Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) announced $3.4 million in funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to prevent and combat the spread of aquatic invasive species in Lake Tahoe. This grant award is part of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (USFWS) Lake Tahoe Environmental Improvement Program, and it will support continued collaboration with the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California and the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency in the Basin. Additionally, in 2020 Senators Cortez Masto and Rosen created the Invasive Species in Alpine Lakes Pilot Program to protect lakes like Lake Tahoe.
“I’m doing everything I can to make sure Lake Tahoe is protected for generations to come, and I’m glad to see these federal dollars I secured will help to restore native wildlife habitat and stop the spread of invasive species threatening the lake,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “I will keep working to deliver more resources for Nevada to protect our beautiful national treasures.”
“Lake Tahoe is a crown jewel of the West with an ecosystem like no other, and we must do everything we can to preserve it for generations to come,” said Senator Rosen. “I’m proud to have helped secure funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to protect the Lake Tahoe Basin from invasive species and preserve one of our state’s most beautiful natural wonders.”
The Lake Tahoe Basin faces significant threats from aquatic invasive species, including the Eurasian watermilfoil. This invasive weed disrupts aquatic ecosystems and outcompetes native plants. This year’s funding will support three key areas:
- Continuing to remove Eurasian watermilfoil in the Taylor and Tallac creeks and marshes, which are infested with approximately 17 acres of the invasive species.
- Working with the Washoe Tribe to curb the spread of aquatic invasive species and restore the habitat of native species like the Lahontan cutthroat trout, which holds cultural significance for the Tribe.
- Investing in permanent inspection stations that prevent aquatic invasive species from entering Lake Tahoe.
Senators Cortez Masto and Rosen have been champions for Nevada’s great outdoor spaces and public lands. They passed critical legislation to permanently fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), which protects public lands in Nevada and across the U.S. Cortez Masto introduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation to restore Lake Tahoe, which Rosen supported, and both senators delivered critical funding to protect Lake Tahoe in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Cortez Masto and Rosen also helped pass the historic Great American Outdoors Act, which was signed into law and provides robust funding to preserve and maintain public lands across the country.
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