Restoration work from fuel spill at Zephyr Cove Resort resumes on Monday

Zephyr Cove Resort will remain open for business as soil impacted by a 2011 underground fuel release is removed from an area near the south beach volleyball courts starting Monday, September 12.

Even though those driving by and visiting the resort will see the activity, impact to operations is expected to be minimal. There may be some disruption to parking and the volleyball area but watercraft rentals and sightseeing boats will continue to operate during the excavation.

The U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit is working with permit-holder ARAMARK Parks and Destinations to clean up the area. It should take until late October to finish the remediation.

Approximately 15 trees have already been removed from a half-acre of the affected area and approximately 2,500 tons of contaminated soil will be removed starting Monday. The area will be fenced off on the south side of the parking lot.

Clean soil will be brought in to fill the excavation and trees of the same species that were earlier removed will be planted.

The Forest Service and ARAMARK coordinated closely with the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection and the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and a decision was made to proceed with the excavation in order to take advantage of the low groundwater table at this time of year. An inclement weather plan is in place to guide the installation of water quality best management practices in the event that work must stop due to rain or snow.