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Research Partnerships
Tahoe Science Projects supported by SNPLMA
Scientific research to improve the environment in the Lake Tahoe Basin
The Tahoe Science Program receives funding through the Southern Nevada Public Lands Management Act (SNPLMA) to conduct science to inform efforts to restore Lake Tahoe and its watershed, as authorized in the Lake Tahoe Restoration Act. The Pacific Southwest Research Station (PSW) assumed responsibility in 2006 (Round 7 of SNPLMA) for sponsoring science projects using SNPLMA funds. The PSW Station established a competitive grant award program with a rigorous peer review process coordinated by the Tahoe Science Consortium, a collection of universities and agencies with active research programs at Lake Tahoe.
Projects by Round
What's New
PSW has issued a request for proposals for Tahoe science projects funded through SNPLMA Round 10.
A blank template for proposals is available.
This opportunity can be accessed through the grants.gov website, which includes blank forms. To access the opportunity to compete for funding under this RFP, search for one or more of the following attributes:
Opportunity Number: USDA-FS-PSW-TAHOE-2009
Opportunity Title: Tahoe Research Supported by SNPLMA Round 10
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA): 10.652 (Forestry Research)
Please check back to this website and the Grants.gov opportunity for any updates prior to submitting your proposal.
Featured
Priority Research Issues and projects designed to address them
Air Quality Air pollutants pose threats to health of humans and forests at Lake Tahoe, as well as to the clarity of the lake itself. Research is underway to evaluate these impacts and develop appropriate treatments.
Climate Change New and expanding tools are needed to inform policymakers about how future climate change will specifically affect the Lake Tahoe basin and provide information that can lead to proactive policy alternatives.
Forest Fuels and Vegetation Management Forest treatments, including prescribed burning, are planned to reduce wildfire hazards. Research is underway to evaluate how both treatments and wildfires can affect values such as air quality, water quality, and wildlife habitat.
Habitat Improvement Research is helping to better understand the special management needs of species and ecological communities that are particularly rare or vulnerable in the Tahoe basin.
Lake Quality To “Keep Tahoe Blue” is a primary goal in the Tahoe basin. A specific objective is to reverse the long-term decline in open-water clarity. Lake quality is also threatened by the spread of attached algae (periphyton) and non-native organisms.
Stormwater Management Fine sediments, nutrients, and other pollutants, particularly from urban areas and roads, pose major threats to the clarity of Lake Tahoe. Research is helping to design best management practices (BMPs) to prevent these pollutants from entering downstream waterways.
Stream Restoration Research is helping to design projects to restore stream geomorphic and ecological functions, including retention of fine sediments and enhancement of habitat for plants and animals.
Science Integration The Tahoe Science Consortium conducts workshops and provides technical assistance to apply current research to challenges facing management agencies within the Tahoe Basin.
Science Update Report
View the latest Science Update Report issued by PSW and the TSC. This report provides an overview of recent science in the Tahoe Basin in support of the Environmental Improvement Program (EIP) and the Lake Tahoe Restoration Act, focusing on the Tahoe Science Program funded by the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Agreement (SNPLMA) and science projects supported by the Nevada Tahoe License Plate Program. Readers, including potential applicants for funding, can learn more about completed and ongoing research projects, as well as management concerns as they relate to the SNPLMA Round 10 science themes.
Process for Selecting Projects
- In the fall, the Secretary of the Interior approves the SNPLMA package.
- PSW submits a request for proposals to address the research needs.
- Researchers submit proposals to address the research needs.
- TSC peer review process (click here for more details):
- Independent scientists review the proposals for scientific merit and effectiveness.
- Representatives of management agencies evaluate the relevancy of the proposals to the environmental challenges that they face.
- The peer review committee recommends projects to be funded based upon scientific quality, relevancy, and funding availability.
- PSW funds projects based on recommendations from the TSC peer review committee.
The "Guidance for Tahoe SNPLMA Science Researchers" is available to guide both prospective and currently funded investigators regarding administrative aspects of the program, including permitting, reporting, and publishing.
Science Issues
The Tahoe Science Consortium convenes a panel of scientists along with representatives of management agencies who collaboratively generate an annual list of research priorities, or science themes, ultimately approved by the Secretary of Interior.
For more information, contact Jonathan Long, Tahoe Science Program Coordinator
