PR -- Meeks Meadow proposed restoration

Date: July 10, 2009 Contact: Public Affairs, Cheva Heck 530-543-2608 or Rex Norman 530-543-2627
COMMENT SOUGHT ON MEEKS CREEK MEADOW RESTORATION
South Lake Tahoe, Calif.—The U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) is seeking comments on a proposed action to restore Meeks Creek Meadow. The purpose of the project is to correct effects from past land uses, including grazing. The project would result in the restoration of the meadow and aspen stands, while maintaining existing recreational opportunities. The proposed action consists of re-opening Meeks Creek Meadow by removing dense stands of encroaching small diameter lodgepole pine across 77 acres of the project area. The lodgepole removal would be conducted using both hand treatments and low impact mechanical treatments. The project area includes stream environment zones (SEZ). SEZs that are determined to be suitable for ground-based equipment may receive low impact mechanical treatment. All other SEZs would be treated by hand crews. Lodgepole removal may be followed by low intensity prescribed fire known as a “broadcast burn.” Aspen reforestation efforts would be conducted on 6.5 acres of the project. Lastly, the project would remove structural debris in the western portion of the meadow from the former “Camp Waisu,” a Girl Scout camp that was abandoned in 1965. To provide for public safety in this popular day-use recreation area, temporary closures can be expected when heavy equipment in use. The due date for comments on the proposed action is July 31, 2009. The full Proposed Action Description is available for review at the Forest Supervisor’s Office at 35 College Drive, South Lake Tahoe Calif., and on-line at: http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/ltbmu/projects