Public gives input on proposed changes to USFS snowmobile/winter travel plan

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - When the USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) revised their Forest Plan over 10 years ago, many wanted them to include changes to snowmobile and other winter travel access to public lands at the same time. With the amount of public comment and the recognized need to have its own plan, they separated the two.

In 2011, LTBMU started a collaborative group to develop a proposed action plan for Winter Recreation and Over Snow Vehicle (OSV) use in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

In the fall of 2016, the LTBMU began the process of analyzing areas and trails open to OSV use in the Tahoe Basin under Forest Service Travel Management guidelines. Under this proposal, the LTBMU would direct project-specific management activities that include designating routes and areas open to OSV use; designating areas suitable for groomed OSV trails; allowing areas for grooming for non-motorized use only; designating locations suitable for snow play; identifying areas suitable for snow plowing; constructing additional winter parking; and identifying changes to opening/closing dates and seasonal designation of motorized roads. The project also proposes to amend the LTBMU Forest Plan to reflect the designation of OSV areas and trails.

Though the collaborative proposal was not fully developed at that time, some issues were identified through those efforts that helped to develop this proposed action.

“If ever there was a time for the collaboration to restart, it’s now,” said LTBMU Forest Supervisor, Jeff Marsolais. “I’m optimistic that we can work together to advance a plan that works for everyone.”

Public meetings held on both the north and south shores this week to discuss this proposal, gathering more public input that will be used as the Forest Service refines their proposed action and prepares alternatives in their Environmental Assessment (EA) stage.

About 100 people attended the North Shore meeting Wednesday and another 45 were at the South Shore meeting Thursday. Many questions were asked of staff at the stations set up in the rooms and written comments were collected.

Those unable to attend are still able to provide comment. Public comment was originally slated to end on November 19 but, with the holiday season upon us and the importance of public comment and understanding of the project, LTBMU extended the comment period through December 9.

LTBMU staff will then look at all comments as they prepare the EA with alternative plans for the public to review again during that phase's 30-day comment period.

Several members of the public have raised a concern about some of the proposed changes to current winter access and it comes to areas they are currently using.

The changes to areas that were previously closed and are now proposed to be open to OSV use - 2,603 acres

Areas that were previously open and are now proposed to be not open to OSV use - 5,330 acres

Areas that were previously open and are now proposed to be open to OSV use on odd-numbered days of the month only - 2,498 acres

Areas now proposed to allow OSV:

Hartoonian Trails (also known as Golden Bear). This will border the Golden Bear Neighborhood to the read of the Caltrans Snow Storage at the end of Sierra Blvd.
Junction of SR 28 and US 50
East of Fallen Leaf Lake
Area between Third Creek and SR 431 in Incline Village
Hell Hole Area - Generally, prohibited but there would be an open area on the northeast edge to facilitate through-traffic that follows the 1201 road until the road intersects the trail that crosses Trout Creek. After the Trout Creek crossing,
there is a ¼ mile open corridor following Trout Creek until the LTBMU border.
Area east of SR431 and north of Diamond Peak Ski Area in Incline Village - Open to OSV use on odd-numbered days of the month only
Pacific Coast Trail - Crossing of the PCT is only allowed at the designated
crossing at Barker Pass

Many have expressed displeasure at the elimination of the rest of Hell Hole. Forest officials at the public meeting on Thursday said that area is home to the threatened/endangered yellow-legged frog. Also restricting access in winter are all developed recreation sites, the area between Mt. Rose Wilderness and Incline Village, and the area near the Granite Chief Wilderness and within 500 feet of the
Pacific Crest Trail.

Besides native habitats as being a reason to restrict motorized vehicle access are possible resource impacts, conflicts among users, sound, unintentional trespass, and vehicle emissions. There is also a growing number of people accessing the wilderness without vehicles, thus creating a need to accommodate all users.

With a change to access in the forest and a need for more parking, expanded parking proposals have been developed for Spring Creek Road near SR89 and Fountain Place. A new play area at Sawmill Pond is also part of the proposed plan. Any other needs for the parking of trailers will have to be on public streets. TRPA requires areas that will be paved for parking to be on pavement, not dirt.

To review the project with all maps, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=47342. On the upper right side of that page, there is a way to comment under the "Get Connected" column. The deadline to comment is December 9, 2019.