Most of this collection consists of printed matter generated by, or relating to, the activities of the TRPA. It is arranged topically and includes: materials that treat the history and structure of the Agency, copies of TRPA ordinances, drafts of a Tahoe Basin General Plan, studies and reports on specific environmental topics, and background materials on other locales used as planning models by the TRPA.

The Lake Tahoe Basin is one of the world's most uniquely beautiful environments. High alpine mountains surround a deep (1,645 feet) blue lake that is both quite large and clear. This environment is so attractive that for fifty years it has been under intense pressure to meet the demands of a mobile, recreation-seeking public. Different portions of the lake lie in various political jurisdictions (five counties, two states, and several special districts) and the need to balance development with environmental protection was addressed for the first time as recently as 1969, when an act of Congress created the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency.

Collection is open for research.