Trail Network Improvement Grants

The California Tahoe Conservancy is awarding two grants totaling $230,000 to the Tahoe Area Mountain Biking Association and the Tahoe Rim Trail Association to enhance up to 40 miles of existing trails within the Lake Tahoe Basin during the 2026 and 2027 summer seasons. The work will be performed on USDA Forest Service land under a Volunteer Service Agreement with the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit and will focus on sustainable trail improvements such as constructing erosion control features like rock walls and armored drainages, clearing overgrowth in wildfire-affected areas, widening trails, improving tread quality, and enhancing wayfinding signage to reduce user-created trails and protect the surrounding environment. The grants are structured as non-competitive awards to pre-selected nonprofit organizations, with no formal solicitation, competitive evaluation, or detailed line-item pricing provided. The project qualifies for categorical exemptions under California environmental regulations for existing facilities and minor alterations, and no federal acquisition regulations apply due to the grant nature of the funding. Performance will occur primarily around South Lake Tahoe in El Dorado and Placer Counties, with the California Tahoe Conservancy serving as the funding and overseeing agency. No formal contract clauses, inspection criteria, payment office details, or delivery specifications are outlined, as the arrangement is governed by grant conditions rather than procurement rules. The sole point of contact for the program is Kristin Anderson, Recreation and Public Access Planner, and the project was approved by the Conservancy’s board in September 2025 with the notice of exemption attached as part of the environmental compliance documentation.