SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – It is clear that the only thing that keeps generations of bears safe is the immediate actions by humans. This cannot be said enough, and Tuesday’s South Lake Tahoe City Council meeting showed that, while everyone is in favor of bears, how the City goes about it is not as cut-and-dry.

It was a unanimous decision on next steps, but it took just under two hours to listen to public comment, staff reports, and to vote on the seven steps brought forward on the agenda:

(1) They contemplated increasing fines for violations related to trash management and providing wildlife access to food. Yes, and this item will come back in the future with fine amounts to be determined.

(2) Designating the City as a Bear Sanctuary City or Bear Wise Community. Council directed staff to come back with the criteria and what it would mean to become either of those.

(3) Establishment and funding of a City Bear Liaison position. No new city position will be created, but they are open to a grant-funded position, using current city staff, or working with someone on a contract basis to accomplish what is needed.

(4) Formal written correspondence from the City Council to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and the Bear League requesting specific actions. This letter will ask CDFW to continue with its Trap, Tag, Haze program, and ask for consideration of habituated bears to be relocated and not euthanized. It will ask the Bear League to collaborate and not interfere with CDFW actions or its equipment in data collection, processes, including hazing, tagging, and trapping. They will also be asked to provide data they have on local bears to the City.

(5) Amending the Vacation Home Rental Ordinance to explicitly require property owners/managers to provide Bear Aware education materials to renters. This will not happen at this time as no councilmember wanted to bring back the VHR ordinance, but staff will reach out to property managers to have them provide the information to renters.

(6) Provide pilot program funding to partner with South Tahoe Refuse to provide container cleaning service. This was a “no” due to the cost of cleaning. If the public used the blue recycle cans as they are meant to be, attractants would not be in them. Put only clean recyclables inside the blue cans.

 (7) Continuation of City facilitation of discussions between CDFW, Bear League and community partners regarding management of habituated bears. Yes, this will continue.

The key for a safe community for both humans and bears is removing the attractants from homes, properties and businesses. If the bears don’t find their food in town, they will move back into the forests.

This is the time of year to make sure the space under homes and decks are secure. The bears that spend the winter underneath these areas, or find refuge in the spaces the rest of the year, become accustomed to human noises, televisions, stereos, vehicles, etc. Many are born in a human environment.

It is up to the human component of this equation to be better at:

  • Securing all trash
  • Only putting clean containers in recyclable cans
  • Lock cars and homes, and don’t make entry easy. Think if everyone left their car doors unlocked “just once,” that would mean thousands of an open door policy for bears, and keeping them comfortable in the neighborhood.
  • Remove bird feeders and fruit trees
  • Clean barbecue grills after every use
  • Apartments must have locked trash containers
  • No trash is placed on top of dumpsters
  • A fed bear is a dead bear – Feeding them, intentionally or accidentally, makes them lose their fear of humans and often results in them having to be destroyed.

It is up to humans to prevent a habituated bear that has been determined to be a “problem” bear. An agency or government cannot regulate the bear rules unless those who can adjust their behaviors are willing to.

The City of South Lake Tahoe, the Chief of Police and others will continue to work with data and bear professionals to educate the public and create a safe place. A action item will come back at a future council meeting that will contain the letter to CDFW and the Bear League for approval and answers to the questions about Bear Wise and sanctuary requirements.