This paper reports on the utilization and advantages of the conservancy model at Lake Tahoe and discusses the programs of the California Tahoe Conservancy. In 1984, the Conservancy was activated by the California Legislature. The conservancy model was adopted because it offered several important advantages. Among these is an orientation toward a broad range of resource protection objectives and a goal of resolving land use conflicts. The Conservancy's acquisition and restoration programs are unique because of their special focus on water quality objectives. The agency is implementing new programs for the transfer of development rights in the Lake Tahoe Basin.