In 1980, Congress found that increasing urbanization was threatening the ecological values of the Lake Tahoe Basin and public opportunities for use of public lands. Additionally, maintenance of the social and economic health of the region depended on maintaining the scenic, recreational, educational, scientific, natural, and public health values provided by the Lake Tahoe basin. Acquisition and protection of urban intermix parcels contributes to maintaining these values, and thus has created benefits to the communities in which they are located.

Urban intermix parcels provide open space areas of natural forest vegetation within developed communities. These forest areas reduce and filter the noise associated with everyday human activities, providing quieter, more enjoyable living conditions and recreational experiences. Additionally, urban intermix parcels reduce the scenic and visual impacts of urbanization by providing forested areas that help screen and blend development into the natural surroundings. Neighborhoods with publicly owned urban intermix parcels are more desirable to live in, and often have a corresponding positive impact on property values.

Source: fs.fed.us