MAP News


Stay up to date with Mountain Area Preservation by signing up for our Monthly E-Newsletter. MAP News highlights are featured below and our past monthly e-newsletters can be accessed on our Archive Webpage.


February E-News

February E-News

8th Annual Wild & Scenic Film Festival Hosted by MAP 

Save The Date + Tickets Go on Sale March 8th  

Mark your calendar and make a plan to join MAP at the 8th Annual Wild and Scenic Film Festival coming to Truckee Tahoe for Earth Day 2024. Get ready for awe-inspiring, family-friendly, environmental, and adventure-based films and a raffle to benefit MAP’s priority conservation work! 

MAP will host the festival at two separate events. The first event will be MAP’s custom film program on Friday, April 19, from 6:00 to 9:00 pm at the Community Arts Center in Historic Downtown Truckee. The second event will be the Wild Child Kids’ program at the  Truckee Tahoe Earth Day Festival on Saturday, April 20th, in the Village a Palisades, a FREE film program from 11 am to 5 pm. 

Tickets go on sale to the public on Friday, March 8th, online at MAP’s website. Stay tuned via social media and our enewsletter for the launch of ticket sales, our sponsors' announcement, the event trailer's release, and more!

Wild & Scenic | Volunteers Needed

This year, with hosting two events, we will need some extra volunteers to support the festival. MAP is looking for help with setting up the event, clean up, checking in festival guests, serving popcorn, selling raffle tickets, and more. 

To sign up for volunteering on either Friday, April 19th or Saturday, April 20th, email us at info@mapf.org. All volunteers will receive MAP logo wear, three raffle tickets, and an opportunity to purchase a discounted general admission pass to the festival on Friday, 4/19, in Truckee. Sign up early for a volunteer slot and get these great perks!

Sign On & Endorse MAP’s Legal Challenge of the TRPA’s Housing Amendments 

Earlier this month, MAP filed a lawsuit challenging the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency’s (TRPA) Phase 2 Housing Amendments due to the agency’s failure to complete the required environmental review and commit to implementing necessary mitigation measures. Additionally, we do not believe that providing massive incentives for projects with no income cap on the basis that they will magically be affordable enough for local workers makes sense for our community or environment. 


Since the petition went live, 280 community members have signed on to show support. TRPA is trying to paint us as a small group of NIMBYs who just want to say no to everything. Let’s prove them wrong. MAP, our grassroots members, and other supporters are solution-oriented and want to be involved in creative solutions that lead to the construction of socially and environmentally just workforce housing. Endorse MAP’s legal challenge, and let’s show the TRPA that there are real solutions out there that protect our mountains and protect the workforce.

Support MAP’s TRPA Advocacy Fund

We understand that a legal challenge against the TRPA is an uphill battle, but just because something is hard doesn’t mean it isn’t worth doing. The land use decisions we make today will shape the future of Lake Tahoe forever, which is why we’re bringing the TRPA’s violations to a court of law. Your contribution is critical. It supports efforts to advocate for proper environmental analysis and fight for just workforce housing that considers Tahoe’s unique environment, mitigates impacts, and protects public safety. 

Make a Contribution to MAP’s Advocacy Fund

MAP Land Use Lunch Hour on Thursday, March 7th at Noon | TRPA Legal Challenge Series 

RESCHEDULED - Join MAP for our next Land Use Lunch Hour on March 7th at 12:00 pm on Zoom. We know that speaking land use is like speaking another language, so this monthly program is designed to break it all down, answer your questions, and allow you to learn about important land use happenings. During the next few Land Use Lunch Hours, we will discuss our legal arguments against the TRPA’s Phase 2 Housing Amendments and violating the Bi-State Compact. Next week, find out more about TRPA’s last-minute code changes and how the TRPA violated and weakened their own affordable housing policies. We hope to see you on March 7th!

Sign Up for MAP’s March Land Use Lunch Hour

MAP Business Member Spotlight | Mitch Clarin 

MAP Business Members support our priority land use campaigns, special events, and community outreach programs. Membership donations help to fuel our advocacy efforts, and Mitch Clarin, Real Estate Broker, and General Contractor is our Business Member to spotlight this month. 

Mitch cares about the environment, community, and character of Truckee Tahoe and shows it through the many hats he wears for nonprofits and public service by giving back to his special home in the mountains. 

Thank you, Mitch, for supporting MAP and our mission. To learn more about MAP’s Business Member Program, the businesses that support MAP, and how your business or organization can join, go to our website. 

Become A MAP Business Member

Boatworks Redevelopment Notice of Preparation (NOP) 

You may be asking what NOP means, and it’s the notice to the public and regulatory stakeholders that a new land use application to change the built and natural environment is potentially underway. That is precisely what is being proposed in Tahoe City’s Town Center. A new, larger Boatworks redevelopment project is being proposed, and the first step in the public process is the Notice of Preparation (NOP). 

We attended the NOP scoping meeting the other night and will submit comments by tomorrow’s deadline, February 29th, by 5 pm to Placer County Planner Heather Beckman. If you missed the NOP meeting or the initial routing on this project, take a peek at the presentation from the NOP scoping meeting

Currently, the Boatworks site contains longstanding commercial and tourism uses cherished in Tahoe City with 1 - 3 stories, 46,000+ square feet of commercial space, 176 parking spaces, and 34 motel rooms. 

Boatworks at Tahoe, LLC., the new redevelopment team proposes the following: 

  • 79 hotel rooms

  • 29 residential condo-hotel units 

  • 6,000+ sf conference facilities

  • 11,530 sf spa

  • Swimming pools and fitness center

  • 7,000+ sf commercial

  • 5,485 sf food and beverage space

  • 56,000+ sf parking (155 spaces) 

  • Considering another 20 spaces based on the approval of TBAP and the potential for an interception with groundwater table 

  • Max 56 feet 
    Take a look at the development proposal and the Placer County NOP. If you have a chance, send in comments to Placer County, cdraecs@er.ca.gov

Tahoe Basin Area Plan at TRPA Governing Board Today 

The FINAL HEARING in the Tahoe Basin Area Plan (TBAP) amendments process is underway today at the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) Governing Board meeting, starting no earlier than 11:45 am at the North Tahoe Events Center in Kings Beach. If you are able, tune in and make comments before the final decision is made.

Governing Board Meeting Information

The amendments, which would apply to the portion of Placer County’s jurisdiction within the Tahoe Basin, are intended to incentivize revitalization of North Tahoe’s Town Centers. However, significant concerns stem from the proposed housing amendments, which include allowing certain multi-family developments by right, removing setbacks and minimum lot areas per dwelling, and reducing parking requirements, lot widths, and minimum lot sizes. 

There may be certain locations within North Tahoe where these kinds of incentives would work and result in the construction of the projects Tahoe so desperately needs, particularly workforce housing. These changes can negatively impact the community and environment, and those impacts still need to be fully analyzed in an updated environmental review process. Placer County continues to rely on outdated data to support their proposal. If possible, join the Governing Board meeting today and share your thoughts on the proposal before final action is taken. Learn more on MAP’s TBAP webpage

Placer County Housing Rezone | Draft Environmental Impact Report 

Over the last year, the Placer County Housing Rezone program has taken many shapes. With 72 sites, then 74 sites, and now only 19 sites in all of Placer County (minus the Lake Tahoe Basin) will be analyzed in the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR). MAP has been keeping a watchful eye on this process and specifically commenting on the parcels near Truckee Tahoe. 

The Draft Environmental Impact Report is available for review on the Environmental Coordination Services webpage: Housing Element Sites Rezone | Placer County, CA. Comments on the draft EIR can be submitted by 5 pm on March 18 via email to cdraecs@placer.ca.gov. To receive updates on the housing rezone, sign up here.

Town of Truckee Seeks Two Additional Community Members 

to Join R2SC Steering Committee

The Town of Truckee is looking for two local residents to join an important committee to help shape the downtown area's future. The River Revitalization Steering Committee (R2SC) was formed in 2023 to work collaboratively with landowners, business owners, and other Truckee River stakeholders to create opportunities for the revitalization of the river corridor.

A diverse group of 16 local community members were appointed last fall. Now the Town is looking to fill two additional residential seats with community members who live in the area. Residents who live on East River Street, West River Street (including Donner Creek Mobile Home Park), Riverside Drive or Foxmead Lane are invited to submit a letter of interest by March 1, 2024. People can send the letter via email to Truckee’s Assistant to the Town Manager, Hilary Hobbs, at: HHobbs@townoftruckee.com. The committee meets on the first Tuesday of each month from 5 - 7 p.m. at Town Hall.
You can learn more about the R2SC at www.TownofTruckee.com/river

January E-News

January E-News

 

The snow has finally arrived, and MAP is ramping up for another big year of grassroots environmental advocacy! We have our sights set on critical open space to protect in the Martis Valley and North Lake Tahoe; we are working diligently to advocate for meaningful workforce housing policies, programs, and projects and staying up to date and engaged in community planning processes for North Lake Tahoe and Truckee, all while tracking 20 development applications, which is critical environmental advocacy for the region. 

MAP will also bring back in 2024 both of our signature events, the 8th Annual Wild & Scenic Film Festival and the 14th Annual Sierra Forage Dinner, and finally, we plan to finish our community benefit project in Historic Downtown Truckee by bringing a shade structure to life at the Trout Creek Pocket Park
It's going to be a big year, and we will need all the help we can get as a grassroots organization from our members, conservation partners, and followers. Join the movement, become a MAP member, and give back to the place you love - Truckee Tahoe!

Save the Date | 8th Annual Wild & Scenic Returns to Truckee Tahoe

Save The Date - Mountain Area Preservation (MAP) will bring the Wild and Scenic Film Festival back to Truckee Tahoe for Earth Day 2024! MAP will host the festival at two separate events. The first event will be MAP’s custom film program on Friday, April 19, from 6:00 to 9:00 pm at the Community Arts Center in Historic Downtown Truckee. The second event will be the Wild Child Kids’ program at the  Truckee Tahoe Earth Day Festival on Saturday, April 20th, in the Village a Palisades, a FREE film program at the Earth Day Festival from 11 am to 5 pm. 

Mark your calendar and make a plan to join MAP at the 8th Annual Wild and Scenic Film Festival and get ready for awe-inspiring, family-friendly, environmental, and adventure-based films, as well as a raffle to benefit MAP’s priority conservation work! Tickets go on sale to the public on Friday, March 8th online at https://www.mountainareapreservation.org/wsff

Right now, MAP Staff and our Film Festival Committee are seeking sponsor support and raffle donations to help make the film festival successful and sustainable. If you are interested in sponsoring or providing an in-kind donation, see our sponsorship opportunities on our website and reach out to Alexis@mapf.org with any questions.

Thank You 2023 MAP Supporters 

Thank you to the 618 supporters who made MAP happen in 2023. Whether you contributed to MAP’s membership program, summer raffle, the Sierra Forgae Dinner, event sponsorship, business membership, priority land use campaign funds, Give Back Tahoe, or Advocacy Planned Giving, your financial support fuels MAP’s grassroots environmental advocacy efforts. We are truly grateful for your donations and belief in our mission and work. 
If you missed your chance to become a member in 2023, make it your 2024 resolution to help power Truckee Tahoe environmental advocacy and make a positive impact this year by becoming a MAP Member!

Tahoe Basin Area Plan - Final Hearing
Just one hearing remains in the Placer County Tahoe Basin Area Plan (TBAP) amendments process. The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) Governing Board will review the amendments on February 28th. Join MAP for your last opportunity to weigh in on the controversial proposal prior to adoption. 

Governing Board Meeting Information

The amendments are intended to incentivize redevelopment in North Tahoe’s town centers, Tahoe City and Kings Beach. Here at MAP, we support that vision but do not believe that this package of proposals will make that vision a reality. There are a wide variety of modifications on the table, but most notably are those related to housing. The biggest concerns stem from the proposals to allow certain multi-family developments by right, remove setbacks and minimum lot areas

per dwelling, and reduce parking requirements, lot widths, and minimum lot sizes in some areas. These amendments might work in specific locations, but in many areas, they would detract from the quality of life and character in North Lake Tahoe. Learn more and join MAP at the Governing Board hearing on February 28th.

Learn More About the TBAP Amendments

TRPA Housing Amendments 

Last month, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency’s (TRPA) Governing Board greenlighted unlimited density, unlimited lot coverage, and 65’ building heights for workforce and affordable housing in Tahoe’s town centers. Only one member of the Governing Board, Nevada Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar, sided with the vast majority of the public who weighed in on the amendments (over 60 verbal comments and thousands of pages of written comments), questioning the lack of environmental analysis and impacts on safety, community character, and emergency evacuation.

This scale of development has never before been contemplated in the basin, and these amendments rely on outdated environmental review from 2012. There is a housing crisis in Lake Tahoe, but providing incentives for housing with no income cap will not help those who need housing most. MAP and others advocated for innovative alternatives and updated environmental analysis, but those suggestions were disregarded. The Governing Board adjusted the amendments before adoption, but overall, this is a loss for Lake Tahoe, and the TRPA isn’t done yet.

So, what’s next? Local jurisdictions now have one year to “opt-out” of the amendments if their current codes are inconsistent with those just adopted by the TRPA. That said, the TRPA hasn’t defined the process for local jurisdictions to opt-out, so we don’t know what that will look like, but the clock is certainly ticking. Additionally, the TRPA is starting to work on Phase 3, yet another package of policy changes, code amendments, environmental review, and more. Discussions about Phase 3 were set to begin at the first Tahoe Living Working Group meeting this month, but that meeting has been postponed to an unknown date. When will the meeting be rescheduled, and what will be included in Phase 3? Only time will tell. Stay tuned for more updates as information becomes available. 

Learn About TRPA’s Phase 2 Housing Amendments

Town of Truckee River Revitalization Steering Committee
Have you heard about the Town of Truckee’s effort to re-envision, revitalize, and strengthen the health and wellness of the Truckee River? 

The River Revitalization Steering Committee (R2SC) was born out of the Truckee 2040 General Plan, with the goal of tackling the opportunity to revitalize both West and East River Street along the Truckee River corridor adjacent to Historic Downtown Truckee while also bringing the health of the river into the forefront, along with access and potential relocation of industrial uses. 

This effort will take a deep dive into the needs of the river and community in order to create a new blueprint for revitalization and restoration. Alexis Ollar, MAP Executive Director, serves as the environmental representative and 16 other committee stakeholders appointed by the Truckee Town Council in the summer of 2023. The committee started meeting in August to kick off this multi-year planning effort, and the consultant team was just hired for the process. 


R2SC meets the first Tuesday of every month at Truckee Town Hall Council Chambers, and the meetings are open to the public. The next one up is set for Tuesday, February 6th, 5 to 7 pm. To learn more about this effort and follow along, check out the website. MAP will inform our members and Truckee residents as this process develops, knowing there will be plenty of community engagement opportunities to help shape the river's vision, plan, and actions.

Placer County Housing Rezone | Board of Supervisors Workshop 

FEBRUARY 13, 2024, at 2:00 pm, Board of Supervisors Workshop in the Planning Commission Hearing Room, 3091 County Center Drive, Auburn, CA. 95603 and on Zoom. The Feb. 13 workshop will include a presentation from the Planning Services Division on the status of the Housing Element Sites Rezone program and to receive board direction to finalize the list of potential properties to be rezoned within the program.

Following the staff’s presentation, community members will have an opportunity to provide comments both in person and via Zoom. Interested persons can also sign up to receive notifications on the county’s rezone program here: Housing needs rezone program | Placer County, CA. Written comments may also be submitted in advance to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, 175 Fulweiler Ave., Auburn, CA 95603, and via email at BoardClerk@placer.ca.gov.

Truckee Fire Community Wildfire Protection Plan - Public Review Period

Truckee Fire, in collaboration with SWCA Environmental Consultants, Vibrant Planet's Land Tender decision support tool, and a diverse and representative project team and stakeholder group, has been working diligently on the Truckee Fire Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) and accompanying Story Map. This CWPP will become Truckee's wildfire mitigation roadmap into the future as we collaboratively work together on holistic, coordinated, and priority wildfire resilience projects.

The CWPP is nearing completion, and the public review period is open now and will end on February 20th, 2024. Your feedback is critical in this collaborative effort to enhance the safety and resilience of our community from uncharacteristic wildfires.

To access the draft CWPP and participate in the review process, visit the dedicated website. On the website, you will find a comment submission form to submit your valuable feedback. Truckee Fire will also host two in-person public meetings on February 7, 2024, and two virtual meetings on February 12, 2024, to discuss the plan and foster public comment on the CWPP and Story Map. Get involved and learn more at www.truckeefire/cwpp

Who’s Protecting Tahoe? 

Dana Gentry of the Nevada Current recaps the recent controversial land use decisions made by the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) and the opposition not only by Tahoe residents and environmental groups but also by Nevada Secretary of State Francisco Aguilar, a member of the TRPA’s Governing Board who opposed the Phase 2 Housing Code amendments at the Governing Board hearing on December 13, 2023. 

With the majority of opposition focused on the allowance of 65-foot-tall buildings in Town Centers, 100% coverage, unlimited density, the ability to build zero parking for future deed-restricted affordable or achievable housing, and no new environmental review since 2021, Aguilar hits the issue on the head that this will be more high-end luxury housing for Tahoe, not housing geared towards being affordable for the workforce, “My priority is the frontline worker in Tahoe, and that’s workforce housing,” Aguilar told the Current. “That’s not affordable housing. That’s not achievable housing. That’s approved workforce housing.”

Read more about the issues facing Tahoe and the TRPA land use decisions by reading the article.

TRPA’s Tahoe development plans disregard residents’ opposition
Full-time Tahoe resident Alex Tsigdinos offers his thoughts on the TRPA’s recent controversial decision to approve housing amendments that provide more height, density, and coverage in Tahoe’s town centers. Despite significant public comment and numerous alternatives presented, the TRPA disregarded concerns and moved forward with its proposal. Read the article to find out what happened and why many are questioning the very agency designed to be the Basin’s “environmental watchdog.”

TRPA’s Tahoe development plans disregard residents’ opposition
Full-time Tahoe resident Alex Tsigdinos offers his thoughts on the TRPA’s recent controversial decision to approve housing amendments that provide more height, density, and coverage in Tahoe’s town centers. Despite significant public comment and numerous alternatives presented, the TRPA disregarded concerns and moved forward with its proposal. Read the article to find out what happened and why many are questioning the very agency designed to be the Basin’s “environmental watchdog.”

Tahoe Regional Planning Agency Comes Under Scrutiny
Disheartened by the TRPA’s recent decision to increase height, density and lot coverage, and reduce parking requirements in Town Centers, many locals showed up at this month’s meeting of the Nevada Legislative Committee for the oversight of the TRPA. Residents voiced their concerns and highlighted the agency’s recent questionable decisions. One local, Pamela Tsigdinos stated, “When we asked TRPA directly why isn’t it doing more to prioritize the lake’s health, and the public safety, we are told, and I quote, ‘the developers are TRPA’s customers.’” Josh Meny of Reno’s KTVN News Channel 2 tells the full story.

It’s not snow, it’s pollution: Lake Tahoe littered with thousands of plastic beads
It’s sand, no, it’s snow—no, it’s plastic? Following a recent winter storm, thousands of small, polystyrene beads flooded Incline Village beaches. The number of beads, old remnants of a floating dock, likely totaled over 100,000 pieces. A local non-profit, Clean Up the Lake, launched a volunteer effort, but it is impossible to remove them all. Learn more about this terrible incident here.

Lake Tahoe Littered with Thousands of Plastic Bag, Bottle, and Toy Pieces

A recent study completed by researchers from the Desert Research Institute and the UC Davis Environmental Research Center examined plastic litter in and around Lake Tahoe, and what they found was grim. They discovered an average of 133 pieces of plastic per mile, with food containers, plastic bags, toys, and plastic bottles topping the list as the most common items. The good news is that this information will hopefully be used to influence policies aimed at keeping these plastic items from Tahoe beaches.

Check out the full article here.

Is it still OK to go to Tahoe? Here's what locals say
Last year, Tahoe was included on Fodor’s infamous “No List,” suggesting that the Lake needed a break from the onslaught of over-tourism. Tahoe is not on the list this year, mostly because Fodor doesn’t list the same locations year after year, but many are still wondering whether it’s okay for tourists to go to Tahoe. Read the article to find out what some locals had to say.

December E-News

December E-News


MAP 2023 Milemarkers and Milestones

Looking forward 2024, while reflecting on some great advocacy milestones from 2023! 

Twenty-twenty-three has been a long road for land use and MAP's work to make Truckee Tahoe a better place to live and visit. Our advocacy efforts furthered new milestones for MAP, the environment, and the community. 

Grassroots advocacy for responsible development, sound land use planning codes and policies, climate action planning, environmental and social justice, workforce housing advocacy, and our ongoing efforts to protect open space in the Martis Valley and North Lake Tahoe watershed are just a few of the stops along the road this year. 

None of our work would be possible without the support and cheerleading from our members, partners, and community. Advocacy has its ups and downs, but with your support, we are able to keep up the good fight and focus on land use applications and community planning processes in Truckee Tahoe year-round. Thank you for powering our mission and helping us make the many stops along the long road of land use advocacy this year. In wrapping up 2023, we wanted to highlight how MAP's work has helped create a positive impact and brighter future for present and future generations of Truckee Tahoe.

5 Regional Land Use Planning Processes 

This year was a huge community planning year for MAP, with five regional land use planning processes happening simultaneously, some five years in advance and others landing on MAP's plate in 2023. All five processes are critical for the future of Truckee Tahoe. MAP advocacy has played a positive role in helping to shape the Truckee 2040 General Plan, River to River Steering Committee for Truckee River Revitalization, Tahoe Basin Area Plan Amendments (TBAP) for North Lake Tahoe in Placer County, the TRPA Housing Code Amendments, and the Placer County Housing Rezone Program. 

8 Outreach & Educational Events 

On the streets and online advocacy at Truckee Thursday, California 89, River Ranch, Clair Tappaan Lodge, and land use zooms for Truckee 2040, Placer County, and TRPA Housing Code Amendments were eight highlights from MAP's direct on-the-ground education and outreach. 

9 Give Back Tahoe Campaigns 

This year was MAP's 9th year participating in the Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation end-of-year fundraising campaign, with the most raised to date of $50,781 through 88 donors. Thank you for helping us reach our goal of raising $50k! 

13 Years of Sierra Forage Dinner

MAP hosted the 13th Annual Sierra Forage Dinner at the Olympic Valley Stables on August 18th, 2023. The event raised $125,000 for environmental advocacy and was supported by 26 sponsors and 150 guests. 

20 Regional Development Applications 

MAP is actively tracking and engaging on twenty land use and development applications. Everything from massive redevelopment projects, hotels, high-end housing, and workforce housing projects. They are stacking up and are in the pipeline for Truckee Tahoe local jurisdictions to process in 2024 and beyond. 

22 Land Use Codes & Policies Created

MAP helped to strengthen and create land use policies and codes that will help to enhance natural resources, climate action planning, and accountability for development and mitigation. Changes made through grassroots advocacy during Truckee 2040, TBAP, and TRPA processes in 2023 will continue to be implemented and enacted through multi-generational community plans and tracking by groups like MAP. 

26 Action Alerts 

Over the past year, we put out 26 Action Alerts to get the community's attention to attend land use hearings or send letters for essential decisions being made in Truckee Tahoe for community planning, workforce housing, wildfire and climate change preparedness, and more. Thank you to the 11,000+ subscribers and followers who put our action alerts to good use by reading, sharing, or motivating yourself to attend a hearing. We appreciate and see you! 

36 Years of Advocacy 

Since 1987, MAP has made it our mission to advocate, no matter what. We know we are often unpopular for taking bold stances, whether for or against development, but those bold moves have made priceless contributions to the Truckee Tahoe environment and community for the last 36 years, and we are not done yet! 

47 Public Hearings Attended 

MAP staff attended 47 regional land use and conservation hearings in Truckee Tahoe in 2023. By participating in the public process at Nevada County, the Town of Truckee, Placer County, and TRPA, our group has a pulse on what is happening with development and conservation initiatives for the region. 

802 Petitions & Letters Signed 

Petitions and grassroots letters drove policy and land use changes in Truckee Tahoe for 2023. It is hard to attend 5-8 hour hearings monthly. With letters and petitions, our appointed and elected officials are able to hear from many constituents about their concerns or ideas for solutions. Thank you to those who took the time to support better community planning by signing and sharing. 

We are looking forward to 2024; with more open space on the horizon and a slew of development applications in the pipeline for review and organizing region-wide. MAP's work and mission are critical right now. We hope you will ride along with us and continue to invest in environmental advocacy as we move into 2024.


Happy Holidays from MAP 

From the Board and Staff at Mountain Area Preservation (MAP), we wish all our supporters, conservation partners, and MAP members a joyous holiday season! We feel blessed to call Truckee Tahoe home and celebrate the holidays in such a beautiful environment, surrounded by residents and visitors who enjoy the wonder of the mountains. Take time this holiday season to connect, give back, and celebrate the small things that make life special. Happy Holidays! 


Give Back Tahoe | Walk on the Wild Side & Give Back to MAP

Over the past thirty-six years of grassroots advocacy and organizing, MAP has helped to protect more than 7,000 acres of critical habitat in the Martis Valley, Donner Summit, Brockway Summit, and Eastern Truckee, and we are not done yet!

Take a walk on the wild side, and give back to MAP this holiday season. Help us reach our goal of raising $50,000 for grassroots Truckee Tahoe environmental advocacy! We are more than halfway to reaching our goal with $30,212 raised, and each donation doubled until we reach our goal. End-of-year donations will help power MAP's priority conservation campaigns in 2024 to protect habitat for our furry mountain friends through our Save Tahoe efforts to conserve 7,500 acres in the Martis Valley and North Lake Tahoe watershed. 

It takes a village to advocate for our mountain landscapes and critters; we could not do it without you! Make a tax-deductible donation, double your love for MAP, and enter our Epic Promise Raffle by making a $100 donation until December 31st.


TRPA Housing Code Amendments Approved

In a disheartening 14-1 vote, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency’s (TRPA) Governing Board approved the Phase 2 Housing Amendments last week. Despite the disappointing outcome, community members showed up in full force, with 60 people giving verbal comments at the meeting (mostly opposed), thousands of pages of public comments submitted to the TRPA ahead of time (again, mostly opposed), and more than 400 submissions of MAP’s open letter on the amendments. Tahoe Truckee, you fought the good fight, and we are so thankful to be part of a community that cares. 

These amendments provide market incentives intended to spur the construction of deed-restricted affordable, moderate, and achievable housing in Tahoe Town Centers, adjacent transition zones, and multi-family zones by providing more height, density, site coverage, and reduced parking requirements. MAP’s primary concerns are that these intense land uses have the capacity to negatively impact public safety, natural resources, and community character. This scale of development, especially outside of Town Centers, was not contemplated in the environmental analysis completed for the 2012 Regional Plan Update. Unfortunately, these amendments rely on outdated data from 2012, as if Tahoe has somehow existed in a time capsule. 

Additionally, no alternatives to addressing the housing crisis were considered. The TRPA is painting these amendments as innovative solutions, but there is nothing innovative about providing significantly more parcel density, height, and coverage. It’s basic economics that if you build something bigger, taller, with more units and less parking, you’ll be able to make more money off the product or unit type in this case.

MAP and other community members advocated for updated environmental analysis and truly innovative alternatives, but that is not what came to pass. MAP staff also met with roughly half of the Governing Board members prior to the hearing to discuss concerns and alternatives. We learned during these meetings that the open letter many of you submitted certainly got their attention. The outcome wasn’t as we’d hoped, but several positive modifications were made prior to adoption. Learn more about the TRPA Governing Board decision on our website.


MAP Land Use Lunch Hour | Thursday, January 18th

What are the Tahoe Basin Area Plan Amendments?

Placer County’s Tahoe Basin Area Plan (TBAP) Amendments are heading to the final stage in the adoption process, review by the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) Governing Board, in January (date TBD). Get up to speed on the amendments and learn how to participate during MAP’s January Land Use Lunch Hour on Thursday, January 18th, starting at noon. Hope to see you there. 


The public process serves a critical role in land use planning and development. Ellie Waller is a seasoned environmental advocate and tracks projects and processes closely in the Lake Tahoe basin. Read her opinion piece in the Tahoe Daily Tribune to learn about the recent failures of the public process in Lake Tahoe. Read Ellie’s opinion piece HERE.

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) relied on data from 2012 to make the case that their Housing Amendments would have no significant environmental impacts. We all know that a lot has changed over the last decade. These changed conditions and new data should have been analyzed to fully understand the implications from the amendments, as well as ways to mitigate impacts. Pamela Mahoney Tsigdinos’ poignant op-ed dives into the issues. Read the article here. 


Placer County North Lake Tahoe Parking Management 

Public Meetings January 2024

Placer County will hold a pair of meetings with the community to discuss phase one implementation of the North Lake Tahoe Parking Management Program. Each will be facilitated by the county’s consultant, Dixon Resources Unlimited, and will be similarly formatted. 


Hopkins Village, the newly constructed, for-sale housing development located in Martis Valley, has multiple units for sale for local workers in the Tahoe Truckee Unified School District boundary. The development consists of 40 units (20 half-plexes) offered at a sale price of $615,000 to the local workforce and at market rate to local employers. Each unit is a bright and beautiful three-bedroom, 2.5-bath home with an island kitchen, mudroom, bonus office room, and a one-car garage. The HOA features a small park and covers exterior maintenance and snow removal. LEARN MORE


Follow MAP on Social Media & Stay Activated 

Staying connected and informed is one of the best ways you can be a steward of Truckee Tahoe while also helping to elevate MAP’s mission and work! By showing up to a hearing in person or via Zoom, joining us at a mixer, signing a petition, or becoming a member by following one of our social channels, we will keep you connected to land use and conservation efforts in Truckee Tahoe. 


November E-News

November E-News


Gratitude for Truckee Tahoe Environment & Community 

The motivation behind our work is more than just a few words; it’s the many special things about Truckee Tahoe that keep us activated and passionate about grassroots environmental advocacy! Our irreplaceable mountains, meadows, alpine lakes, rivers, critters, starry nights, and the community have fueled our work for thirty-six years!  

With support from MAP members, conservation partners, and the community, bringing our work to fruition is possible. We are grateful to all our supporters who have helped us advocate and organize since 1987. Happy Thanksgiving from the Board and Staff at MAP - we are grateful for you!


Give Back Tahoe | Less Than One Week Away!

The countdown to Give Back Tahoe has begun - we are less than one week away from Giving Tuesday on November 28th and the beginning of the giving season for non-profits worldwide. Make a plan to Give Back to MAP from November 28th to December 31st, and help fund grassroots Truckee Tahoe environmental advocacy! 

 We are excited to bring our conservation supporters on a wild journey as we celebrate 36 years of grassroots environmental advocacy while raising critical funds to support MAP's priority conservation campaigns and organizational needs.

This will be MAP's 9th year participating in Give Back Tahoe, hosted by the Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation. Our goal is to raise $50,000 and this year's campaign will include a matching component due to the generosity of MAP members and organizations who believe in our mission and work!  

Mark your calendar to support MAP, and stay tuned for more campaign details and the EPIC raffle unveiling on Giving Tuesday as we count down to the launch of Give Back Tahoe! 


Welcome New MAP Board Members

MAP is thrilled to announce the addition of three new Board of Directors and one of our founders rejoining the MAP Team. Welcome Nikki Price, Amy Cornelius, Victoria Estevez, and Stefanie Olivieri to the MAP Board of Directors. 

Each board member provides a unique skill set and perspective to MAP’s mission and work. Whether through event planning, marketing, land use planning, or  regional community history and stewardship, each director is committed to advancing MAP’s mission-driven work for present and future generations. We can’t wait for all of our members to learn more about each new director. Check out our website and read the new MAP Board Members' bios.


Grant Gratitude | Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation 

Awards MAP $5,000 Nature Fund Grant  

Thank you to the Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation and Nature Fund for awarding MAP a $5,000 mission-driven grant for our Truckee Tahoe environmental advocacy efforts in the region. As a thirty-six-year-old advocacy non-profit, we have primarily sustained our work through individual donations and private funds, with minimal grant-making. Most grant-making is project-specific, and due to the nature of advocacy, long-range planning efforts, and negotiations, we can't always guarantee what the outcome will be, but we sure are persistent at keeping up the fight to see a positive result for the environment and community!

Thank you Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation for helping to power our mission over the last decade through grant support from the Nature Fund!


Don’t Fall for the TRPA Trap

Back-to-back hearings set the stage for the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) to approve the controversial Phase 2 Housing Amendments at the December 13th Governing Board Meeting. These dire amendments would provide more height, coverage, and density in Town Centers and adjacent “Transition Zones” and Multi-Family Zones across the Tahoe Basin, leading to mountain sprawl that forever alters the character of Tahoe’s small communities. 

These market solutions are intended to remove the barriers for workforce housing, and yet we have learned that affordable housing will still need subsidies, even with these amendments. Whether the housing is low-income or achievable, these amendments lack innovation or environmental accountability (relying on data from 2011 and beyond). 

They will also result in disastrous unintended consequences, like negative impacts on public safety, wildfire evacuation, scenic vistas, water quality, and more. Plus, the amendments are riddled with loopholes that would likely result in a parking nightmare and the development of more luxury condos and second homes unless serious enforcement mechanisms are in place.  

Learn more on MAP’s TRPA Housing Amendments Webpage. Then, say no to Tahoe urban planning and sprawl, and tell the TRPA to consider better alternatives and new analysis for future workforce housing code amendments. 


Say No to Tahoe Urban Planning & Mountain Sprawl 

Send MAP’s Open Letter to the TRPA and Tahoe Representatives

It’s time to get the attention of the TRPA Governing Board along with State and Federal officials who care about the health and safety of Lake Tahoe and its people. Join MAP and say no to the urban planning vision and mountain sprawl zoning proposed by TRPA and ask for new analysis and alternatives to 65-foot-tall, big-box workforce housing with no parking. Without a reliable transit system, adequate wildfire evacuation planning, and enforcement of deed restrictions, these amendments will further exacerbate Tahoe’s housing crisis. It’s time for better, truly innovative housing solutions.


MAP Business Member Spotlight

We couldn't do what we do without the support of our members - especially our business members - who help power priority campaigns and special events throughout the year. We're excited to put the spotlight this month on NDURUS, California 89, and the Lift Wellness Workspace! 

The owners of these amazing local businesses share our passion for supporting Truckee Tahoe through grassroots environmental advocacy. Help us celebrate these MAP Business Members and learn why they support our mission-driven work: 

Raeleigh Harris, Head Coach at NDURUS, needs access to the great outdoors for her clients and business, which is just one reason she helps power MAP’s mission.

Lisa and Ethan, owners of California 89 and California 89 Home Store, share our passion for environmental advocacy and preserving the areas that make Truckee Tahoe our favorite outdoor playground.

Jan Holan, owner of Lift Wellness Workspace, knows the importance of championing our community and workforce, allowing new and local businesses the chance to grow and thrive.


Community News and Media


Follow MAP on Social Media & Stay Activated 

Staying connected and informed is one of the best ways you can be a steward of Truckee Tahoe while also helping to elevate MAP’s mission and work! By showing up to a hearing in person or via Zoom, joining us at a mixer, signing a petition, or becoming a member by following one of our social channels, we will keep you connected to land use and conservation efforts in Truckee Tahoe. 


October E-News

October E-News


Thank You Sierra Forage Dinner Match & Pledge Donors! 

$70,000 Raised for Truckee Tahoe Environmental Advocacy! 

After two months of fundraising since the dinner, we reached our match & pledge goal and secured $70,000 for Truckee Tahoe environmental advocacy! Thank you to our match donors Patty & Jeff Baird, Melinda Maxfield, Dan Haas, Pete & Ginnie Haas, Greg Hovorka, and Lynne & Ken Weakley for providing the funds to double each donation up to $35,000. And a huge thank you to the 61 donors who invested in the campaign and continue to fuel our grassroots efforts.

Your support truly makes MAP happen!

Business Member Spotlight | Bespoke + Atelier

We couldn't do what we do without the incredible support of our members, especially the fantastic local businesses that make our work possible. For October, we're excited to put the spotlight on Bespoke + Atelier!

Bespoke + Atelier shares MAP's passion for preserving special places and advocating for the environment, and we're so grateful for their support. Here's what they had to say about why they became a MAP Business Member: 

"We love supporting MAP and all the amazing work they do. Environmental advocacy is so important, and we're proud to be a part of creating a better world for our children."

Celebrate local businesses that invest in grassroots environmental advocacy! Be sure to stop into Bespoke + Atelier in Historic Downtown Truckee to check out their shop and support Truckee businesses that give back. 

Want to learn more about the MAP Business Membership program? Check out our website, see the other business supporters, and add your name to the list! There are perks for supporting MAP with a tax-deductible donation or in-kind goods and services that help elevate MAP's mission and work! 


Save The Date | Giving Tuesday & Give Back Tahoe Campaign November 28th through December 31st

The start of the Giving Season will kick off on Tuesday, November 28, with Giving Tuesday and the beginning of the Give Back Tahoe campaign through the Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation. This year, the Give Back Tahoe campaign will start on Giving Tuesday, November 28th, and end on December 31, 2023. MAP plans to raise the bar with our fundraising goal this year, and we hope our new supporters will have all hands on deck to support MAP during Give Back Tahoe!

This will be MAP’s ninth year participating in the campaign, which has proven to not only be a fun way to FUNdraise at the end of the year, but in years past, it provided fast-paced non-profit peer-to-peer challenge grants. For our past supporters, this year is a changeup with no challenge grants, but don’t worry, MAP has something exciting in store for our supporters with the campaign that we will reveal on Giving Tuesday! 

Walk on the Wild Side this giving season, and Give Back to MAP! Stay tuned via email and social media as we get closer to the campaign and announce our goal and give-back promotion!


TBAP RECAP | Tahoe Basin Area Plan Amendments

Board of Supervisors Hearing  

Last week’s Board of Supervisors (BOS) hearing was long and confusing. After beginning the review of the Tahoe Basin Area Plan (TBAP) amendments two hours later than scheduled, over 30 people gave verbal public comments only to have the meeting abruptly end without much explanation when the supervisors decided to continue the item to the next BOS hearing on October 31st in Auburn. A final TBAP decision down the hill on Halloween? Sounds scary to us!  

There was a lot of tension in the room, with Placer County staff continuing to assert that market solutions are the only way to address the housing crisis. As workforce housing advocates, we know that’s not the case. The community raised various ongoing concerns, including the potential for more market-rate condos, changing community character, lack of analysis of emergency evacuation, wildfire risks, vehicle miles traveled, and more.

 The overall sentiment is that community members have invested their time, energy, and hearts into this process (countless hours of hearings, workshops, and providing comments), but many still do not feel their input has been addressed. 

This process has been especially confusing because the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) is also proposing similar housing code amendments. It’s hard to keep the proposals straight and to add to the confusion, the two agencies are even looking at the same dates for their upcoming TRPA hearings. This is process chaos at its finest. 

Join MAP in Auburn or online for the continued Board of Supervisors hearing on Halloween to see how it all shakes down. It’s unclear whether the Board will accept additional public comments on the amendments, but we’re gearing up just in case, and we hope you will, too!


MAP Advocacy Spotlight | Ellie Waller  

Meet our dedicated MAP Member, Ellie Waller, and listen to her MAP Advocacy Spotlight this month, focusing on the Tahoe Basin Area Plan amendments. 

From falling in love with Lake Tahoe in '85 to making it her home, Ellie has been a tireless advocate for preserving the 'Jewel of Sierra.' With 20 years of dedicated involvement and a commitment to securing a bright future, she inspires us all.


TRPA Housing Amendments

Next Up - Advisory Planning Commission Hearing 

 The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) is considering alarming amendments to its housing regulations. Even though the public process to amend their codes only recently began (in May), they hope to rush these through before the end of the year (don’t blink, or you might miss the whole thing). The next opportunity to weigh in is at the upcoming Advisory Planning Commission hearing on Wednesday, November 8th, starting at 9:30 a.m. These meetings are held at the TRPA’s office at 128 Market Street in Stateline, NV, and online via Zoom.  

The basinwide amendments would apply to deed-restricted affordable, moderate, or achievable housing projects in Town Centers, nearby Transition Zones and Multi-family Zones close to transit. The TRPA is providing every economic incentive they can drum up to get more low-income and workforce housing. We agree that the Tahoe Basin needs creative housing solutions that provide homes for the folks who work in the basin, but throwing more height, density, and coverage on the table without adequately addressing wildfire and evacuation, scenic impacts, water quality issues, and degradation of community character is not the way to go about it. Additionally, is removing all the barriers for developers with “market solutions” (i.e. increased height, density, and coverage) in line with North Lake Tahoe’s vision for workforce housing? Not if you ask residents and advocates of good planning.  

Let’s show the TRPA that this is not the right approach for the communities surrounding our national treasure, Lake Tahoe. Join us at the upcoming hearing to provide comments or submit your suggestions before the meeting. 

Placer County Housing Rezone Notice of Preparation Released 

Comments Due November 20th 

Placer County has released the Notice of Preparation for the Housing Rezone Program for Placer County. The Housing Rezone program has identified 69 sites in Placer County to be considered for an upzone to accommodate the county's Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) number. MAP is looking specifically at the only two sites near Tahoe, one in Alpine Meadows and another outside the Town of Truckee boundary, along SR 89 and West River Street. 

 Join MAP for the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) Scoping Meeting on Friday, November 3rd, at 10:00 a.m. The County will host an in-person meeting in the Placer County Planning Commission room (3091 County Center Drive, Auburn, CA) starting at 10:00 a.m., or the public can attend via Zoom. 


Save Canyon Springs Campaign Flash Back 

In the Fall of 2021, MAP and our conservation partners at the Truckee Donner Land Trust, The Martis Fund, and Save Open Space Around Glenshire launched the long-awaited campaign to Save Canyon Springs.  

After thirty-four years of challenging inappropriate development applications in a wildlife migration corridor and high-severity fire danger zone, environmentalists struck a deal to buy 290 acres at the edge of Truckee for $11.6 million with a closing date in less than three months. With the overwhelming support from 700 donors and a significant open space grant from The Martis Fund of $6 million to kick start the effort, our groups were able to raise the needed funds in record-breaking time, conserving open space and wildlife habitat, and providing legal access for recreation on Canyon Springs.  

Thank you again to all the donors and supporters who helped make the dream of Saving Canyon Springs a reality. Without the passion and care from the community over the last thirty-six years, we would not have been able to be at the table time after time to review proposals, meet with project applicants and the local planning jurisdictions, organize the community, and create a better land use outcome for both the environment and community.  

Celebrate conservation and be a proud rep of the Save Canyon Springs movement with MAP’s limited edition stickers, corduroy hats and merino wool beanies. Check out the Save Canyon Springs Collection in the MAP Shop. 

Stay Warm with MAP’s Rustek Organic Cotton Beanies 

It is getting chilly, and our beautiful fall weather will soon turn into winter. Stay warm and support MAP at the same time! Check out our new Rustek, organic cotton beanies featuring the MAP logo with a cork label, and available in three awesome and vibrant colors: marigold, teal, and sienna. Not only are these beanies warm and made from eco-groovy materials, all proceeds support MAP’s mission and work to advocate for open space and responsible development in Truckee Tahoe. Browse our online store, and don’t forget, current MAP members get 15% off with our promo code.


Stay up to date with news and media to help keep you informed! 


Nevada County Planning Commission - Application Open!

The Nevada County Planning Commission is looking for a representative from the Truckee area. The Planning Commission reviews and provides recommendations on various land-use applications and development projects. This is an important role and a great opportunity to represent our mountain community down the hill in Nevada City.


Follow MAP on Social Media & Stay Activated

Staying connected and informed is one of the best ways you can be a steward of Truckee Tahoe while also helping to elevate MAP’s mission and work! By showing up to a hearing in person or via Zoom, joining us at a mixer, signing a petition, or becoming a member by following one of our social channels, we will keep you connected to land use and conservation efforts in Truckee Tahoe. 


September E-News

September E-News


Join the MAP movement and help us reach our Sierra Forage Dinner goal of raising $70,000 for environmental advocacy. Your dollars keep us advocating for natural resource protection, smart land-use planning, open space conservation, and workforce housing. 

So far, we’ve raised $45,000 to fuel the MAP mission. Donations will continue to be matched thanks to the generous support from longtime MAP members, and past and current Board Members; Patty & Jeff Baird, Greg Hovorka, Lynne & Ken Weakley, Dan Haas, Peter and Ginnie Haas, and Melinda Maxfield.

 

This is a critical year with several large-scale planning processes underway and over 25 land-use proposals that we’re keeping an eye on.

Donate today to support environmental stewardship and power MAP’s advocacy efforts!

Hear Ye! Hear Ye! If you live, work, and/or play in the Tahoe Basin, this is one you’ll want to pay close attention to. The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) is proposing drastic changes to its regulations to make it more attractive for developers to build workforce and affordable housing. While we certainly agree that there is a severe lack of housing in Tahoe to support the folks who power our community—the workforce—we also know that this region is special because of its natural resources, beauty, and mountain character. We can’t destroy what makes Tahoe special in the name of housing. Creative solutions are needed.

What exactly is the TRPA proposing?

These basinwide changes would impact Town Centers, areas adjacent to Town Centers, and lands zoned for multi-family development. In essence, the TRPA is looking to reduce parking requirements and provide more height, coverage, and density in these zones for deed-restricted affordable, moderate, and achievable housing projects. We understand the premise, but 65-ft-tall buildings covering lots with less than a parking spot per unit are not the innovative housing solutions we were hoping for.   

These proposals raise big concerns about wildfire evacuation, traffic congestion, viewshed degradation, and natural resource impairment. 

If yesterday's Regional Plan Implementation Committee meeting was any indication, it looks like the TRPA is ready to pat themselves on the back and approve these amendments without fully analyzing the impacts or considering public concerns. Mark your calendars for the upcoming TRPA meetings and get up to speed on all of the details. Your voice matters and we need to make sure that the TRPA upholds its mission to preserve, restore, and enhance Tahoe’s unique natural and human environment. 

Upcoming TRPA Meetings:

Advisory Planning Commission Meeting - 11/8

Regional Plan Implementation Committee Meeting - 11/15

Governing Board Meeting - 12/13

Final decisions are rapidly approaching for the proposed Tahoe Basin Area Plan (TBAP) Amendments with Placer County Board of Supervisors review on October 17th and TRPA meetings to follow. This suite of amendments is geared at removing development barriers, streamlining housing projects and fostering Town Center redevelopment. The amendments would establish more types of projects that would be allowed by right in Kings Beach and Tahoe City. They would also modify building mass, scale, and permitting requirements. Of primary concern are the impacts on wildfire evacuation and traffic congestion, as well as impacts on community character. 

The potential impacts need to be fully analyzed and reviewed under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The 17-page addendum to the 2017 Environmental Impact Report (EIR) barely introduces the topics, let alone completes a full analysis. Under CEQA, new information and changed conditions must be considered. The fact is that our community is not the same as it was in 2016 when the EIR baseline conditions were established. We’ve been through a global pandemic and the new normal for where and how we live and work has changed our local population. The number of second homeowners who now live in the region on a more consistent basis impacts traffic and wildfire risks. Road conditions have also changed with SR 28 going from four lanes to two lanes. 

There is also new data and new resources that must be factored in. Microplastics are plaguing Lake Tahoe waters, the area has been added to Fodor’s No List because of its “people problem” and “great migration”, and the CA Attorney General’s Office has published best practices for analyzing and mitigating wildfire impacts under CEQA. All of this and more must be considered before the TBAP Amendments move forward. 

 Further, in what appeared to be true consideration of public perspective, Placer County removed the original building height and length changes from the package of amendments. However, we have since learned that the TRPA is bringing the height proposal back before the end of the year (see above). This is a disingenuous play by Placer County and those changes should also be considered under a revised TBAP EIR. 

What can you do?

Email the Placer County Board of Supervisors and tell them that impacts from the TBAP Amendments need to be fully reviewed under CEQA before these changes can be approved. This is not an effort to delay the process, but an integral part of good planning and communication. 

At MAP, we recognize that the passion of our members is paramount. We want to express our appreciation to individuals who are dedicated to environmental conservation and community engagement. This month, we are thrilled to showcase Sarah Green, a MAP member who embodies the community spirit. 

Whether it’s participating on the Green Team, attending public meetings, or advocating for open space protection, Sarah is always willing to lend her voice and knowledge to a good cause. When asked about her advocacy efforts, here’s what Sarah had to say:  

“I believe that we all are capable of doing better – living more in touch with ourselves, in balance with nature and connected to each other. And nothing can teach us more about the beautiful simplicity of life than our natural environment. “

The Truckee Fire Protection District is updating the Truckee Area Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP). This Plan serves as a roadmap that identifies and prioritizes future wildfire mitigation projects and also facilitates a community-wide approach to wildfire preparedness. They are seeking input to inform the update and better understand how wildfire risks impact the community.


August E-News

August E-News


13th Annual Sierra Forage Dinner 

MAP’s 13th Annual Sierra Forage Dinner was a success! Our mountain community didn’t let a little wind, rain, and lightning get in the way of celebrating 36 years of environmental advocacy! Thank you to our longtime members, new supporters, conservation partners, donors, and sponsors for sharing a beautiful night of music, local vegan cuisine, and wine, and for honoring MAP’s decades-long conservation legacy. Take a minute to look through the night’s gallery of photos captured by the amazing Kelly Price.  

Our staff is still working to crunch the fundraising numbers and fulfill the match and pledge goal of $70,000, but soon enough, we will share how much we have secured to carry forward our mission and priority conservation campaigns. 

This event was made possible through the generosity of our wonderful Sierra Forage Dinner Sponsors, In-Kind Donors, and Business Members. Thank you, Cabona’s, Granite Chief Wilderness Protection League, Emigrant Trails Greenway Trust, Patty & Jeff Baird, Pamela Hurt Associates, KMI Wealth, Obexer’s Boat Co., Teichert & Stonebridge Properties, Brand Geek, Olympic Valley Stables, Mountain Thyme Events, Melinda Maxfield, Vail Epic Promise, Villa Amor, Tahoe Mountain School, Truckee Donner Land Trust, Tahoe Gifting Co., Jeremy Jensen Media, Kelli Price Photography, New Moon Natural Foods, JARCO, Clair Tappaan Lodge and Earth Roots Designs. 

A huge shout-out goes to our volunteers, Jenny Goldberg, Leigh Golden, Nikki Riley, Guy Smith, and Carly Bothe, for all their help with set up, break down, and prep. The food was phenomenal by Michelle and Mary of Noisettes Mobile Kitchen, the event planning support by Mountain Thyme Events was over the top, and we could not have hosted such a beautiful event without all of the love from our host with the Olympic Valley Stables, Mitch Pavel. 

13th Annual Sierra Forage Dinner — Match & Pledge 

We are almost there! Help us reach our Sierra Forage Dinner goal of raising $70,000! Donations are still coming in, and we are well on our way toward meeting our biggest fundraising goal of the year. Every dollar we raise is matched up to $35,000 thanks to the tremendous support of Patty & Jeff Baird, Greg Hovorka, Lynne & Ken Weakley, Dan Haas, Peter and Ginnie Haas, and Melinda Maxfield. 

MAP Advocacy Spotlight | Rolf Godon & Tanzy Maxfield 

MAP was started in 1987 by local citizens who wanted to protect their community and advocate for responsible development. Grassroots organizing created MAP and is the reason we’re still around today. This month we’re highlighting two MAP members who truly embody that grassroots spirit—Rolf Godon and Tanzy Maxfield.  

Whether it’s attending meetings, writing letters, or volunteering behind the scenes, these two are always willing to get in the trenches and do the hard work. When asked about his advocacy efforts, here’s what Rolf Godon had to say: 

“In essence, my journey mirrors a community's resolve to preserve its character. Our story embodies unity, unwavering advocacy, and an unbreakable fondness for the land we cherish.”

Summer Membership Appeal 

MAP’s Summer Membership Appeal is landing in your mailboxes this week! Keep an eye out, and be sure to renew your membership if you haven’t already. The tax-deductible donations from our members support major land-use campaigns in Truckee Tahoe, while helping to keep MAP at the table fighting the good fight. This work is critical, and we couldn’t do it without you! 

Tahoe Basin Area Plan (TBAP) Amendments Update 

After being approved by the Placer County Planning Commission on August 10th, the TBAP Amendments are on their way to the Board of Supervisors (BOS) on October 17th, with a TRPA review to follow. The primary goals of the amendments are to streamline housing projects and incentivize redevelopment of Town Centers in North Lake Tahoe. The amendments, which include changes to building mass, scale, and permitting requirements, would help Placer County meet these goals. However, they may also result in unintended consequences, including exacerbating traffic and fire evacuation risks and impacting mountain character.

MAP first learned about the proposed amendments last fall, and since then, Placer County has hosted various public meetings and workshops. Some of the main community concerns reiterated repeatedly are related to the impacts of increased building height and mass and the need to analyze all new impacts through the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) process. In response to concerns, Placer County removed the height changes and initiated an addendum to the TBAP’s original Environmental Impact Report (EIR). 

While this seemed like a genuine response to public concerns, we have since learned that the height increases will likely come back through TRPA code amendments later this year. Given that information, the EIR addendum should have considered impacts related to height increases. Additionally, the 17-page EIR addendum stated that implementing the amendments would not result in new or substantially more significant effects. We do not believe the addendum contains a thorough review of the potential impacts or the new conditions that exist in North Lake Tahoe, such as SR 28 changing from four lanes to two lanes, increased population with second homes lived in full time, more of the workforce commuting from out of the Tahoe basin to work in the Tahoe basin, and wildfire. These are significant changes that need to be considered for TBAP and other land use applications coming forward.


 This information is critical for the community to understand the implications of the amendments fully and for the BOS to make an informed decision.

Join MAP on October 17th to tell the BOS that the TBAP amendments are simply not ready for primetime.

MAP will send more information as the meeting approaches. 

Town of Truckee - Objective Design Standards 

Did you know that the Town of Truckee has new building design standards? On August 22nd, the Town Council approved a number of Development Code updates, including a new chapter called the Objective Design Standards. This chapter outlines various residential regulations, including requirements for building colors, styles, materials, massing, and more.  

Basically, the State of California now requires local jurisdictions to help streamline residential development by making their housing requirements more objective and removing certain permitting processes. If an applicant follows these new standards to a tee, the review process gets simplified. If an applicant chooses to have more flexibility, they can follow the current permitting process. On the plus side, the new system makes some design regulations more black and white and, therefore, easier to interpret. On the downside, this removes some of the community’s ability to include that creative Truckee funk flair in their projects. 

 In addition to this new chapter, the Town also changed several other regulations, such as the method for calculating the height of residential dwellings on slopes. MAP supports several of the modifications, including prohibiting development on the top of ridgelines, clustering open space, locating density at the least visible part of a site, and adding buffers for wetlands (we guess an arbitrary 10-ft-wide buffer is better than nothing, even though the science says these buffer zones should be bigger). On the flip side, some of the modifications raise red flags, like the fact that chimneys and rooftop appurtenances are no longer included in building height calculations, which is basically a 5-ft height increase (you’re welcome, developers; so sorry, mountain viewsheds). Want to learn more? Review the code changes here.  

Placer County Housing Rezone 

Placer County recently initiated a Housing Rezone Program, but what does that actually mean? Essentially, in response to a lack of available housing, the State of California now requires every local jurisdiction to provide sufficient housing potential based on their population. In 2021, the State analyzed Placer County’s land-use allocations and determined that more land needs to be provided for multi-family residential development and low-income housing. This prompted Placer County to create a Housing Rezone Program to respond to this need. 


The Program includes creating a new zone district that allows for a minimum of 20 and a maximum of 30 residential dwelling units per acre, identifying candidate sites to rezone and then completing a programmatic Environmental Impact Report to analyze the potential impacts that may result from upzoning these properties. Most of the sites are not within the Truckee Tahoe region, but there are a couple and we’re keeping our eyes on them to be sure that any rezone is consistent with local community needs and natural resource goals.

Specifically, Placer County is considering rezoning one site in Alpine Meadows and one site in Truckee at the corner of SR 89 and West River Street. Next steps include meeting with all the remaining owners of the candidate sites, beginning the EIR process, and refining the candidate sites at an upcoming meeting on September 26th. Stay tuned for more info. 

Stay up to date with news and media to help keep you informed! 


July E-News

July E-News


Join MAP and celebrate thirty-six years of environmental advocacy at our main fundraising event at the Stables in Olympic Valley on Friday, August 18th, from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. The Sierra Forage Dinner will feature a locally sourced, sustainable, multi-course, vegan dinner with wine pairings, live music, and a live auction to benefit MAP’s mission and work! The dinner provides the perfect opportunity to mingle, reconnect, and share stories that honor the environment, community, and work of MAP! 

Tickets are $125 per person, and a reserved table for your favorite ten people is only $1500. A portion of each ticket includes a tax-deductible donation and a memorable evening under the stars and in the mountains supporting MAP! 

Help us raise critical funds to support MAP’s priority conservation campaigns and capacity building. Buy your tickets before we sell out! 

Thank you to the hundreds of donors who supported our first-ever MAP Summer Membership Raffle! We had 506 raffle entries, raising $26,286.65. The largest raffle in MAP history! The lucky winner is Deborah Fajans of Truckee, CA. 

We want to give another huge shout-out to the Levi’s Strauss and Co. Family for donating the tickets to MAP's Summer Membership Raffle! We hope that Deborah and her guest have the best time ever at the Eras Tour at Levi’s Stadium on July 28th.

Advocacy fuels MAP’s mission, and we have a truly inspiring member to spotlight this month — Stefanie Olivieri, one of MAP’s founders and a shining example of what it means to advocate for positive change! 

Stefanie has been a pillar of our community, dedicating herself to the evolution of Downtown Truckee into the vibrant hub it is today for the past 60 years. Her unwavering commitment to preserving special places and responsible development is truly remarkable. She dives headfirst into attending public hearings, making impactful public comments, and staying deeply engaged in the matters that shape our beloved town.

One of the priorities coming out of the Truckee 2040 General Plan is the River Steering Committee, now officially formed and meeting this week on Thursday, July 27th, at 10 am. MAP Executive Director Alexis Ollar has been appointed to the committee and will serve as the environmental nonprofit representative. The committee is tasked with working on a new strategy to address the communities' needs and hopes for revitalization. Learn more about the River Revitalization Strategy and attend the meeting at Town Hall on Thursday, July 27th, if you have ideas or suggestions for Truckee River Revitalization. 

See the agenda HERE

Placer County staff will conduct a virtual town hall meeting to present the Tahoe Basin Area Plan – Economic Sustainability and Housing Amendments. Staff will provide a summary of the proposed amendments, review changes made to the amendments since the December 8, 2022, Placer County Planning Commission hearing, and outline the next steps. MAP has been tracking the changes and meeting with the Placer County Planning Division to address our concerns about height, mass, scale, and density in North Lake Tahoe and better understand the amendments. Join us at the Virtual Town Hall on August 1st and get the latest updates on TBAP! 

For more information, go to Tahoe Basin Area Plan Virtual Town Hall

Join the Zoom Here: https://placer-ca-gov.zoom.us/j/94120094205?pwd=MHFJck5LTUV6RlpXMWluMFR6MU5vUT09

Webinar ID: 941 2009 4205

Passcode: 870615

MAP is sharing this community petition from the West Shore community, and a grassroots effort to Keep Homewood Public. The community needs to speak up and hold TRPA and Placer County accountable for guaranteeing the public access and community benefits codified in the Master Plan.

Sign the petition to tell TRPA and Placer County to honor the Master Plan’s promises to the community.


June E-News

June E-News


13th Annual Sierra Forage Dinner | Tickets On Sale NOW

Tickets to the 13th Annual Sierra Forage Dinner hosted by Mountain Area Preservation are On Sale NOW! Join MAP and celebrate thirty-six years of environmental advocacy at our main fundraising event this year, at the Olympic Valley Stables on Friday, August 18th, from 5:00 - 9:00 pm. The Sierra Forage Dinner will feature a locally sourced, sustainable, multi-course, vegan meal with wine pairings, live music, and a live auction to benefit MAP’s mission and work!  

Tickets are $125 per person, or you can purchase a reserved table for ten guests for $1500. Tables are limited, so if you want a crew of people with you at the dinner, purchase your table now during our early ticket sale! Remember, tables are limited, and with only 150 seats available, these tickets will sell quickly!

MAP Board Recognition| Thank You, Sarah Reynaud! 

Thank you, Sarah Reynaud, for your service to MAP and the Board from October 2020 to June 2023. Sarah served on the Stewardship and Projects Committee for MAP, helping to enhance our signature events and build volunteers. As a local business owner and Truckee Tahoe advocate, Sarah will remain involved as a Business Member and lend a hand at our future outreach and fundraising events! Sarah, thank you again for your service and dedication to MAP’s work! 

MAP Youth Environmental Scholarship Recipient | Laurel Anderson

 Congratulations to Laurel Anderson, recipient of the MAP Youth Environmental Scholarship this year. Laurel is a young environmental advocate and a four-year distinguished scholar participating in athletics, school clubs, playing music, and more!  

Starting at a young age Laurel dedicated her time and energy to environmental advocacy. In 6th grade, Laurel gave public presentations on climate solutions due to her experience rafting the entire length of the Truckee River watershed with Rivers for Change. In 8th grade, she led her school’s climate strike. In 9th grade, she co-founded the Citizen’s Climate Lobby Youth Action Team. Last year she participated in an American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) summer program on effective activism and captained the US Women’s U19 Raft Team at the 2022 World Championships in Bosnia. 

 All of us at MAP wish Laurel the best of luck as she pursues her education at the University of California Los Angeles to pursue a career in Environmental Law.

MAP Business Member Spotlight | KMI Wealth 

We’d like to give a huge shoutout to Business Member KMI Wealth and their empowering partnership with MAP! Owner Kristen Mayer is shattering glass ceilings in financial asset management and making a tangible difference in our community and environment. As the MAP Treasurer, Kristen also actively ensures that our investments support our mission and values while setting us up for a solid financial future. 

Look out for Kristen/KMI Wealth at Wandering Wyld functions, inspiring local female business owners, sponsoring MAP fundraisers and events, sharing her knowledge with our community, and advocating for conservation and smart growth in Truckee-Tahoe.

Looking for someone to help you manage your wealth? Look no further than KMI Wealth! Thank you, Kristen and KMI Wealth for your in-kind support to elevate MAP’s  mission and goals! 

MAP at Truckee Thursday This Summer 

Well, if you missed the first Truckee Thursday last week, you did not miss much. It was a bit of a fire drill with the weather, cutting the event quite short. Don’t worry, MAP will be back at Truckee Thursday on July 20th and August 10th from 5:00 to 8:30 pm in Historic Downtown Truckee. Get caught up on MAP’s priority campaigns, renew your MAP membership, or buy your tickets to the 13th Annual Sierra Forage Dinner. 

We hope to see the community and MAP members this summer downtown!

MAP Summer Membership Appeal Coming Your Way in July! 

Even though summer hasn't quite settled in yet, with those cool mornings and rainy afternoons, fear not! The warm and sunny Tahoe weather is just around the corner, and guess what? MAP's membership appeal is right there with it! We've been hard at work on our Summer Membership campaign, set to release next month. Of course, you don't have to wait for it to arrive in your mailbox or inbox to jump on board or renew your membership! We just couldn't contain our excitement and had to give our dedicated MAP members a heads-up on what's coming as we gear up for an incredible summer of fundraising and outreach!

Elevate Your Summer Gear - Put a MAP sticker On It!

Looking for a way to level up your gear this summer? Look no further - MAP Stickers can spruce up your outdoor lifestyle & show off your support for grassroots Truckee Tahoe environmental advocacy! With every sticker you purchase, you're getting a stylish accessory and fueling conservation work to protect open space & preserve mountain character. Put your advocacy on display with MAP stickers & don’t miss out on FREE SHIPPING! 


May E-News

May E-News


Truckee 2040 Approved - What’s Next? 

On May 9th, just before midnight, the Truckee Town Council approved the next General Plan to guide growth, development, and conservation over the next 15+ years. The public process started in 2018, and MAP has been there every step of the way, participating and organizing the community to get involved.  

More than 50 comment letters were submitted by May 9th, and 25 verbal comments were made at the hearing, with the majority asking Councilmembers to still not approve or, at the bare minimum, consider making some additional changes. Letters and testimony of support were at an all-time low in the process, even until the final hearing with massive council outreach before plan adoption, yet Truckee 2040 was approved.  

So what does General Plan approval mean now? The council and staff have stated that the next step will be moving forward with key components: 

- First, Development Code updates, which includes all land use, zoning, and subdivision regulations. It is important to understand that the land uses associated with Truckee 2040 are only in effect once the Development Code is updated to align with the General Plan.  

- Second, bring together the West River Street Advisory Committee to begin discussions for a reimagined West & East River Street corridor. MAP Executive Director, Alexis Ollar has been invited to serve on the committee, which will initiate in late summer or early fall.  

- Third, work with Tahoe Forest Hospital on their campus Master Plan. 


MAP plans to keep our members, partners, and followers informed as Truckee 2040 progresses, as the process is never over! Read more on our Truckee 2040 page about what changed at the final hearing and MAP’s advocacy efforts to strengthen goals, policies, and actions for open space, natural resources, climate action, river revitalization, workforce housing, environmental justice and accountability for implementation of the General Plan. 

Thank You, Truckee 2040 Advocates! 

Thank you, MAP members, advocates, followers, and partners, for showing up over the last five years during one of the most challenging public processes in the history of Truckee Tahoe! Our die-hard advocates attended half a decade of public process meetings; three years were on Zoom. Your ability to keep showing up fueled our passion for Truckee, and why MAP was created back in 1987.  

Whether you took a survey, signed a petition, donated, or shared a MAP Action Alert, your efforts made a difference! By far, the hustle of 2023 has been a lot to keep up with, and if it weren’t for our members making MAP happen, we would not have been able to keep up either. 

It was no easy task to stay involved in the General Plan update since 2018, and we are grateful for everyone who stuck it out along our side! Your time and expertise to ensure sound community planning for present and future generations did not go unnoticed and is critical for Truckee. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

13th Annual Sierra Forage Dinner Tickets On Sale In June 

MAP’s main fundraiser will return to the Stables in Olympic Valley this summer for the 13th Annual Sierra Forage Dinner on Friday, August 18th, from 5:00 to 9:00 pm. The dinner will feature a  farm-to-table, multi-course dinner paired with wines, live music, and a live auction to benefit MAP’s mission and work!  

Help us raise critical funds to support environmental advocacy for Truckee Tahoe, while celebrating thirty-six years of grassroots conservation.  Tickets will go on sale, on June 21st, on MAP's website. Stay tuned via social media for event teasers & our ticket sales announcement! 

MAP Business Member Spotlight | Tahoe Gifting Co.

We want to give Darya and Matt of Tahoe Gifting Co. a huge shout-out for all the love and support they are spreading through their business about MAP!

Earlier this month, Tahoe Gifting Co. hosted a Party for Preservation, curated a box of meaningful gifts, and sold raffle tickets to support MAP. The event raised $360 and helped get MAP’s name out in Incline Village at their adorable shop. Thank you, Tahoe Gifting Co. for your support and continued elevation of our mission and work! 

Thank You Peggy & Jack Baskin Foundation

 Thank you, Peggy & Jack Baskin Foundation, for your continued support of MAP’s mission and work. We are truly grateful to receive a grant from the foundation, supporting our long-term grassroots advocacy and for Truckee Tahoe’s environment and community. 

MAP's Website is Now Multilingual!

 We are thrilled to announce an exciting addition to our website, Language Translation! With the integration of the language-translation tool, we are breaking down barriers and empowering access to our community members who have different language needs, to bring access to land use planning and conservation efforts in Truckee-Tahoe. 

At MAP, we strongly believe that environmental justice and equal access to information go hand in hand. By introducing this new translation feature, we strive to bridge the communication gap for land use advocacy in the region. Be sure to share this news with your friends and neighbors! 

Join or renew your MAP membership today and help fuel our efforts to protect open space, preserve mountain character, and support the community! By becoming a MAP Member, you will stay informed, engaged, and connected in land use, development, open space conservation, and housing by receiving timely updates, participating in meaningful discussions, and accessing valuable resources for community planning. 

As a member, your support is critical in helping to fund grassroots efforts to help shape land use policies and programs to advance conservation and environmental justice in the Truckee Tahoe region! 

Dollar Creek Crossing Housing Project Submitted to Placer County 

The Dollar Creek housing project proposed in Tahoe City has been slowly moving through the public process and has now been submitted to Placer County. The current project proposes 80 rental units and 30 for-sale units and incorporates feedback from community members and partner agencies as well as information gathered from additional studies. 

The project will have an environmental review period and public hearings, all to be announced by Placer County as it starts its formal review. Learn more about the project submittal on Placer County’s website and take a look at the application submitted HERE.  

Placer County Community Housing Conversation Series

To better inform the community about housing needs and solutions, the Placer County Community Development Resource Agency will host a free four-part virtual speaker series from June 1 to June 14. 

This series will provide information on housing options in the region and explore questions about housing. The speaker series will be broadcast via Zoom beginning on June 1 at 6 pm.

Meet MAP At Truckee Thursdays 

Get ready to meet MAP downtown! Find us at our Truckee Thursday booth in Historic Downtown Truckee on June 22, July 21, and August 11. Catch up on our current environmental advocacy efforts to Save Tahoe, preserve open space, and protect mountain character. 

Join us for a blast at Truckee Thursdays, grab our newest stickers and logo ware, and learn how we're making a positive impact in Truckee Tahoe. We can’t wait to see you there!


April E-News

April E-News


Help MAP Grow Advocacy | Every Day is Earth Day! 

Happy Earth Month! While we celebrate our planet every day, may April serve as a reminder of the critical work MAP and the community have achieved to protect our natural resources, preserve mountain character, and foster community over the last thirty-five years. Environmental advocacy is among the least funded sectors, with less than 2% of charitable donations worldwide, yet our work creates priceless conservation and community benefits. This Earth Month, we are asking our friends and members to help MAP grow environmental advocacy! 

Truckee 2040 Delayed Until May 9th

 On April 13th, the Town Council (4-1) supported a short delay in the Truckee 2040 General Plan timeline. Their goal was to spend a few more weeks working with community organizations and locals in the hopes of building trust and securing community buy-in. Here at MAP, we still feel that the General Plan falls short, so we are continuing to advocate for General Plan policies and actions that support marginalized community members, meet the housing needs of the local workforce, protect open space and natural resources, and reach climate goals. Join us at 5:00 pm at Town Hall on May 9th to participate in the culmination of this once-in-a-generation General Plan update. 

Truckee 2040 Coffee Talk Meetings 

Do you have questions, comments or concerns about the Truckee 2040 General Plan update? Do you think the final draft meets the mark or is there still work to be done to outline a future for Truckee that represents the community’s vision? Join Truckee’s elected officials at an upcoming Coffee Talk for your opportunity to convey your thoughts, express your perspective and ensure that Truckee’s General Plan is by the community, for the community.

 

Councilmembers Jan Zabriskie and Anna Klovstad will be at The Lifthouse Coffee Co. this Saturday, Mayor Lindsay Romack will be at Wild Cherries on Monday, and the Mayor will join Councilmember Courtney Henderson at Wagon Train Coffee Shop next Monday, May 8th. 

Vacancy Tax Study

 On March 28th, the Truckee Town Council approved a contract for the development of potential commercial and residential vacancy tax options, as outlined in the Truckee 2040 General Plan update. The word around town is that many folks (especially second-homeowners) are fired up about this study. It’s important to note that this is simply an analysis to determine whether a tax measure like this should be further considered by voters down the road. 

 

In other communities, vacancy taxes have been used to help address critical housing and commercial shortages by incentivizing property owners to fill vacant infrastructure. The collected funds have been used for various purposes, including subsidies for affordable housing. This study will help community stakeholders understand the implications of a vacancy tax in Truckee in order to determine whether it is a tool worth pursuing. Results of the analysis will be presented at a public meeting this summer. Stay tuned for more information as it becomes available.

SAVE THE DATE | 13th Annual Sierra Forage Dinner

Friday, August 18th at the Stables in Olympic Valley 

The Sierra Forage Dinner returns to the Stables in Olympic Valley on Friday, August 18th. Save the date and make a plan to join MAP for an evening of great food, upbeat tunes, and community connection that celebrates Truckee Tahoe environmental advocacy.

MAP Monthly Member Spotlight | The Riley Family 

We're grateful for our Monthly MAP Members, who play a critical role in our ability to advocate for smart growth and preserve Truckee Tahoe’s open spaces and natural places. The Riley Family is a shining example of this support. As Monthly MAP Members, they've made a regular, sustained commitment to bolstering our mission and work, helping us create even greater outcomes for our community.

Ready to make a big impact on Truckee Tahoe advocacy? Simply make a small change on your donation form today by switching from a one-time donation to a monthly donation and join our Monthly MAP Members in fueling our mission and work!

MAP Business Member Spotlight | Truckee Tahoe Lumber Company 

Truckee Tahoe Lumber is a proud supporter of MAP's mission to preserve our mountain character for present and future generations. As a trusted member of the business community, they believe in the importance of supporting environmental advocacy efforts that benefit both our local economy and the natural world that surrounds us.

“Truckee Tahoe Lumber supports MAP because we believe in their mission of promoting sustainable, responsible development of our mountain communities in ways that preserve their natural resources and unique culture.” - Andrew Cross, President

MAP in the media! The Truckee 2040 General Plan update was a hot topic in the news last month. Get caught up by reading a recap of the latest Truckee Town Council hearings and listening to a MAP and CATT interview on 101.5 Truckee Tahoe Radio. 

This article by Alex Hoeft at Moonshine Ink provides a great overview of the hearings on April 11th and 13th when the Town Council considered adoption of the Truckee 2040 General Plan. Find out why they opted to delay the process and what they’re hoping to get out of the brief General Plan pause.

MAP’s Executive Director, Alexis Ollar, and the Contractor Association of Truckee Tahoe’s Patrick Flora sit down with JD Hoss to discuss Truckee 2040 General Plan policies in this 101.5 Truckee Tahoe Radio Spot. 

Dollar Creek Crossing Housing Project Update at NTRAC 

On April 20th, Placer County staff presented updates on the Dollar Creek Crossing Housing Project to the North Tahoe Regional Advisory Council. This was an informational item covering the project details and timeline, the community engagement process, and environmental review. At present, the County is proposing the development of a mix of housing types, including up to 80 for-rent units and up to 30 for-sale units on the 11.4-acre property. Some of the key ongoing considerations include project layout, traffic implications, and fire safety. 


In terms of next steps, Placer County is anticipating completion of the environmental review this fall/winter, with entitlements projected for late 2023 or early 2024. They are hoping to submit affordable housing grant applications in 2024 and targeting initial construction to begin in 2025. For more information, take a look at the project website and sign up for the project e-mail list.

Mountain Housing Council | How do Housing Challenges in the Tahoe Truckee Area Impact You?

The Mountain Housing Council of Tahoe Truckee is conducting a community survey in order to better understand the region’s housing challenges. This information will be collected anonymously and used to determine what type of housing solutions can best serve the area’s workforce needs.

This survey takes approximately 10 minutes or less, and is meant to provide an update to similar information that was collected in 2016 and 2021 in the Tahoe Truckee region, as well as to assess the more immediate housing impacts on the region. Your input is important in helping to facilitate impactful, efficient solutions in the region and for your community. 

Placer County is initiating their 2050 General Plan update! The existing General Plan was last comprehensively updated in 1994, with policy updates completed in 2013 and several area plan updates finished more recently. Placer County has been one of the fastest growing counties in the country, so this update is critical and will serve as their roadmap for the next 25 years. Community workshops will begin soon, so sign up for the General Plan Mailing List and discover other ways to get involved on the Placer County 2050 General Plan website


March E-News

March E-News


Truckee 2040 | Final Planning Commission Hearing Recap 

General Plan & Final EIR Not Recommended for Approval 

Last week was a Truckee Planning Commission marathon, with back-to-back meetings on March 21st and 22nd to review and provide recommendations to the Town Council on the Final Truckee 2040 General Plan, Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR), and Final Downtown Specific Plan. So, how did it all play out? After much deliberation and several proposed edits, the Planning Commission recommended denial of the Truckee 2040 General Plan, denial of the current version of the FEIR, and approval of the Downtown Specific Plan. 

Read more of the Planning Commission recap on our Truckee 2040 webpage.


Tahoe Basin Area Plan Community Workshop Recap 

On Thursday, March 23, 2023, Placer County and the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) hosted a Community Workshop for the Tahoe Basin Area Plan Amendments (TBAP). The workshop was well attended, and from our perspective, the County and TRPA are listening to the community and environmental stakeholder concerns. The EIR addendum is in process, and it seems the proposed changes to height and the definition for achievable housing are in flex since the public outcry last fall. The workshop included renderings that illustrate the height increase allowance from 56 feet to 61 ft, which would be for certain areas in Town Centers, only in Kings Beach and Tahoe City. The TBAP Amendments are expected to return to the Planning Commission this summer. MAP will keep the community informed on the EIR status, hearings, and other related land use applications in North Lake Tahoe as this public process continues.


Members Make MAP Happen | Monthly Member Testimonials 

Have you heard? Members truly make MAP happen! Since 1987, our work has been powered by membership donations to support our priority campaigns focused on protecting open space, preserving mountain character, and supporting community needs, such as workforce housing. Over the course of thirty-five years, MAP members have stuck with us, elevating our voice and funding our mission to keep us fighting the good fight! Check out some of our proud Monthly MAP Members' testimonials and join them in supporting MAP's mission and work!


Welcome New MAP Board Member | Melinda Maxfield 

Please join MAP in welcoming our new board member—Melinda Maxfield. She has been a local for almost 30 years, when her husband, Dave Hatchett, introduced her to the wonders of the Tahoe backcountry. In addition to working on her husband’s snowboarding film crew for many years, Melinda also started her own infant/toddler product company and served on various boards. Most recently, she served on the Amazon Conservation Team board, which partners with indigenous communities to protect tropical forests and strengthen traditional culture. Seeing the devastating impacts of rampant development in the Amazon, she notices that Lake Tahoe’s mountain culture is also in danger.  One of the many reasons she joined MAP is to ensure the integrity of the Tahoe way of life continues. To learn more about Melinda, read her full bio here.


Thank You, Truckee Planning Commissioner Nikki Riley, For Your Service! 

Thank you, Nikki Riley, for a decade of public service to the Truckee community by serving on the Planning Commission. Nikki Riley just finished her final Truckee Planning Commission hearing and had been appointed to serve during three different terms under three separate Town Council Members. Nikki’s last five years of service were dedicated to ensuring sound land use planning and governance to various housing/commercial projects, as well as the gigantic undertaking of being part of the Truckee 2040 General Plan Update process. Her passion, determination, strong voice, and a keen eye for detail will be greatly missed! Thank you for serving with such a dedicated heart, brain, and spirit for the environment and community! Not many volunteers do their homework like Nikki.


Dollar Creek Crossing Update  

The Dollar Creek Crossing Housing Project is coming to the North Tahoe Regional Advisory Council (NTRAC) on Thursday, April 20th. Placer County Staff will give an update on the project status and overview. On March 16, 2023, county staff submitted a Dollar Creek Crossing housing project application to the Placer County Planning Services Division. This application is preliminary, and the project details will evolve over the coming months as the project team works with the Planning Services Division, the TRPA, and community stakeholders. The application, more information, and frequently asked questions can be found on the project webpage.


MAP in the media! Get caught up on some of our priority land-use efforts and read articles from the last month that highlight development in Lake Tahoe and the controversial Village at Palisades Project.  

From environmental challenges to political controversies, Tahoe's future is looking uncertain. Read a recent Reno Gazette Journal opinion piece by Pamela Tsigdinos on what is happening with land-use planning and development in Lake Tahoe.

Have you heard about the decade-long battle that's shaping the future of Lake Tahoe's Olympic Valley?  Check out an article by Hannah Truby, a University of Nevada at Reno Graduate Student, covering what seems to be a never-ending land use battle in the  region. It's a wild ride through the ups and downs of the fight for the future of this iconic ski resort town.


February E-News

February E-News


Help Sustain our Mission Year Round, Become a Monthly Member  

Monthly donations to Mountain Area Preservation make a meaningful and sustained impact in protecting the natural environment and quality of life for the Truckee Tahoe region. By becoming a monthly member, you can help support MAP's priority land use campaigns that address critical issues such as protecting open space, preserving mountain character, and helping to further community benefits through sound land use planning.

Your monthly membership will help MAP continue our vital work of promoting responsible land use and advocating for policies that prioritize protecting Truckee-Tahoe's natural resources. With your ongoing support, MAP can more effectively engage in community outreach, organize grassroots campaigns, and work with conservation partners and decision-makers to ensure a sustainable future.

If you care about preserving beautiful landscapes and ecosystems for future generations, consider becoming a monthly member today! Your support helps create lasting change and will allow us to make a real difference in Truckee Tahoe.

Save Tahoe | Appeals Court Victory One Year Ago! 

On February 13, 2022, the California Third District Appellate Court ruled in conservationists' favor in the longstanding battle to challenge Martis Valley West, a 760-unit luxury development slated for North Lake Tahoe's ridgeline. MAP, the League to Save Lake Tahoe, and Sierra Watch initiated our legal challenge in 2016 and have since had two positive court rulings to stop the project, in 2018 at the Placer County Trials Court and in 2022 at the Appeals Court.  

The Placer County Board of Supervisors officially rescinded the project approvals and decertified the Environmental Impact Report just last fall, and as many of our MAP followers know, things take time in land use, especially when working to settle a lawsuit. We may be quiet on our Save Tahoe updates, but please know our groups are working diligently to further the vision for protecting 7,500 acres in the North Lake Tahoe and Martis Valley watershed. 

Truckee 2040 | Tell Decision Makers What to Prioritize for 2040  

Planning and prioritization aren’t easy. So, imagine you’re at the end of a 5-year planning process to outline the future of development and conservation for an entire town. You get to the end and there are over 300 action items to be implemented. How would you decide what to do first or second or third? This is exactly why Truckee needs you to review the 300+ action items  and write to Truckee decision makers today telling them which actions are most important for this community and need to be implemented first.  

MAP’s top 10 most pressing Truckee 2040 actions are the ones that protect open space, preserve community character, support the local workforce, and improve the quality of life. Use MAP’s Advocacy Form below to get started on your comments and modify it based on your Truckee expertise and perspective. You can also submit comments through the Town’s Comment Form. Send your thoughts as soon as possible and make a plan to Join MAP for the final Truckee 2040 Planning Commission hearings on March 21st and March 22nd, and the FINAL Truckee 2040 Town Council Hearing on April 11th. 

Palisades Tahoe Village Proposal | What Comes Next in the Public Process? 

 An indoor water park, up to 1,493 bedrooms in 850 mixed-resort units, and 297,733 sf of commercial space all crammed into a valley with one way in and potentially no way out in the event of a wildfire. What could we be talking about? Yep, you guessed it. The controversial, larger-than-life Village at Palisades Tahoe Project has reared its ugly head once again. The public comment period for the project’s Revised Draft Environmental Impact Report (RDEIR) closed on January 30th and Placer County received 2,686 comment letters ahead of the deadline. 

In terms of next steps, Placer County and their environmental consultant, Ascent, will be reviewing and responding to the comments to be included in the Final EIR. This process will likely take a couple of months to complete. At that point, the project will be presented to the Planning Commission for a formal recommendation and ultimately to the Board of Supervisors, who will decide whether to approve the project and certify the EIR. There is no definitive timeline for these hearings as of yet, but stay tuned for more information as it becomes available. 

Tahoe Basin Area Plan Amendments | Workshop on March 9th

 Placer County will be hosting a workshop on their proposed Tahoe Basin Area Plan (TBAP) amendments on March 9th from 4-6 pm at the North Tahoe Event Center (8318 N Lake Blvd, Kings Beach). The package of TBAP Economic Sustainability and Housing amendments would modify requirements in Tahoe town centers within Placer County, notably in Kings Beach and Tahoe City. Among other requirements, the amendments would alter height, massing, parking, multi-family, and groundwater interception standards within these areas. 

The workshop comes in response to community comments received at recent Placer County meetings. For many, there is confusion about what the amendments would and wouldn’t do, where the proposals came from, and a desire to provide meaningful feedback. The workshop will cover a variety of topics, including height, massing, achievable housing, density and TRPA development rights, and town center reinvestment. It should be an interesting one and we hope to see you there!

MAP Youth Environmental Scholarship

 The scholarship program through the Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation is now open! Graduating seniors looking into a two-year or four-year college/university and pursuing a degree in the environmental science/studies sector can apply for the MAP Environmental Scholarship. Special focuses can include natural resource management, planning, law, policy, or sustainability. The scholarship is awarded to one North Tahoe graduating senior for $1,000. Learn more about the MAP Scholarship and the TTCF Scholarship Program.

North Tahoe Community Alliance | Your Voice Matters in Setting Regional Priorities  

Traffic, Housing, Tourism Management. Do one (or all) of these topics evoke strong opinions? Each is a hot topic these days. As a valued member of our community, the Placer County Board of Supervisors and the North Tahoe Community Alliance Board of Directors want to learn about your thoughts on prioritizing and investing our local funds to address opportunities like these in the community. Take a few minutes to complete this short survey.

Town of Truckee Outreach Survey  

The Town of Truckee is seeking input on strategies for improving their outreach and communication. Fill out the survey below by March 31, 2023 and be entered into a raffle for a chance to win a $250 Visa gift card. The survey is available in English and Spanish.

MAP in the media! Get caught up on some of our priority land use efforts and read articles from the last month that highlight non-profits in the region, the Tahoe Basin Area Plan Amendments and the Truckee 2040 General Plan.


January E-News

January E-News


2023 is here, creating a new opportunity to get involved in environmental advocacy and help protect what you LOVE, Truckee Tahoe! MAP has big priorities for this year - to protect open space, preserve mountain character, and advocate for community needs, such as workforce housing. One of our biggest aspirations for 2023 is working to further our Save Tahoe goals by permanently protecting 7,500 acres in the North Lake Tahoe and Martis Valley Watershed by stopping Martis Valley West, which is why we need your continued support!  

Membership donations, civic engagement, and community activism make MAP happen. We can’t carry out our mission without the backing of MAP members, who help power our grassroots advocacy efforts for present and future generations! Please consider joining MAP as a member by becoming a monthly donor, and make a resolution to invest in grassroots advocacy every month! Big or small, your monthly donation sustains us as we prepare for another big year of advocacy and activism for the Truckee Tahoe region. Don’t forget, MAP membership comes with perks too. Make your New Year’s resolution come true and become a MAP member in 2023!

MAP Business Member Em Deane Kelley, founder of Locals Creative, is a true advocate for Truckee Tahoe. No matter the cause, we can always count on Locals Creative to elevate our Action Alerts, events, and social posts or support creative ways to collaborate and fundraise.  As a MAP Business Member, Locals Creative launched a Respect the Locals campaign in conjunction with our Give Back Tahoe fundraiser at the close of 2022. Through Locals Creative's peer-to-peer campaign, $285 was raised during Give Back Tahoe, helping to reach our goal of raising over $40,000 for MAP’s mission and work! Thank you, Locals Creative, for your continued support and philanthropy for Truckee Tahoe environmental advocacy.

Locals Creative supports the preservation of open space and mountain character. We care deeply about MAP’s mission and message and the collaboration we’ve been able to create. We donate to support the people, wildlife, and place where we are lucky enough to call home.  -Em Deane Kelley, Founder of Locals Creative

Truckee 2040—Next Stop: Approval?

After 4+ years, the end is in sight for the Town of Truckee’s General Plan Update (GPU). Here at MAP, we were hoping the Town would address the many concerns that the community brought forth regarding the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) and GPU, as well as the problematic self-mitigating plan framework. Over 50 public comment letters were submitted on the DEIR. MAP and others requested that the Town address those concerns, update the DEIR and recirculate it. After all, Truckee 2040 should be by the community, for the community and in its latest iteration, we do not believe it met those objectives. 

The Town is eager to move forward the plan as soon as possible and at all costs. According to Town staff, final plan adoption dates for the Planning Commission and Town Council are now set for March 21, 2023 and April 11, 2023, as reported in the Town Council meeting this week. We’ll keep the community informed as we learn more, but add those dates to your calendar now and show up for Truckee! 

It’s hard to believe, but the Village at Palisades Tahoe Specific Plan is back, and it’s the same concerning proposal originally submitted in 2011, and approved in 2016. Following the approval, conservation organization Sierra Watch challenged the merits of the Environmental Impact Report (EIR), and the courts ultimately determined that the EIR inadequately addressed transportation and circulation, air quality, noise, hydrology and water quality, and hazardous materials and hazards.  

The Placer County Planning Commission met last Thursday, January 19th to consider comments on the plan’s Partially Revised Draft Environmental Impact Report (RDEIR). The meeting started with a staff recap of the main plan components for the massive 94-acre, mixed-use development, which would include up to 1,493 bedrooms in 850 mixed resort units, up to 50 units of employee housing to support 300 employees (this one doesn’t pencil out no matter how you shake it), 297,733 sf of commercial space and a 90,000 sf Mountain Adventure Camp with an indoor water park.  

Next, legal representation for Alterra contended that the RDEIR need only address the legal deficiencies outlined by the courts and stated that it’s inappropriate to revise and recirculate the whole EIR as there haven’t been any significant changes or new data to analyze since the plan was first approved. Following these assertions, a variety of public comments were presented, the vast majority of which outlined concerns and additional information that does indeed warrant consideration in the RDEIR. Over 600 public comment letters were also submitted ahead of the meeting. Concerns ranged from inadequate analysis of current wildfire trends to water supply issues to insufficient consideration of impacts to Lake Tahoe. The applicant encouraged the County to address additional information presented by the public, so we’ll be curious to see whether that happens. 

The public comment period for the Palisades RDEIR is open until January 30th at 5:00 pm.  

MAP will be submitting comments about new data that needs to be considered in terms of population changes, wildfire evaluation, climate change, water supply, cumulative impacts, and insufficient evaluation of impacts on Lake Tahoe. MAP supports redevelopment in Olympic Valley, but not at the scale currently identified and only with necessary mitigation measures in place. We know that Alterra can do better and work with the community to develop a plan that reduces water consumption, focuses development in previously disturbed areas, and provides environmental and community benefits.  

Join us in illustrating the RDEIR’s inadequacies and telling Alterra and Placer County that this community is ready and willing to come to the table with ideas that will benefit us all. 

Placer County’s proposed Tahoe Basin Area Plan (TBAP) Amendments first became known to the public back in October and for many, they came as quite the surprise. Following the introduction of the amendments, the public meetings came fast and furious with a variety of mixed perspectives expressed through public comments. The TBAP Economic Sustainability and Housing amendments (which include modifications to height, massing, parking, multi-family and groundwater interception requirements in portions of the Tahoe Basin within Placer County) are generally supported by the business and development communities with serious concerns expressed by other community members and environmental groups.  

So, what’s next on the agenda for these proposed amendments? According to Placer County staff, they have determined that the amendments do require an addendum to the Area Plan’s Environmental Impact Report (EIR). That addendum is currently underway. Additionally, given the amount of concern and confusion about the amendments, staff will be hosting a planning workshop on February 9th. The meeting details and format are still up in the air, but the focus will be on educating the public about policies and requirements currently outlined in the TBAP as well as how the amendments would change those requirements. The County’s goal is to create a more inclusive process and ensure that the community has an opportunity to fully participate and understand the proposed changes. Stay tuned for workshop details and more information in a future MAP Action Alert.