Forest Service: No significant impact on proposed Lake Tahoe food and refuse storage order
The U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit issued the draft decision Wednesday for the proposed Forest Order.
Because bears are attracted to anything edible or scented, improper storage of human food and other scented items and improper disposal of refuse is a leading cause of human-bear conflict. The proposed Forest Order would require the use of wildlife-resistant dumpsters and food lockers provided at developed recreation sites on the LTBMU.
Implementation of the Forest Order would begin at Fallen Leaf and Meeks Bay campgrounds and at Meeks Bay Resort due to a rise in the number of human-bear conflicts at these sites.
Implementation at additional developed recreation sites would be prioritized based on the frequency of human-bear conflict. Requiring proper food and refuse storage is expected to reduce human-bear conflict by preventing bears and other wildlife from obtaining human food sources.
The draft Decision Notice is posted below or you can see it by going here.
For more information, contact Megan Mullowney at 530-543-2651, or email mcmullowney@fs.fed.us.