Parking goes public on Tahoe’s east shore

Monday, Jan. 12, 1998 | 1:38 a.m.

Various Tahoe Basin agencies want further comment on a 1996 study that identified several locations for parking. to contribute their comments about parking.

"If people don't get involved their concerns might not be heard," says Don Lane, recreation supervisor for the U.S. Forest Service. "And then they will have to live with the results."

With only a handful of parking lots on the east shore, most visitors who hike to hidden beaches, including some that are clothing-optional, use shoulder parking on State Route 28.

Parking a few feet from the winding highway can be hazardous, and is also a concern to environmental planners who say off-trail hikers contribute to erosion. The result, say experts, is a damaged ecosystem and a lake that continues to lose clarity.

The Nevada Department of Transportation experimented last year by eliminating a half-mile section of shoulder parking on the highway. The Tahoe Transportation District implemented a weekend shuttle that transported waiting passengers from Spooner Summit and Incline Village. The parking ban limited visitors' options and many of those familiar with the issue say there must be alternatives available to users.

"There are a number of people using this area that are affected by our decisions," said Pam Drum, public information officer for the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency. "We have to find solutions to the parking situation."

There are several areas where parking lots could either be expanded or built. Meeting under the direction of TEAM Tahoe, a group devoted to east shore issues, agency representatives want to look at developing or expanding some of those sites.

They realize that even with new parking lots, the number of spaces may be cut in half. Shoulder parking allows 350 to 400 automobiles, whereas a couple of lots would only provide 150 to 200 spaces.

Kay Bennett, head of TEAM Tahoe, said one source of funding may come from the National Scenic Byway Program. State Route 28 has been designated a national treasure but another round of funding later this year may free up $1 million.

The TEAM Tahoe meetings have facilitated more discussion about the parking problems but also has brought compromise among the organizations. The people involved understand they must be in unison before they bring concepts to the public.

"We went into this with open minds when the planning began," said North Swanson, spokesperson for the Tahoe Area Naturists. The group has been very vocal about the shuttle and the shoulder parking. "We didn't want to get frozen out of the discussion. We want to be part of the solution."

Comments gathered from the scoping sessions are required for detailed environmental documents that must be filed by TRPA and the Forest Service. There are many pieces to solving the East Shore puzzle but planners are committed to working with residents in the upcoming weeks.

"The on-shoulder parking is detrimental to the environment and our key goal is protecting that corridor," Bennett said. "We've made good progress in the last few months."