Lake Tahoe area meadows to be restored by USFS

The U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) would like the public's input on their proposed restoration project at six impaired meadows near South Lake Tahoe. Restoration will include tree thinning and removal, prescribed fire, stream channel repair, planting of vegetation and rerouting trails.

Healthy meadows are essential to the Lake Tahoe watershed. They filter sediment from water flowing into Lake Tahoe and provide important habitat for many plant and animal species. Meadows are often close to recreational facilities, such as trails and campgrounds and are valued for their scenic qualities.

Between 2000 and 2010, the LTBMU evaluated the health of 37 meadows around the Lake Tahoe Basin. Baldwin, Benwood, Freel, Hellhole, Meiss and Star meadows were selected for restoration based on their impaired condition due to past land uses such as grazing, changes in stream channel flow (both natural and manmade), Lodgepole pine encroachment, fire suppression and recurring drought. Project work would restore these impaired meadows and aid in their ability to respond to Climate Change by restoring a natural fire regime and repairing past damage.

Baldwin - 121 acres of meadow to be restored
Benwood - 27 acres of meadow to be restored
Freel - 21 acres of meadow to be restored
Hellhole - 66 acres of meadow to be restored
Meiss - 285 acres of meadow to be restored
Star - 13 acres of meadow to be restored

The Environmental Assessment (EA) analyzed two alternatives for restoring the meadows: No Action as well as this proposed alternative.

Under Alternative 2, trees would be removed from approximately 228 acres and 359 acres would be thinned. Crews would remove trees and complete thinning by hand. Prescribed fire operations would take place on approximately 1226 acres. Roughly three miles of stream channel would be restored and willows planted on approximately 22 acres. Two segments (totaling 2.2 miles) of the Pacific Crest Trail through Meiss Meadow would be rerouted out of the meadow. Meiss Cabin Corral would be rebuilt utilizing Lodgepole pine removed from Meiss Meadow. Reconstructing the corral would allow pack animals visiting the area the opportunity for daytime or overnight stays.

Project work could begin as early as summer 2015.

The public has until February 6 to comment. For more information on the project and how to comment, visit the link above or contact Matt Dickinson at 530-543-2769, or email mattdickinson@fs.fed.us.