SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. — The California Tahoe Conservancy will present conceptual plans in December for restoring the south end of the Upper Truckee Marsh and for improving public access and recreation on the former Motel 6 property, agency officials said this week. The meetings mark the next public step in a multi-year effort to return a damaged floodplain to wetland and meadow habitat while balancing trails and visitor use.The Conservancy acquired the 31-acre parcel — including roughly 25 acres of wetlands and meadow — in 2024 and completed demolition of the motel and associated structures in October, clearing the way for restoration planning. The agency says the December workshops will share concept options informed by earlier public input and will solicit further feedback from residents, recreation groups and local stakeholders.
“This next phase gives us a chance to show concepts that restore natural functions of the marsh while providing safe, sustainable access for residents and visitors,”
Jason Vasquez, executive director of the Conservancy, said in a statement when demolition began.
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“We’re grateful to our partners and to the community for helping us get here.”
The Upper Truckee Marsh is the largest remaining wetland in the Tahoe Basin and serves as a natural filter for the Upper Truckee River before it reaches Lake Tahoe. Restoring the southern marsh helps trap sediment, slow peak flows and rebuild habitat for birds and amphibians — benefits that contribute directly to Lake Tahoe’s water clarity and to local flood resilience. Because much of the lower river is now in public ownership, the south parcel is a critical piece in reconnecting the floodplain.
What the December outreach will cover
According to the Conservancy’s project pages and news release, the December sessions will:
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Present conceptual restoration alternatives for the south marsh, including options for addressing several feet of imported fill that sits atop former wetlands.
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Show potential trail and access configurations that aim to protect habitat while maintaining recreation connections such as the South Tahoe Bikeway.
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Explain anticipated environmental review steps and timelines for design and permitting.
Attendees will have opportunities to comment and to ask staff about tradeoffs — for example, how much fill to remove versus the temporary disturbance and cost such work entails.
Who’s involved
The Conservancy is coordinating with state and local partners including the California Wildlife Conservation Board, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, Tahoe Fund, the League to Save Lake Tahoe and the Tahoe Resource Conservation District. Local interest groups, the Washoe Tribe and South Lake Tahoe officials have also been engaged in planning and outreach. Funding for the acquisition and demolition came from a mix of state, federal and non-profit sources.
Workshops are scheduled for Dec. 8, 9 and 10, 2025, the Conservancy’s project page shows; the agency also has posted materials online and invited residents to sign up for updates and site tours. Following the outreach, the Conservancy will refine preferred concepts and initiate the environmental review and permitting process required under CEQA and, where applicable, NEPA. Project timelines will depend on design decisions, permitting and phased funding.
Local environmental groups and recreation advocates have praised the Conservancy’s acquisition and demolition work while urging careful, science-based restoration that prioritizes long-term marsh functions. “Removing aging development from this floodplain is a big step toward restoring ecosystem functions that benefit the entire Basin,” said Amy Berry, CEO of the Tahoe Fund, in the Conservancy release. Community members who use the marsh for birding, walking and commuting by bike are watching the design choices closely, particularly where trails intersect sensitive habitat. Tahoe Conservancy
How to follow or weigh in
Residents can find meeting times, sign-up links and background materials at the Conservancy’s Upper Truckee Marsh South project page and can submit comments through the agency’s outreach portal. The Conservancy encourages people who care about water quality, wildlife and recreation access to participate early in the design process. Tahoe Conservancy+1
Email the Conservancy at info@tahoe.ca.gov.
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