Take Action for Tahoma
Our wilderness is the heartbeat of our community. Join us in the fight to protect our pristine trails and wildlife habitats.
Key Talking Points
The Tahoma water pipe replacement project is an essential upgrade for our community, but the current plan to place a heavy equipment staging site directly in or near our pristine wilderness puts our wild lands and ecosystems at risk. We believe in progress that respects nature. Our community is calling for these vital infrastructure improvements to be relocated to already-developed and paved areas. By shifting the construction site, we can secure our water future while ensuring our local forests, sensitive habitats, and beloved trails remain unharmed for future generations. Join us in advocating for a smarter, greener solution that protects the heart of Tahoma.
Advocacy Toolkit
Email Templates
Empower yourself with these essential resources to speak up for Tahoma. Use these practical tools to help protect our pristine wilderness and secure a sustainable future for our community.
Email Templates
Copy the email below, personalize the brackets, and paste into your email for sending. Simplified advocacy at your fingertips. Ready-to-use templates for contacting local representatives, news outlets, and community leaders with a clear message.
Quick Facts to Share
- There are viable paved alternative sites for the construction yard.
- The site near the water towers is a known nesting site of Northern Goshawks, an endangered and protected species.
- Sparks and heat exhaust from heavy equipment in this forested area adjacent to our home increases the risk of fire.
- The recreational trails that are beloved to our community will be compromised for five years or more..
- The natural environment around the water towers will be razed and fenced to house large equipment.
Use the templates below to contact your local representatives. Personalize the bracketed sections to share your unique connection to the Tahoma Wilderness.
Contacts and email addresses are below
Subject: Protecting Tahoma Wilderness
Dear [Representative Name],
In his letter to the community, Sean Barclay made it clear that TCPUD, our water district, has identified at least 30 construction staging site options. That leaves us with several questions.
WHY would they continue to pursue the only option that is located in wildlands, when sparks from heavy equipment and flammable fluids create a risk of wildfire?
WHY would they continue to pursue a site that is a known breeding ground for the Northern Goshawk, a protected and endangered species?
Why would they continue to pursue an option that will interfere with our community’s recreational resources?
WHY would they continue to pursue an option that will compact the forest floor, destroy vegetation and take decades for the forest to recover from?
WHAT could possibly be their motivation?
They are trading a permanent forest asset for a temporary logistical convenience, when there are at least 30 other staging options.
Please take a stand today by voicing your opposition to this proposed staging site. With the existence of 30 alternative sites that will not threaten habitat, wildlife or recreation, there is no reason to continue to entertain the water tanks as a possible construction staging site,
Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to your response and to seeing strong coordinated leadership to protect both wildlife and the community's ability to enjoy these lands responsibly.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
(Your email)
Brooke Laine, El Dorado County Supervisor. Brooke.laine@edcgov.us
Cindy Gustafson, Placer County Supervisor. BoardClerk@placer.ca.gov
California Tahoe Conservancy. Public_comment@tahoe.ca.gov
Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA). trpa@trpa.gov
Julie Regan, Executive Director, TRPA. Jregan@trpa.gov
Tahoe City Public Utility District, General Manager Sean Barclay. Sbarclay@tcpud.org
Tahoe City Public Utility District general email (ask for distribution to the Board). Info@tcpud.org
Subject: Protecting Tahoma Wilderness
Dear [Representative Name],
I am writing as a concerned community member to urge your agency to take strong immediate action to protect the Tahoma region-especially critical Northern Goshawk habitat and the recreational opportunities that bring our community together.
The forests around Tahoma support important habitat for the Northern Goshawk, a sensitive and protected species that depends on intact, healthy forest ecosystems. At the same time, these lands are essential for low-impact recreation such as hiking, walking, skiing and biking. Residents and visitors alike rely on these trails and open spaces for physical health, mental well being, and a sense of connection to this place and to one another . In light of proposed construction activities, I am asking your agency to :
-Protect Goshawk habitat by prohibiting the development of the proposed construction staging site near the water tanks.
-Ensure that decisions about the placement of construction staging sites are made with the least possible impact on wildlife, the community, and the environment, including careful siting away from sensitive habitat , neighborhoods, and key recreational corridors.
-Prioritize conservation in planning and permitting so that the Tahoma water system replacement project does not undermine habitat integrity or access to non-motorized recreation.
-Support and maintain recreation access for hiking, walking, skiing and biking, in ways that are compatible with wildlife protection and the long-term health of the forest.
-Engage the local community-residents, recreation groups, and conservation organizations in decisions that affect both the habitat and recreation in the Tahoma area.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to your response and to seeing strong coordinated leadership to protect both wildlife and the community's ability to enjoy these lands responsibly.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
(Your email)
Brooke Laine, El Dorado County Supervisor. Brooke.laine@edcgov.us
Cindy Gustafson, Placer County Supervisor. BoardClerk@placer.ca.gov
California Tahoe Conservancy. Public_comment@tahoe.ca.gov
Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA). trpa@trpa.gov
Julie Regan, Executive Director, TRPA. Jregan@trpa.gov
Tahoe City Public Utility District, General Manager Sean Barclay. Sbarclay@tcpud.org
Tahoe City Public Utility District general email (ask for distribution to the Board). Info@tcpud.org
Stay Informed
Join our Facebook community at Save Tahoma Wilderness for active discussions and real-time updates. We regularly share fresh developments here on our site. You can also attend public hearings by checking the official agency schedules online. If you need to review original agency documents, please reach out and we will gladly guide you to the correct resources.