Forest Service Looking for Comments on Plan to Keep Bears Out of Campground Trash

There is a proposed "Forest Order" that would require proper storage of food and refuse at developed National Forest System recreation sites in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

Bears are attracted to anything edible or scented. Improper storage of human food sources and refuse is a leading cause of human-bear conflict. Without a Forest Order in place, Forest Service law enforcement are unable to require visitors to employ proper food and refuse storage practices. The proposed Forest Order would require use of bear-resistant dumpsters and food lockers designed to prevent access by wildlife.

Bears that obtain human food can become dependent on that food source and more aggressive in their attempts to obtain human food. Based on similar requirements that have been in effect for decades on several other

Sierra Nevada National Forest units as well as at popular national parks, the mandatory use of bear-resistant food and refuse containers has been demonstrated as an effective means of preventing bears and other wildlife from obtaining human food and refuse.

Implementation would begin at Fallen Leaf Campground and Meeks Bay Resort due to the high number of human-bear conflicts at these sites. Implementation at additional locations would be prioritized based on the frequency and nature of human-bear conflicts. Requiring proper food and refuse storage is expected to reduce human-bear conflict by reducing the number of bears that become dependent on human food sources.

Comments on the proposed plan will be accepted until May 30, 2014.

For more information on the proposal and how to comment, contact Megan Mullowney at 530-543-2651, or email mcmullowney@fs.fed.us.