Renowned for its crystal clear deep cobalt blue waters, Lake Tahoe has long been regarded as the crown jewel of the Sierra Nevada. Despite its beauty, the lake's famous clarity has declined significantly over the past 30 years as delicately linked strands of an efficient ecosystem have been torn apart by human activities. THE FATE OF THE JEWEL documents the federal, state and grassroots efforts to stop and reverse Lake Tahoe's declining condition. This program highlights the efforts being made to ensure of the long-term health of Lake Tahoe: new ideas for traffic management, controlling development and mapping the lake to learn more about its problems. In addition, policy changes from the U.S. Forest Service such as introducing controlled burns, and implementing erosion control and stream restoration projects, are aiding in the lake's recovery.