Launch of Tahoe Blue Beaches Program

Written by Katy Jo Caringer of ECO-CLEAN Solutions | Thursday, July 18th, 2024

In a recent media release by the League to Save Lake Tahoe, they detailed the launch of a new program, “Tahoe Blue Beaches,” set to ramp up in Lake Tahoe this summer. Many claim there is no better place than Lake Tahoe during the summer, thanks to its clear skies, warm sand, and pristine, blue water. However, maintaining this natural beauty requires constant action and collaboration between nonprofits, public agencies, businesses, and organizations, working together every day to ensure the water remains sparkling blue for everyone to enjoy.

The newly launched Tahoe Blue Beaches program, a collaboration between the League and the USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, aims to address the unique challenges of Tahoe’s beach during peak busy season.

By improving facilities, providing better education, and enforcing regulations, the program ensures responsible enjoyment of Tahoe’s beaches. Pilot testing at Zephyr Cove and Shoals, in partnership with Aramark Destinations, demonstrates a customized approach to beach management, making it easier for visitors to keep Tahoe beautiful.

Aerial view of Zephyr Cove Resort on July 1st, 2024 during a cleanup with Tahoe’s beach-cleaning robot, BEBOT. Image by: Katy Jo Caringer of ECO-CLEAN Solutions

“Lake Tahoe is a national treasure, with over 156,000 acres of National Forest land that is open for everyone to enjoy. With millions of visitors per year, it’s increasingly important that people do their part in practicing sustainable recreation while enjoying their public lands. The Tahoe Blue Beaches program will help people do just that,” said LTBMU Forest Supervisor Erick Walker. “This goal is one of the core pillars of the Lake Tahoe Destination Stewardship Plan, and one way we’ll reach our shared vision for Tahoe as a healthy, thriving, and welcoming place.”

For the 2024 Fourth of July holiday weekend at Zephyr Cove and Shoals, Aramark Destinations is adding 39 restrooms, five ADA-compliant restrooms, eight handwashing stations, and 46 trash receptacles throughout the property in addition to permanent, on-site facilities. Guests will be issued trash bags for an easy way to leave no trace, and Aramark Destinations will also be sorting waste to divert recyclable and compostable items away from the landfill.

Meek Bay Resort during a busy summer day in Lake Tahoe. Photo by: Katy Jo Caringer of ECO-CLEAN Solutions

ECO-CLEAN Solutions is thrilled to announce that Tahoe’s beach-cleaning robot, BEBOT, will be joining in the Blue Beach Program, operating on Tahoe’s beaches all summer long to keep the shorelines clean above and below the sand. BEBOT is dedicated to picking up thousands of small pieces of litter that get left behind and buried under the sand. Data collection results show that BEBOT can collect 10 times the amount of litter when combined with volunteer-powered cleanups.

In 2024, ECO-CLEAN Solutions teamed up with the North Tahoe Community Alliance to expand cleanup operations to the busy North Shore beaches. This expansion is made possible through grant funding provided by the TOT-TBID Dollars at Work program, contributing significantly to sustainable tourism throughout the region.

Tahoe’s beach-cleaning robots (BEBOT) in action at Meeks Bay, performing demo for the Washoe Tribe of Nevada & California. Photo by: Katy Jo Caringer of ECO-CLEAN Solutions.

“The best way to show your love for Lake Tahoe is to leave it better than you found it,” said League to Save Lake Tahoe Chief Strategy Officer Jesse Patterson. “By doing the little things, like picking up after ourselves and others, we can all set a good example for how to protect this special place, so it’s just as beautiful for all the summers to come.”

“We are grateful to the League, USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, and other partners who have collaborated closely with our team to ensure a safe and sustainable holiday weekend for Tahoe beachgoers and local residents,” said Aramark Destinations District Manager Kevin Schiesz. “Incorporating the Zephyr Shoals area into our operations is an honor, and we look forward to continuing our decades-long partnership with the LTBMU to safeguard the beach and enhance the visitor experience for future generations.”

Read more here: https://www.keeptahoeblue.org/news/beach-managers-and-operators-prepare-to-keep-tahoe-blue-this-summer/