Proposed plans for SR-28 corridor from Sand Harbor to Spooner Summit released

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - New plans have been released on the State Route 28 corridor from Sand Harbor to Spooner Summit on the east shore of Lake Tahoe. After the success of the East Shore Trail from Incline Village to Sand Harbor, the plan is to continue the shared-use trail with other improvements to highway safety and infrastructure; summer recreational access; water, air and scenic quality; and increase non-motorized access to the corridor.

The USFS Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) has issued a draft decision for the proposed improvements to this area.

Project-specific improvements would include construction of a new shared-use pathway; connection of pedestrian trails in six locations; addition of parking spaces at four sites; construction of emergency pull-outs and vista points along the highway; installation of storm water capture and infiltration features; installation of a new effluent pipeline and fiber optic cable; and construction of a new aquatic invasive species (AIS) inspection station.

The LTBMU draft decision incorporates Alternative 2 of the Proposed Action and is subject to the pre-decisional objection process (36 CFR 218.5). Objections will only be accepted from those who submitted project-specific written comments during the designated comment period. Objections must be submitted within 45 days of when the legal notice was published on Jan. 24, 2020.

“The Highway 28 improvement project represents the culmination of an extensive multi-agency planning effort aimed at improving public safety, recreational sustainability and community enjoyment along the East Shore,” said LTBMU Forest Supervisor, Jeff Marsolais. “We are excited to build on the momentum of the new East Shore trail with this next important connection.”

The corridor is along eleven miles of undeveloped shoreline, the longest stretch at Lake Tahoe, parallels Nevada State Route (SR) 28 south of Lakeshore Drive in Incline Village. This two-lane, mountainside road is the only access route for over one million recreating visitors and 2.6 million-plus vehicles per year.

Summer parking has long been a problem with 1,175 vehicles wanting to use the 582 spaces. The number of vehicles parked along the shoulder has grown every year –
almost 170 percent between 2000 and 2011 – and is projected to double by 2038.

The project proposal was developed, designed and will be implemented in coordination with partners that include California and Nevada state parks, Nevada Department of Transportation, Nevada Department of Wildlife, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and the Tahoe Transportation District.

The draft Decision Notice/Finding of No Significant Impact is available on the LTBMU projects webpage at https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=52969. Documents can be found under the “Project Documents” heading. To submit an objection, find the “Get Connected” heading on the right-side of the webpage, then select the “Comment/Object on Project” link. You must have commented during the designated comment period to submit an objection. Objections must be submitted or posted by 11:59 p.m. on March 9, 2020 (PDT).

For more information on the project, contact Mike Gabor at 530-543-2642.