Lake Tahoe's majestic beauty, close proximity to urban areas, and the opportunities the basin offers for hiking, skiing, camping, boating and a host of other recreational activities draw millions of visitors to the area every year.

In spite of this demand, public access and recreation opportunities are limited in many areas around the lake. Private development, most of which occurred in the years before the need to reserve areas for public access was recognized, has left only a third of the shoreline and scarcely half the suitable beach sites in public ownership.

At the same time, other sites go virtually unused because access is difficult or there is a lack of facilities such as parking and public restrooms. Signing and other means of calling visitors' attention to the area may also be inadequate.

Another problem is that few facilities are connected by trails, making it more difficult to move from one to another. Limited public access and the shortage of recreational facilities also cause increased traffic congestion as more and more people use their cars to search for a place to get to the lakeshore, or to travel from one site to another.

To help meet this need for greater public access and more recreational opportunities, while recognizing the paramount necessity to protect and enhance the natural resources of the basin, the Conservancy has established a public access and recreation program.

The program's objectives are to provide new access to the lake and other natural areas in the basin; to expand access opportunities by providing parking and restroom facilities and other improvements at existing sites; to connect existing facilities with hiking, biking and cross-country ski trails; and to provide visitor information services.

Since 1985, the Conservancy has authorized the expenditure of $22.9 million to carry out 35 public access and recreation projects in the Tahoe Basin -- some funded directly, and some through grants to other agencies. More than 355 acres of land has been acquired for recreation and public access purposes, including a mile and a quarter of lake or beach frontage -- a priority because opportunities to increase access to the lake are so rare.

Parking areas with a total of more than 250 parking spaces have been constructed or improved. Trailheads have been constructed or improved at several locations, including access to the newly constructed Tahoe Rim Trail. In addition, the program is resulting in the construction or enhancement of some 29 miles of hiking, biking and cross-country ski trails through funding of the acquisition of rights-of-way, construction, or both. Planning is also underway for interpretive centers at two important gateways to the basin.