Douglas County achieves fine sediment reduction goal

Douglas County exceeded its requirement to reduce fine sediment from reaching Lake Tahoe.

The mandate was a 10 percent reduction that had an equivalent of 41 credits. One credit is equal to 200 pounds of fine sediment particles. Douglas earned 53 credits.

The total maximum daily load program’s first deadline was in 2016. These numbers reflect those results. Each jurisdiction around the lake has goals established by the Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board and/or Nevada Division of Environmental Protection. 

The overriding goal is to improve the clarity of Lake Tahoe.

Douglas County is required to coordinate with the Kingsbury General Improvement District on road operations, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency on private parcel best management practices compliance, and maintain water quality improvement projects annually to keep credits in place.

The next goal is a 21 percent reduction of fine sediment, or 101 credits, by 2021.