Tahoe area snowmobilers urged to avoid areas with minimal snow
With snowpack in the Lake Tahoe Basin at low levels, the U.S. Forest Service is asking snowmobilers to shift their activities to locations with adequate snow coverage, within permitted snowmobile areas. Snowmobile operators should avoid bare dirt and patchy snow and should not ride across streams or over small trees or brush. Operating snowmobiles on too little snow creates ruts in the soil and crushes vegetation.
“We are asking snowmobilers for voluntary cooperation in moving their activities to suitable locations,” said Acting Forest Supervisor Jeff Marsolais. “Riding snowmobiles on too little snow not only causes resource damage, but can damage the machine as well.”
Tahoe Sierra Snowmobiling Club president, Greg McKay urges snowmobilers to comply with the Forest Service’s request. “Our club endorses responsible snowmobiling by trying to minimize resource damage in low snow depth conditions,” said McKay. “Please do your best to minimize your effect on vegetation, soil and waterways during these conditions.”
Causing resource damage can result in a citation punishable by a fine of $5000 or more and/or six months in jail. The Forest Service will continue to monitor areas throughout the Lake Tahoe Basin for compliance to protect natural resources.
Information on areas where snowmobiles are allowed is available in the online Snowmobile Guide at http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/ltbmu/Snowmobiling or at the Forest Supervisor’s office at 35 College Drive in South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150, 530-543-2694.