Massive numbers of July 4th partiers at Zephyr Shoals, leaving trash and waste behind

ZEPHYR COVE, Nev. - A massive number of young adults filled the beach at the site of the old Dreyfus Estate just north of the Zephyr Cove Resort on July 4, leaving behind massive amounts of trash and the beginning of plans on what to do before the situation gets out of hand. Without any restrooms at the site, one can imagine what else was left at what has become an uncontrolled party spot for hundreds of people, most in the 21-25-year-old range.

The 3/4 mile stretch of scenic beach known as Zephyr Shoals has become more and more popular with the younger population as the Zephyr Cove Resort charges for parking and other beach access during very busy holidays. They also sell alcohol on the beach at the resort so there is security and rules in place to keep a handle on the situation.

The beach and surrounding land are owned by the United States Forest Service and are under the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU).

Over at the Dreyfus Estate beach, no controls are leading to overcrowding, drinking (and some underage drinking), environmental concerns with no restroom facilities, no set garbage collection (though some cans were set out along with a distribution of garbage bags), and a sea of people that is becoming dangerous.

"My concern is as it gets bigger, that if we don't change our presence there it will get out of hand," said Douglas County Sheriff Dan Coverley.

"We need to do something or it's going get worse and worse," the Sheriff added.

"We’re continuing to adapt to changing use pressures at the Zephyr Shoals area and will be reviewing our planning and implementation of management over the holiday weekend," said USFS LTBMU Staff Officer Daniel Cressy. "With low lake levels exposing more beach area the July 4 holiday attracted heavy use."

Cressy said their law enforcement officers acted to prevent excessively large sound systems which could violate noise regulations, and with DCSO had substantial site presence to monitor and respond if necessary to potential fights or other acts of violence.

"LTBMU had portable toilets scheduled for delivery July 1 but was informed on Friday that the company couldn’t deliver until after the holiday weekend," said Cressy.

Zephyr Cove has always been a popular beach area, especially for those in their 20s. With parking fees imposed, some of them found Zephyr Shoals as a cheaper substitute. Beach goers can walk in for free, and take in their own alcohol.

Coverley said his deputies have seen fewer people going into the resort with more going to the uncontrolled section.

"They are socked in there, as tight as they can get," said Coverley. He said there are four main issues with the current situation: alcohol, no restrooms, no regular garbage collection, and it is becoming a free-for-all.

On July 4 there was one arrest/detention for fighting and one reported sexual assault.

"Things are progressing, and with that, comes more and more problems," said Coverley. "This is growing faster than USFS is able to react to. Rather than wait, we'll continue to work with them."

He said incidents will drop as they have more of a presence at the beach.

"They need to develop or bring in temporary facilities, including garbage cans and outhouses," said Coverley.

Cressy said long-term solutions to increase the level of site management in this area are currently being developed, and more information should be available later this summer.

Most of the beach goers were respectful and non-confrontational over the holiday according to the Sheriff. Some tried to clean up but the volume was overwhelming.

"We want people to have fun, but don't want anyone to be hurt, drown, victims to violence," said Coverley. "The environmental concerns are also an issue. The beach itself is a mess, and using the forest as a restroom is not an option."

A large group that has started to join in the partiers are from Ireland. Hundreds come as part of their J-1 work experience and come to Tahoe before heading to jobs. Coverley said the vast majority of those at the beach are not from Northern Nevada or Lake Tahoe.

"I anticipate having increased FS staff next year to help manage site impacts over the holiday," added Cressy.

Round Hill Pines and Nevada Beach don't have the same issues, and Douglas County has an ordinance banning alcohol on beaches. Coverley said they could expand that program to Dreyfus if the Forest Service gives them the green light. DCSO can enforce state and county laws on forest land, but not federal laws.

Keep Tahoe Blue (League to Save Lake Tahoe) held beach cleanups around the lake on July 5. Most beaches were found in great shape and with smaller amounts of litter. One of its Blue Crews arrived at Zephyr Shoals to find the beach blanketed in trash. Zephyr Cove Resort and LTBMU staff also helped. In total, a team of eight volunteers gathered over 2,700 pounds of cans, shoes, towels, beach chairs, and other assorted waste in a herculean effort.

The late Jack Dreyfus, a financial tycoon from New York, purchased the 81-acre property from the George Whittell, Jr. estate (he also bought the Thunderbird Lodge at the same time). The Olympic Group LLC purchased the estate from Dreyfus in 1995 for $28 million. The land at the Dreyfus Estate was acquired by the Olympic Group LLC from the Bureau of Land Management through two exchanges in 1996 and 1997 for $38 million. They then received land in Las Vegas in the exchange, the USFS getting the land around the estate, Park Cattle Co. buying the estate which had, at the time, a nine-bedroom mansion, a caretaker’s cottage, and a six-car garage. They wanted to put a commercial business in there but couldn't get a special use permit for a private venture from the Forest Service to do so (USFS owned the 47 acres of land that the house sat on). In 2001, Park Cattle sold the mansion to the Forest Service and donated its $505,000 proceeds to the Boys and Girls Club of Lake Tahoe. The Forest Service asked for ideas for buildings, but it was decided the best use was to remove them and restore the site to natural conditions.