modification/Shorezone: Houghton-Berry Residence, Rubicon Bay