For the 2008 and 2009 field seasons, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) and the Lake Tahoe Basin fire chiefs have agreed to make some changes to Best Management Practices (BMPs) recommendations to make it easier for homeowners to implement effective defensible space practices. These are described in the “Living With Fire—A Guide for the Homeowner, Lake Tahoe Basin” (Second Edition). Please make note of the following changes to specific pages in the “Home Landscaping Guide for Lake Tahoe and Vicinity,” University of Nevada Cooperative Extension (UNCE) publication EB 06-01.

Defensible Space Zones

The area from 0 – 5 feet from structures should be a noncombustible zone. In this zone, you should remove flammable shrubs and trees, dead branches and dried grass, flowers and weeds. Do not use pine needles, bark or wood mulches in this zone. This zone includes both the drip lines and gable ends of structures. It can be covered with gravel, rock, brick, concrete, or low-growing, irrigated herbaceous plants such as lawn, erosion control grasses, clover, forbs and succulents. Firewood, flammable construction materials and dead plant materials should be removed from this zone. Do not cross this zone with wood landscape timbers or boards.

GUIDING PRINCIPALS OF NATURAL LANDSCAPING

Environmental Protection and Enhancement: The Village has already incorporated several environmental protection and enhancement features into design guidelines. Greenways and pocket parks, boulevards, and nature preserves are examples of how the Village is creating environmentally friendly development. Having naturally landscaped areas will further complement these design elements, while enhancing and preserving the area’s historical origin.

Energy Conservation: Studies indicate that areas that are naturally landscaped, especially retention ponds, use significantly lower amounts of energy for storm water management and flood control than traditional, manicured landscaping does.

High-quality Construction and Aesthetic Design: Other communities have received national attention for their beauty and design that combines town and landscape planning. While staff does not see the Village reaching the intensity of some of these towns, there are opportunities to incorporate and encourage natural landscaping in both existing and future developments.

Envision a beautiful place near your home where there is native vegetation: grasses, sagebrush, oaks, and junipers or spruce, pine, and grasses. With an image in mind, place your house in the picture without disturbing the site. The view from inside your home is a natural garden. Occasionally you see deer and butterflies, and bird songs fill the air. Your water bill is reduced, there is little or no lawn mowing, and less fertilizing and maintenance. This is what Water-wise landscaping can be (Figure 3). It can be a contemporary landscape, a modification of a traditional
style, or a combination of styles – the commonality is low water use.

Water-wise landscaping is landscaping without wasting water. It includes planning a yard for your lifestyle, grouping plants together with similar water requirements, watering just to meet plant needs and using non-water consuming areas, such as decks and patios.