LAKE TAHOE BASIN MANAGEMENT PLAN REVISION
Tell the Forst Service what you want changed!

Send your comments by June 5, 2010

Introduction

Snowlands Network needs your help in convincing the Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit that they need to take a more active role in the management of winter recreation. The LTBMU's current management plan is 20 years old and is out-of-date with respect to winter recreation; the revised Plan needs to consider the huge increase in demand for winter recreation and the affects of new technologies such as high power snowmobiles. 

You have experienced the conflicts that arise when both motorized and non-motorized winter recreation users vie for the same lands. More often than not, skiers and snowshoers are pushed out as they seek quiet, pollution-free and safe places to recreate. We urge you to tell the Forest Service that you want more active winter recreation management and more areas set aside for quiet, pollution-free and safe human-powered winter recreation.

Snowlands Network's representatives attended LTBMU meetings to submit comments and to learn what the Forest Service has in store for their Forest Plan revision. The timeline is: 

  • Currently accepting comments
  • Draft management plan completed in October 2010
  • Final management plan completed in Fall 2011 

Now is your chance to tell the Forest Service what you want changed! They don't have a specific deadline for comments, but to be most useful comments need to be received before they start writing the draft plan in June. 

Take action

Please email your comments to: comments-pacificsouthwest-ltbmu@fs.fed.us

Also send a copy of your comments to Snowlands Network at: alerts@snowlands.org

You can also send written comments to:

LTBMU Forest Supervisor's Office
Forest Plan Revision Team
35 College Drive
South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150

What to write

Your personal letter is needed to support changes in the management of winter recreation on the LTBMU. Please consider including some or all of the following items in your own letter. 

  • Give your name and address (required).

  • Tell the Forest Service that these are your thoughts on items that need to be addressed in the revision of the LTBMU Management Plan. NOTE that the LTBMU jurisdiction essentially includes the Lake Tahoe watershed - meaning lands that drain into the lake -- they do not have jurisdiction over other Lake Tahoe lands.  The Tahoe Rim Trail outlines the LTBMU area in general but not always in specific areas.

  • Tell them how you like to enjoy the Lake Tahoe area in winter. Do you ski or snowshoe? What do you seek when you recreate in winter? 

  • Tell them about experiences that have negatively impacted your enjoyment of the forest.

  • Tell them that snowmobile use is incompatible with your ability to enjoy quiet, pollution-free and safe winter recreation. Maybe you also seek slopes that have not been shredded by snowmobiles. Tell them how one snowmobile can shred the terrain that would have provided fresh powder snow for dozens of skiers.

  • Tell them about trespass by snowmobile users into non-motorized areas that you have experienced.

  • Tell them that more areas must be designated non-motorized in winter to provide opportunities for people like you. Make sure that they know what you seek, e.g. quiet, pollution-free and safe areas.

  • Snowlands Network is advocating that the area between Highway 267 and Highway 50 be designated a Quiet Quadrant where all motorized over snow travel is prohibited. This includes the Martis Peak area east of Highway 267 and the areas on both sides of the Mt. Rose Highway. This closure of a broad area is required because of enforcement issues and the fact that snowmobile pollution (noise, etc) spreads over a large area. Many of you know that skiers are being pushed out of the Martis Peak area; did you also know that snowmobile use is permitted south of the Tahoe Meadows and is certain to expand rapidly in that area unless prohibited?  Please support this designation -- give site-specific comments if you are familiar with the areas. For example, if you have been turned away from the Martis Peak area because of excessive snowmobile use, then say so. If you have enjoyed the area south of Tahoe Meadows (Chickadee Ridge) and assumed it was protected territory, tell them it must be protected now.