Taylor and Tallac Creek Marsh invasive species removal preparations underway

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Many have noticed the new fencing that went up last week around the Taylor Creek and Tallac Creek marsh in South Lake Tahoe. These fences along the beach and marsh were installed around a project area where crews are working to remove aquatic invasive plants.

Last fall crews began the vegetation removal from the marsh in preparation for the laying of bottom barriers this spring. The fencing is intended to protect the large tarps that are being staked to the marsh bottom as part of a project to remove Eurasian watermilfoil from the marsh ecosystem.

The tarps are meant to starve aquatic invasive weeds of sunlight and are commonly used in the Tahoe Basin to control infestations. Left unchecked, aquatic invasive plants can have devastating effects on Tahoe’s ecosystem and recreational resources.

The Taylor and Tallac creeks watershed have been damaged by historical grazing, recreation infrastructure, construction, and erosion. The degraded condition has promoted the introduction of aquatic invasive weeds that threaten native species and alter the marshes’ natural ecosystem

TRPA said they are working with its partner, the USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU), to implement the aquatic invasive species removal project as part of a larger, comprehensive restoration of the marsh.

TRPA and the LTBMU ask recreators to respect the fencing and avoid the protected area for safety and to help ensure the project is successful.