With 99.994% purity, Tahoe tap water was voted the best tasting water in the country by the National Rural Water Association. The Tahoe Fund is partnering with the Tahoe Water Suppliers Association to encourage more people to DRINK TAHOE TAP to reduce the use of single-use plastics. Grants are now available to organizations in the Tahoe Basin to install water bottle refill stations. To apply for a grant, organizations can visit DRINKTAHOETAP.org.

“The Tahoe area is set apart by having award-winning water available in our communities. The Tahoe Tap Water Bottle Filling Station Grant Program is intended to promote greater access for both visitors and locals to Tahoe Tap at businesses and facilities,” said Madonna Dunbar, executive director of the Tahoe Water Suppliers Association. “It’s a win-win, resulting in fewer single use plastic bottle waste in the environment and greater tap water access for people. TWSA is delighted to partner with Tahoe Fund on this project.”

Available on a first-come basis, $500 grants will be offered to Basin businesses who complete the application, install water bottle refill stations and submit proof of installation and payment. The program was designed to encourage environmental stewardship and reduce the use of single-use plastics by providing a way to easily refill reusable water bottles. Visitors and local residents can easily find nearby water bottle refill stations by using the free TAP app at https://findtap.com.

“We are happy to make it easier for people to reduce and reuse while refueling on some of the best water in the country,” said Cory Ritchie, Tahoe Fund board member. “Our partnership with TWSA provides an opportunity for our donors to help inspire greater stewardship of Lake Tahoe.”

Learn more about the DRINK TAHOE TAP initiative at DRINKTAHOETAP.org.

Hundreds Join Governor Sisolak for Ribbon Cutting

What was once considered “impossible” is now complete because of your support. The new Tahoe East Shore Trail opened on Friday with a ribbon cutting by Governor Sisolak and hundreds of members of the community. We couldn’t have done it without you.

With your support, we were able to raise over $1 million in private funds from more than 550 private donors that unlocked more than $12.5M in federal dollars needed for the trail’s construction.

“We are so thankful to the hundreds of donors who contributed to the path, helping to secure the public funding needed to make this ‘Impossible Trail’ possible,” Tahoe Fund CEO Amy Berry stated. “As people enjoy the path, we know they will be touched by its beauty and want to continue to help us take care of Tahoe’s environment. This wouldn’t be possible without the epic collaboration of the 13 partners and the craftsmanship of Granite Construction.”

The Tahoe East Shore Trail is part of a larger shared vision to ultimately connect all of the communities, parks, beaches, businesses and other destinations that circle Lake Tahoe, while enhancing safety by separating vehicle, bicycle and pedestrian traffic.

The first three-mile section of trail represents a major milestone in this effort and required extensive collaboration of 13 public and private agencies that included NDOT, the Tahoe Transportation District, Federal Highway Administration, Incline Village General Improvement District, Nevada Department of Public Safety-Highway Patrol, Nevada Division of State Lands, Nevada Division of State Parks, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, U.S. Forest Service-Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California, and the three Nevada-side counties that govern Lake Tahoe – Carson City, Douglas, and Washoe.

Bears and trout are still available for donations of $2,500 and $5,000 respectively. All donations of $100 or more will be recognized on a new donor wall at Hidden Beach.

Some fun facts about the trail:

• Six bridges were installed along the three-mile path, the longest being 810-feet long
• 17 vista points and 23 interpretive panels were constructed along the pathway to enhance the visitor experience
• More than 5,000 linear feet of storm drain pipe, including 80 drainage inlets and 26,000 linear feet of curb and gutter, were installed for erosion control to help maintain Tahoe’s famed clarity by reducing sediment into Lake Tahoe
• Approximately 90 new parking spots with direct access to the path are available at three new parking lots located alongside State Route 28 in Incline Village.

For more information about how to donate, visit tahoefund.org/donate.

Submit suggestions and vote before trail opens on July 12

Thanks to a regional collaborative effort between the Tahoe Area Mountain Biking Association (TAMBA), the Truckee Tahoe Airport, the U.S. Forest Service, the Tahoe Fund and the North Tahoe Public Utility District (NTPUD), a new multi-use trail with mountain bike features is being built for public use in Kings Beach. The trail and parking improvements will be accessible from the Forest Service access road off of Beaver Street.

Not only will this new multi-use trail offer a fun way to experience the national forest lands in Kings Beach, it will help reduce erosion and keep sediment from flowing into the nearby Griff Creek.

“This is an excellent example of partnership and community engagement on a project that will truly make a difference for both the land and trail users,” said US Forest Service trails engineer, Jacob Quinn. “We’re excited to build on the already significant public engagement in this project with the trail naming campaign. These trails and the surrounding public land are an important part of the community and we want to honor that relationship by reaching out and working together in naming this amazing new trail.”

The group building the trail is seeking name ideas from the community. Trail name submissions can be submitted online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/KingsBeachTrail. There is no limit on entries.

Submissions will be accepted until 5 p.m. on June 27, 2019. The organizations building the trail, the U.S. Forest Service, TAMBA, Tahoe Fund and the NTPUD, will narrow the entries down to three options. The community will be able to vote for the new trail name between July 1-8, 2019. The winner will be announced on Friday, July 12 at the new trail’s ribbon cutting and grand opening.