restrictions

The U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) lifted fire restrictions on National Forest System lands on Friday, October 30, 2015.

“While conditions have allowed the Forest Service to lift fire restrictions, wildfires can still occur,” said Fire Management Officer, Kit Bailey. “Visitors to our National Forests need to educate themselves about how to safely build and extinguish a campfire, and should continue to be careful and remember that campfires are only allowed in certain areas.”

El Dorado County Connections - One Stop has free services to help people who need a job.

"We can help anyone who is having trouble finding a job," said Jenny Wilson, Program Supervisor with Connections - One Stop. "We want to help people who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own. This includes dislocated workers, such as people who have been affected by a lay-off or business downsizing. Displaced homemakers and self-employed individuals may also qualify for services."

When Governor Jerry Brown told the residents of the state to cut back their water usage, he had the California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) tell each region how much to cut back. That benchmark in South Lake Tahoe was 20%.

For the past three months, residents have cut much more than that. In May, water use at South Tahoe Public Utility District (STPUD) was down 34%, followed by 24% in June and 27% in July. This is on top of the 27% reduction in water use that the district's customer have accomplished since 2007.

Tahoe Resource Conservation District, in partnership with South Tahoe Public Utility District, is hosting FREE Water Conservation Workshops this summer.

The next one on the schedule is "Understanding and Implementing Micro-irrigation."

It may seem like lyrics from the Five Man Electrical Band: Sign, sign, everywhere a sign; Blockin' out the scenery, breakin' my mind' Do this, don't do that, can't you read the sign?

Everyone wants to enjoy the South Lake Tahoe area on the 4th of July holiday weekend. In order to keep everyone safe there are rules and regulations in place to do so.

1. Portable Charcoal Grills Prohibited on All Forest Service Beaches. You can use the limited number of Forest Service provided grills.
2. Campfires are not permitted on National Forest beaches or in the general forest.

Fire restrictions on National Forest System lands in the Lake Tahoe Basin begin on Wednesday, July 1, 2015, and will remain in effect until the official end of fire season.

Twice in the last week, people flying drones disrupted wildfire operations in Southern California, causing federal, state and local wildfire managers to come out with a warning to the public, "Do not fly unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) within or near wildfires."

Fire pits. The outdoor means to a perfect s'more and good conversation around a fire on a cool summer evening. But, in the midst of a drought are they safe? Are they legal when fire restrictions are in place?

There are three fire district jurisdictions just in South Lake Tahoe, along with the U.S. Forest Service, and they all have different rules concerning the backyard fire pit. One thing they all do share is for residents and visitors to be smart about fire and to not be careless.

As the severe drought in California continues, the following water restrictions and provisions of the South Tahoe Public Utility District Water Conservation Program and the California State Water Resources Control Board Emergency Water Conservation Regulation are mandatory to conserve water resources. Failure to comply may result in a fine.

RESTRICTIONS
• Outdoor irrigation may only occur between the hours of 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. and is limited to 20 minutes per zone per day, on your designated watering days. Drip or micro irrigation is exempt from this requirement;

In response to noise, trash and occupancy complaints, the City of South Lake Tahoe has adopted a new Vacation Home Rental Ordinance. The vote was 4-0 in favor since Councilman Tom Davis had to recuse himself since he is part owner of Tahoe Keys Resort.

Vail Resorts announced today that the 2015-16 Tahoe local's pass will open up access to nine resorts.

California State Parks introduced their 2015 lineup of season passes this week and included this year are a Tahoe Regional pass and the return of the popular "Golden Poppy" pass.

The new Tahoe Regional Vehicle Day Use Annual Pass will cost $75.00 per year and gets you admission to our Lake Tahoe favorites, D.L. Bliss State Park, Ed Z’Berg Sugar Pine Point State Park, Emerald Bay State Park, Kings Beach State Recreation Area and Donner Memorial State Park.

Laurence:

This fall, while under your supervision, approximately 16% of the Eldorado National Forest burned due to the King Fire. You are entrusted to protect and maintain the health of this critical forest/watershed. Given the extreme drought and high fire risk conditions we experienced this summer, what fire restrictions, ranger alerts, precautionary measures, were in place the week of Sept 07, 2014? Arson yes, but could we have been more alert?

9/29/14 8 p.m. update - The King Fire is now 92% contained and has remained at 97.099 acres burned. More personnel has been released and there are now 3,401 remaining on the fire.

Mop up and patrol continued. Continued the demobilization of excess resources. Continued to backhaul excess equipment and trash. Fire suppression repair is ongoing. Homes and damaged buildings on White Meadows Road are being evaluated for future damage from possible mud and debris flows caused by the last two days of rain. Some homes and buildings are being prepared with sand bags by crews.

The seven candidates for South Lake Tahoe City Council were at Wednesday nights Candidate Forum at Lake Tahoe Golf Course. The Tahoe Chamber and Tahoe Daily Tribune hosted the evening which had Rabbi Evon Yakar moderating the questions and answers.

About 100 people showed up to listen to panel who were given questions prepared by the chamber's new political committee as well as those asked by the audience. The questions were asked of different candidates so not everyone was asked the same one.

One of the largest fires in California history, as well as being one of the costliest, was started by an illegal campfire started by a bow hunter according to a federal grand jury indictment returned Thursday.

Local residents who are disabled and looking for work have free resources at the South Lake Tahoe office of Connections-One Stop. Special funding for school tuition, paid work experience, job training and other services ends August 30, 2014.

"The El Dorado County Connections - One Stop program can help disabled individuals search for a good job, develop a quality resume, enhance job interview skills and more," said Jenny Wilson, Program Supervisor for Connections - One Stop.

Services through Connections - One Stop include:

Fire restrictions have gone into effect in the Lake Tahoe Basin. Campfires and charcoal barbecues will be restricted to designated recreation sites, and other fire-related activities will be prohibited until the end of fire season. “With record drought conditions in the West, agencies in both California and Nevada are anticipating increased fire activity,” said Fire Management Officer, Kit Bailey. “Fire restrictions help reduce the possibility of accidental human caused fires.”

On National Forest System land fire restrictions mean:

The recent standoff at the last remaining ranch in Clark County, NV has been widely attributed to environmental protection around the endangered desert tortoise; with the right wing trying to pin the blame on Nevada Senator Harry Reid for his support of the recent Ivanpah solar plant which, generates 392 MW which powers Google servers (See Dana Loesch Radio for an example of the kind of coverage it gets http://danaloeschradio.com/the-real-story-of-the-bundy-ranch/ and http://mediamatters.org/blog/2014/04/11/the-nevada-tortoise-war-is-a-right-wing-false-f/198860 for a Media Matters article deb

Heavenly Mountain Resort, Northstar California and Kirkwood Mountain Resort, opened up sales for their 2014-15 season passes.

Starting at $409 with as little as $49 down and the balance due in the fall, skiers and riders have until April 13 to secure the best available price for winter 2014-15 season passes and six buddy tickets.

With ski resorts busy preparing for the winter season ahead, now is the time to start planning your time on the slopes! "Plates for Powder" is the successful promotion run by the Tahoe Fund to increase sales of the Lake Tahoe license plates.

Individuals who purchase the specialty Lake Tahoe license plate in either Nevada or California prior to April 1, 2014 will receive two lift tickets to their choice of 11 Lake Tahoe resorts.

The U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit has approved a project to improve the recreational experience in the Fallen Leaf Lake area, while protecting the natural, cultural, and historic resources of the area.

Here is this week's fishing report for rivers, lakes and streams in the Sierra, Northern California and Nevada. This report is for the week of Aug. 28 through Labor Day. Don't forget, California's second free day of fishing without a license will be Saturday, Sept. 7.

The second Free Fishing Day in 2013 in California will be Saturday, Sept. 7. The first was way back on Saturday, July 6.

On Sept. 7 you will be able to fish wherever you like without the need for a fishing license. However remember that you will need to abide by the rules and regulations that govern whatever water(s) you will be fishing.

Be sure to obey those rules and regulations, and don’t do something illegal. If you do, and if you get caught, it could be a very expensive experience.