Opinion: Education is key to Lake Tahoe's Bear-Trash problem

As people move into bear country the bears learn that people has tasty food, even if its not exactly what they should be eating. They also learn that people leave this tasty food out where they can easily find it, in trash cans in front of homes and in big dumpsters at restaurants, motels and timeshares.

South Tahoe Refuse came up with a very good solution for many of the problems, they moved their trash pick up times for residential customers. Since March, 2014 they have started two hours later, so instead of starting their day at 5 a.m. they now don't roll out of the refuse company until 7 a.m.

There is really no reason that people need to leave trash cans out on the curb the night before, yet if you drive down any street after dark the night before trash is picked up, you'll see can after can, full of garbage. By morning, these cans are tipped over, their contents spread about by not only bears, but coyotes, raccoons, dogs and crows.

The crew at South Tahoe Refuse picks up the results of animals spilling over trash cans at 20-30 residences a day.

At last week's South Lake City Council meeting, Councilwoman JoAnne Connor, a member of the South Lake Tahoe Joint Power Authority (SLTJPA) spoke about a proposed ordinance the members are discussing. El Dorado County, South Lake Tahoe and Douglas County at the lake are all part of the JPA so the same rules would be enforced in all three jurisdictions.

Conner wanted direction from the council on how they wanted a proposed bear box ordinance to be handled. The JPA meets again in September, 2015 and they will discuss the commercial and residential rules on trash, and how some customers may have to purchase a bear box.

There should be no reason that it should get to an ordinance, if only people would understand the consequences of their mishandling of trash. Education and responsible actions would take away the 20-30 incidents a day where animals get into trash. An ordinance will be necessary if responsible trash handling is not followed.

Put trash cans out right before South Tahoe Refuse (STR) comes by, not the night before. The main issue is trash left out at night and many of the offenders are repeat offenders. Landlords need to inform their renters of the rules as they aren't the ones getting the bill, announcements and other important information.

The city and other members of the JPA don't want to punish the people that comply and have no problems, so the proposed ordinance will have penalties for those that have trash issues but will not require residents to have expensive bear boxes installed.

Currently, when STR comes by and finds a trash mess, the employees take a photo and send it back to the office immediately and it goes into the homeowner's file. Under the ordinance they would get a letter in the mail notifying them of the rules and consequences.

The second offense will get another letter plus a fine (up to $200 but undetermined at this time). If they install a bear box or use bear proof trash cans the fine would be waived.

Subsequent offenses are proposed to be $200 each time.

John Marchini of South Tahoe Refuse, and a consultant for the SLTJPA, said they would look into getting bear trash cans at a reduced cost from a local vendor and offer them to customers.

Businesses have proposed new rules as well.

All trash would need to be kept in commercial dumpsters with metal bear resistant lids with locking bars, or with combination locks. Dumpsters will need to be locked by dusk or at the close of business, whichever comes last, and unlocked by sunrise or 5 a.m. on trash pick up days. Lids will need to be closed all day unless trash is being added. Multi-family buildings will need to follow the same rules.

Business owners and residents of South Lake Tahoe should know what causes animals in their trash, and what they can do to rectify this problem before a new ordinance is enforced.

People need to work together to ensure bears (and other wildlife) don't learn where to find an easy meal.

It's simple really, and it will not only keep animals out of trash, following the rules will also save their lives.

Once a bear becomes conditioned to human food it's too late to help. A so-called "problem bear" can't be fixed; it must be prevented.