Forest Service to host public tour for Meeks Bay Restoration Project

The U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) will host a public tour to announce the proposed action and public comment period for the Meeks Bay Restoration Project on Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2018. The public tour will take place from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. at Meeks Bay Resort, 7941 Emerald Bay Road (Highway 89), Meeks Bay, CA 96142. The 45-day comment period begins with the publication of the Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement in the Federal Register on Tuesday, Sep. 11, 2018. Comments are most helpful if received by Friday, Oct. 26, 2018.

“We recognize how special this place is,” said Jeff Marsolais, LTBMU Forest Supervisor. “I am hoping to hear from the stakeholders who have an interest in this project.”

Tour participants should meet at the Main Lodge at Meeks Bay Resort and be prepared to travel through the site on foot to view the proposed project highlights. Sturdy footwear and sun protection are recommended. For requests for reasonable accommodation access to the facility or proceedings, contact Adrian Escobedo at 530-543-2758 or email aescobedo02@fs.fed.us.

The proposed project area encompasses approximately 68 acres and includes Meeks Creek, Meeks Marina, Meeks Bay Resort and Meeks Bay Campground.

Over the years, the existing wetland/lagoon, stream channel, native species habitat and marina infrastructure has deteriorated allowing for increased sediment flow into Lake Tahoe and the spread of aquatic invasive species. Proposed improvements would address these concerns by restoring Meeks Creek to its natural condition, which would reduce sediment flow and provide an improved ecosystem for native species and vegetation.

Proposed project activities would include restoring Meeks Creek from Highway 89 to Lake Tahoe; removing the existing marina infrastructure in order to restore Meeks Lagoon; constructing a pier, boat launch and day-use parking area; installing new pedestrian paths, modernized utility infrastructure, interpretation opportunities and best management practices (BMPs); implementing resource protection barriers and shoreline stabilization measures; reconstructing Meeks Bay Campground, boat trailer parking and circulation routes; and removing aquatic invasive species.

The proposed action is available for public review at http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/ltbmu/meeksbayrestoration.

For more information on this project and how to comment, contact Denise Downie at 530-543-2683 or email dedownie@fs.fed.us. Please note, this email address is for project information only and not to be used to submit comments. Please see the scoping letter on the project webpage for instructions on how to submit comments.

This proposal is being issued jointly by the LTBMU, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and the Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board.