Friends of the West Shore

Overview

Friends of the West Shore (FOWS) is a grassroots nonprofit community conservation organization dedicated to preserving the natural character, environment, and beauty of Lake Tahoe's West Shore. Established in 2007, FOWS focuses on protecting the region's watershed, wildlife, and rural quality of life for present and future generations.

Mission and Activities

• Conservation Efforts: FOWS works to preserve the natural environment of Lake Tahoe's West Shore by monitoring proposed and active development projects to assess their potential impacts.
• Community Engagement: The organization supports appropriate redevelopment that aligns with the scale and character of local communities. It also represents community interests at local, state, federal, and Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) meetings.
• Public Awareness: FOWS informs the public about issue updates and upcoming events through newsletters and other communication channels.

Priority Issues

Meeks Bay Restoration

FOWS is involved in the Meeks Bay Restoration project, which aims to restore the creek and lagoon, add a public pier and boat ramp, and modify the campground. While supportive of restoration efforts, FOWS expresses concerns about the impacts of the proposed pier and boat ramp on non-motorized beach use and the campground. Alternative solutions have been proposed for consideration.

State Route 89 Corridor Planning

This project involves examining issues such as parking, pedestrian access, and potential bike paths along the SR 89 corridor, particularly around Emerald Bay and Camp Richardson. FOWS is engaged as a stakeholder in this process.

Homewood Mountain Resort Expansion

In 2011, FOWS partnered with the Sierra Club to challenge the expansion approval of Homewood Mountain Resort. A settlement in 2014 reduced the expansion's impacts, improving traffic monitoring and mitigation. Subsequent lawsuits led to further measures to enhance evacuation systems and safety.

Structure and Impact

FOWS operates as a volunteer-based organization with over 500 supporters. It relies on community involvement and financial support to maintain transparency in local agencies, raise public awareness, and collaborate with other organizations to ensure the preservation of Lake Tahoe's West Shore environment. The organization is also prepared to take legal action when necessary to protect the region's natural resources.

Leadership

The Board of Directors includes notable figures such as Judith Tornese, who serves as President. Tornese is a founder and brings extensive experience in risk management to the organization. Other key members include Dana Schneider, who serves as Secretary, contributing her background in psychology and environmental preservation to the organization's mission.