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As society shifted from a rural to an urban society, public land regulation became important especially to city governments trying to control industry, commerce, and housing within its boundaries. By the 1970s, concerns about the environment and historic preservation led to further regulation. Today, federal, state, and local governments regulate growth and development through statutory law.
Land use measures being taken to protect Lake Tahoe water quality are regulations and programs that include:
Environmental Thresholds Carrying Capacities set environmental goals and standards for the Lake Tahoe Basin and indirectly define the capacity of the Region to accommodate additional land development. Land development may negatively affect attainment of an environmental thresholds. Special efforts, such as mitigation measures, must be taken to reduce impacts.
The Regional Plan Goals and Policies presents the overall approach to meeting the Thresholds. A key component of the Plan is the land use element. The land use element of the Plan identifies the fundamental philosophies directing land use and development in the Lake Tahoe Basin. It addresses topics like suitable development locations; maintenance of the environmental, social, physical, and economic well-being of the Region; and coordination with local, state, and federal requirements. The Land Use Element of the Lake Tahoe Regional Plan includes the following Subelements: land use, housing, noise, natural hazards, air quality, water quality, and community design. The Land Use subelements intend to establish land use goals and policies that will ensure the desired equilibrium and attain and maintain the environmental thresholds within a specific time schedule.
A number of regulations are needed to implement and enforce policies identified in the Plan. The Regulatory Code compiles all of the laws and ordinances needed to implement the Goals and Policies. Related to the Code are Plan Area Statements and Community Plans. Plan Area Statements provide a description of land use for particular areas in the Basin. The Lake Tahoe Region is divided into more than 175 separate Plan Areas. For each Plan Area, a “statement” is made as to how that particular area should be regulated to achieve environmental and land use objectives. Community plans are similar to Plan Area Statements, but focus on specific areas where humans dwell. |