Seasonal dog ban at Upper Truckee Marsh planned for late spring

For the second straight year the Tahoe Conservancy will enforce a seasonal dog prohibition at the Upper Truckee Marsh at south shore Lake Tahoe. The dog ban is meant to protect sensitive wildlife areas, including threatened and endangered species, during breeding season. The Upper Truckee Marsh provides critical breeding habitat. The dog ban begins May 1. The property is located in South Lake Tahoe and bounded by the Conservancy's Cove East to the west, the Al Tahoe subdivision to the east, the Highland Woods subdivision to the south and Lake Tahoe to the north.

The seasonal dog prohibition will be enforced by the El Dorado County Sheriff and compliance will be monitored by Conservancy staff. Beginning Aug. 1, dogs will be permitted access to the Upper Truckee Marsh property, provided they are on leash. The Conservancy-owned Cove East property, west of the river, remains open for year-round, leashed dog access. El Dorado County Sheriff patrols were suspended during the winter months — but will resume beginning in March, with an emphasis on leash law enforcement and reminding Marsh users of the impending closure.

In 2001, the Tahoe Conservancy purchased the Upper Truckee Marsh as part of a comprehensive strategy to restore and enhance the largest wetland habitat in the Tahoe Basin. The Conservancy manages the Upper Truckee Marsh property to promote the following objectives:

Preserve the qualities of this unique alpine marsh; Preserve, restore, and enhance natural resources, critical habitat, and biological processes; and Enhance outdoor recreation opportunities, consistent with natural resource protection.

The California Tahoe Conservancy’s mission is to restore and enhance the extraordinary natural and recreational resources of the Tahoe Basin.

Here is a FAQ provided by the Conservancy

What is the closure period?
The Upper Truckee Marsh will be closed to dogs from May 1, 2012 through July 31, 2012.

What is the purpose of the closure?
The Conservancy purchased the property in order to preserve the qualities of the unique alpine marsh, and preserve, restore and enhance the natural resources, critical habitat and biological processes within this area.
The Conservancy manages this property for the protection and enhancement of wildlife habitat. To protect and preserve this habitat, the Conservancy’s objective is to manage to a non-degradation standard.

Compliance with the leash law to date has not been sufficient to maintain a non degradation standard. Further, it has been established that off leash dogs do not always stay on the beach or trail, but rather run free in sensitive areas and flush out or otherwise endanger wildlife.
In July 2010, after nearly a decade of monitoring showing that compliance with leash laws has not been sufficient to meet management objectives, the Conservancy Board authorized the closure.

Will the closure be ongoing?
The closure is currently seasonal, May 1 – July 31, encompassing the most critical breeding season. The Board may consider alternative management strategies in the future.

As public land, shouldn’t this be available for public use?
Yes, this is public land; the Conservancy, however, manages this particular property for wildlife habitat enhancement, and use of the property must be consistent with this objective. Of nearly 5,000 Conservancy owned properties, this is the only one currently subject to this type of closure.

Under what authority is the closure being put into effect?
The Conservancy’s enabling legislation authorizes the agency to manage lands under its
ownership. The Conservancy Board approved Resolution 10-07-06 in July 2010 implementing the
seasonal closure. The closure will be enforced under South Lake Tahoe City Code Chapter 18A-11, J.

Who will be enforcing the closure?
Both the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office and El Dorado County Animal Control will provide enforcement of South Lake Tahoe City Code Chapter 18A-11, J. Conservancy staff will monitor for compliance and alert law enforcement as necessary.

Is Cove East closed to dogs?
Cove East remains open to year-round leashed access.

Where can I take my dog off leash/to the water?
Bijou Dog Park
Regan Beach Dog Area
Kiva Beach
General Forest

Is the Seasonal Closure related to future restoration?
The closure is being put into effect under the Conservancy’s current management responsibilities, and is not dependent upon the proposed restoration project.