- Crew removes bottom barrier mats
INCLINE VILLAGE Nev. (Tuesday, June 27, 2017)— Tahoe Fund announced today that it has accepted a challenge issued by the Tahoe Water Suppliers Association to raise over $26,000 to help purchase 175 bottom barrier mats that will be used to kill aquatic invasive weeds around the Lake. The current inventory of bottom barriers is 1.6 acres short of the maximum 5 acres of coverage permitted for Tahoe. Every dollar the Tahoe Fund raises will be matched by the Tahoe Water Suppliers Association.
“We’ve seen the impact these mats have on aquatic invasive weeds. In Emerald Bay, the mats led to complete eradication,” said Amy Berry, Tahoe Fund CEO. “We are dedicated to doing all we can to support projects like this that have long-lasting positive impacts on the Lake we love. With this match, our donors’ generosity will have twice the impact.”
Aquatic invasive plants negatively impact the water quality around the shoreline of Lake Tahoe. Through a well-coordinated program, the Tahoe Resource Conservation District has been able to remove aquatic invasive weeds with the use of bottom barriers and diver-assisted hand pulling. The Tahoe Water Suppliers Association has issued a matching challenge to help ensure the remaining bottom barriers can be purchased. With the full inventory of mats, more aquatic invasive weeds will be removed from the Lake and the water quality will be improved.
The AIS Bottom Barriers Challenge is one of Tahoe Fund’s Signature Projects for 2017. Fundraising is expected to continue through the summer. Donations in support of this and other environmental improvement projects around the Lake can be made at tahoefund.org/donate.