LTBMU Forest Plan
IV. Management Direction
A . Introduction ...... B . Forest Goals and Predicted Future Condition ...... 1v-1 C . Forest Objectives - Average Annual Outputs ...... 1v-11 . Forestwide Summary of Acreage Allocations by Management ...... E . Management Practices and Forestwide Standards and Guidelines .... F . Management Prescriptions ...... G . Management Area Direction ...... 1. Blackwood ...... 1v-57 2 . Desolation ...... 3 . East Shore Beaches ...... Echo Lakes ...... 5 . Emerald Bay ...... 6 . Fallen Leaf ...... 7 ...... 8 . Genoa Peak ...... IV-101 . Heavenly ...... 10 . Lower Truckee River ...... 11 . Marlette ...... 12 . Martis ...... McKinney ...... 14. Meeks ...... Meiss ...... 16. Mt. Rose ...... 18 . Tahoe Valley ...... Urban Lots ...... IV-163 20 . Ward ...... 21 . Watson ......
Contents ~
LTBMU Forest Plan
IV. DIRECTION
A. Introduction
This chapter presents the management direction for the selected alternative, also referred to as the forest plan. The forest plan provides forestwide management direction, as well as specific management area direction.
Forestwide management direction is provided through: (1) management goals, (2) management objectives, and (3) forestwide standards and guidelines.
The management goals describe the desired future condition of the LTBMU that this forest plan is designed to achieve. The management objectives of the forest plan are planned measurable results (annual outputs) that respond to the management goals. These objectives provide long-term direction for the development of annual budget requests. Forestwide standards and guidelines establish the baseline conditions for each recognized management practice that must be maintained by the LTBMU to carry out forest plan direction.
For forest planning purposes the LTEIMU is divided into 21 management areas (MA). These management areas represent areas of land having similar character and/or use.
The following sections contain the (1) forestwide goals and the predicted future condition; (2) forestwide objectives; (3) management practices and forestwide standards and guidelines; (4) management prescriptions; and (5) management area direction. This direction along with laws, regulations, and national and regional policies stated in Forest Service manuals, provide the long range direction for managing the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit.
B. Forestwide Goals and Predicted Future Condition
The goals describe the desired future state or condition of the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit expected as a result of implementing the plan. Successful achievement of the goals is dependent upon accomplishing the activity and production levels described as objectives. employing the standards and guidelines, and receiving appropriate funding. Additionally, achievement of the goals is subject to adjustment of objectives and standards and guidelines that may occur to the plan due to monitoring and evaluation.
Many of the goals established for the national forest system lands are closely related to goals and environmental thresholds established by the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA). Thus, the TRPA Regional Plan for the basin will of necessity be referenced and monitored to assure that national forest programs and projects are compatible.
The following statements describe changes (that will probably occur) and conditions (that are expected to exist) in 10 to 20 years as a result of implementing this plan.
Management Direction LTBMU Forest Plan
SOCIAL ECONOMIC GOAL - Continue to produce goods and services for national and regional markets, while also being a responsive neighbor to the local communities.
Predicted Condition - of the Forest Service will continue to be important to the Lake Tahoe Basin. Recreation programs, especially skiing, contribute to employment and support. Important social benefits will result from the purchase of land to protect and restore the environment and provision of recreation facilities for both visitors and residents. Visual quality of the forested landscape will add substantially to attractiveness and thus to the tourism and appeal of the area. To a lesser degree, the forest is an important source of firewood for local consumption and provides land for numerous uses that support the community. The LTBMU staff provides valuable technical assistance in resource management for other agencies. Economic benefits will include financial relief to property owners who cannot develop their land because of environmental sensitivity and development of recreation facilities, such as ski areas and resorts, which stimulate the economy.
HUMAN RESOURCE GOAL - Use human resource programs to offer training, employment, and other social benefits while meeting resource management objectives.
Predicted Condition - Programs intended to offer training and employment opportunities or to utilize the skills and time of volunteers, will continue to be a significant factor in meeting plan objectives. Fluctuations will occur in these programs based upon the national or State level sensing of where the need may be most critical.
QUALITY GOAL - Maintain and, where necessary, restore the clear, clean air important to the aesthetic enjoyment of the area and the health of the people.
Predicted Condition - Activities will be conducted to aid in reversing declining air quality to achieve standards established for the These standards are described in Appendix E.
Smoke will be managed so as to reduce the amount of particulate matter (TSP and emitted. Prescribed burning of vegetation debris will not be increased and may be reduced by employing other forms of treatment such as leaving more material to naturally decompose. Following best available control technology (BACT). such as increasing the efficiency and timing of debris burning, will also reduce particulates. Wood stoves in Forest Service or permittee facilities will produce less particulate per ton of fuel burned through use of certified stoves and education on proper firing of the wood burning stoves.
Fugative dust from roads and land disturbing activities will be maintained at or below current levels through dust abatement practices and through traffic reductions.
Ozone, nitrates and carbon monoxide will have a net reduction from Forest Service activities. This should result from less vegetation treatment by prescribed burning. use of certified wood burning stoves along with educated
Management Direction IV-2 LTBMU Forest Plan
firing of them, reduced vehicular travel by public utilization of transportation alternates to the automobile.
NOISE GOAL - Maintain noise levels at, or quieter than, that which is compatible with the primary use of the area.
Predicted Condition - Sources of noise will be managed to achieve the Cumulative Noise Event Level (CNEL) and the Single Noise Event Level thresholds established by the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency. This will help to reduce or prevent the adverse affects upon wildlife and upon the health of people. These thresholds are described in Appendix E.
DIVERSITY GOAL - Provide for diversity of plant and animal communities to at least the present level. See Appendix E.
Predicted Condition - Vegetation and wildlife habitat diversity will be increased through management practices including natural successional progression. There will be more older and younger seral stages, especially in the mixed conifer type. Visual and water quality requirements will limit the amount of change on environmentally sensitive lands where treatment is restricted.
GOAL - Improve energy efficiency related to national forest activities in support of national policy.
Predicted Conditions - Recreation activities may become increasingly energy efficient if an enlarged basinwide public transit system is put into place. Bicycle and pedestrian improvements will also in reducing the consumption of fossil fuels. Forest Service administrative employees will become more knowledgeable of energy conserving techniques through training and awareness programs.
Firewood production will continue at a moderate level (about 4,000 cords) from vegetation management practices, but will not meet the local demand. The Forest Service will assist the local agencies in promoting more efficient woodstoves to reduce smoke production and improve heat output. It is unlikely that other energy sources will be developed at a significant level in the basin. Little, if any, hydroelectric development will occur in the basin.
FACILITIES GOAL - Provide administrative facilities such as offices, shops, storage, housing, and communication to support the work force.
Predicted Condition - Fire and general administrative facilities will be increased, although not substantially. Additional structures may be added and put to administrative use through the land acquisition program. Many old facilities will be replaced. Other facilities will be upgraded to better serve changing operations on the unit. Some buildings may be removed. Headquarters will remain on the south shore.
IV-3 Management Direction LTBMU Forest Plan
ROADS AND TRAILS GOAL - Provide a transportation system that accesses national forest resources and links well with the basinwide transportation.
Predicted Condition - All system roads and trails will be managed to lessen the adverse effects upon water quality and to provide for administration, recreation and other management purposes. Few new roads will be constructed. Roads and trails not needed in the transportation system will be closed. Roads and trails retained in the system will be improved to meet standards necessary for water quality protection. This will include improved drainage and stabilization of cuts, fills, and ditches. Where traffic is moderate to high, surfacing will be applied. Bridges or other types of crossings will be installed to keep vehicles out of streams. Gates will regulate seasonal use.
Cooperation with the TFiPA and other agencies will continue toward achieving an overall reduction in vehicle trips on Highway in South Lake Tahoe by 7% and an overall reduction of 10% (268,000 miles per average day) from the 1981 baseline vehicle miles traveled in the basin. This will be achieved through participation in the following measures:
a) A basinwide mass transportation system integrated with transportation systems outside the basin. b) Coordinating transportation systems to serve attractions and public needs. c) Encouraging ride sharing. Considering transportation needs in land use strategies. e) Providing bicycle and pedestrian facilities along major transportation corridors and interconnecting public transportation terminal and population and activities centers.
FIRE PROTECTION GOAL - Provide a level of fire protection to assure that property and resource losses are not excessive.
Predicted Condition - Losses due to wildfire will be kept to a very low level. Average annual acreage burned will be less than fifty.
The fire management program to be implemented will consist of approximately 6% detection, 33% prevention, 52% attack, and 9% fuels. This program will meet management objectives by integrating cost efficiency and nondollar values that are particularly important to the more sensitive issues on the unit. The wildfire response strategy in areas included in or adjacent to urbanized areas will be control of all fires to protect life, property, and other values at risk. Timber management practices adjacent to urbanized areas will reduce natural fuel loading. Wildfire containment will be required on forested lands outside of urbanized areas, but not including high elevation alpine areas. This strategy will require additional effort to gain public and other agency acceptance and support. The maximum wildfire size on forested lands outside of urbanized areas and on high elevation alpine areas will be dictated by fire intensity, fire spread potential, the probability of adverse resource effects, and air quality considerations.
Fire suppression will seldom require use of tractors. Air attack, including use of aerial retardants and helicopters, may be used under more adverse wildfire burning conditions. The possibility of a wildfire burning larger
Management Direction LTBMU Forest Plan
acreage than has burned in recent years, or of burning improvements such as homes, will remain during the most severe burning conditions. Forest Service suppression forces will not be trained or equipped to deal effectively structural fires. Prescribed fire will continue to be used as a method of reducing unacceptable fuel accumulations. Presuppression techniques that require clearing vegetation to bare mineral soil (fire breaks) will not be used.
The expected Fire Management Effectiveness Index (FMEI) is estimated to be 4.2.
LAW ENFORCEMENT GOAL - Provide information on laws and regulations to the public; establish enforcement practices to prevent violations of Federal statutes; protect the environment, life and property; and recover compensation due the government.
Predicted Condition - This activity will continue to require more emphasis as the population and visitor use increases in the basin. Demand for use of the forests resources will contribute to the problem since it will exceed that which is available. Restrictions on use of the land in public ownership will increase to control adverse effects upon water quality, wildlife habitat, visual quality, and other environmental threshold standards and to provide for public protection. Cooperative efforts with other law enforcement agencies and departments will continue. Prevention of violations will be emphasized.
- Maintain and improve both lake and stream habitat for fish. Improve habitat that below its ability to sustain or optimally produce fish, especially where it can be self-perpetuating or where it benefits migrating fish.
Predicted Condition - The quality of stream fishing will be improved even though the pressure for fishing will increase. Most improvement will be through watershed rehabilitation that remove or reduce channel blockages and bank scour caused by unnatural instream debris. Some direct fish habitat improvements will be made to improve pool and riffle ratio and to assure adequate water flow by reducing instream diversions and improve vegetation cover. These stream improvements will also result in better spawning conditions for rainbow trout, brown trout and Kokanee salmon that migrate from the lake. Lahontan cutthroat trout, a Federally designated endangered species, might be introduced into the Upper Truckee River watershed.
PEST MANAGEMENT GOAL - Implement an integrated pest management approach to prevent and/or reduce pest related damage to acceptable levels and maintain a healthy environment for people.
Predicted Condition - Insect and disease damage will continue to occur in the forest periodically. However, the amount of unacceptable damage and the frequency of outbreaks should decrease as stands receive adequate treatment to create and maintain healthy growing conditions. Detection and control techniques will continue to be implemented to public health-related problems such as plague. Problems associated with such diseases
IV-5 Management Direction LTBMU Forest Plan will probably continue to require occasional restrictions on the use of recreation facilities.
GEOLOGY GOAL - Reduce the risks to life and property from geologic hazards. Predicted Conditions - Geologic hazards will be better identified. Management activities and developments that are at risk from geologic hazards will be avoided in the future. Existing improvements will be modified where possible to lessen the potential impacts. Unstable areas will be added to the inventory of watershed restoration needs.
GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT GOAL - Prevent degradation of groundwater quality to assure its usefulness. Improve groundwater quality where degraded.
Predicted Condition - Demand for groundwater is expected to increase. The downward trend in groundwater quality will be reversed only after a better understanding is obtained of t.he extent and causes of degradation.
HISTORICAL AND RESOURCE GOAL - Protect our historical and cultural heritage.
Predicted Condition - Significant examples of the history and prehistory of the Lake Tahoe area will be preserved. Residual evidence of past social and economic uses of national forest lands will be located and documented; and some past activities will be interpreted or recreated to provide for better knowledge of and appreciation for the cultural heritage of the basin. Some cultural sites will serve recreational, interpretive or administrative functions.
LANDOWNERSHIP GOAL - Expand public ownership to protect the environment from the adverse effects of development and to expand or protect the public outdoor recreation opportunities.
Predicted Condition - National forest system land acreage will be increased through the purchase of land authorized by the Act, through the Land and Water Conservation Fund, donations, and exchanges. These lands will add to the recreation and other resource base, while assuring protection of environmentally sensitive land. National forest land acquisitions will reduce the potential for further adverse environmental change in the basin. It will also present some difficult management problems, especially those related to ownership of many unimproved small lots throughout the urbanized areas. The total land area in public ownership including State, county, and city land, will increase to about 85%. Transfers of land between the Forest Service and State and local governments will occur primarily within urban areas. Adjustments will also occur with State park system lands to improve each agencies ability to serve the public and to manage the land.
LOCATION GOAL - Identify property boundaries to assure that unauthorized uses do not occur.
Management Direction IV-6 LTBMU Forest Plan
Predicted Condition - Identification of property boundaries will be a large expense to programs, such as timber management. These expenditures will be necessary in order to fully utilize national forest resources and to prevent claims against the Federal government. Although land acquisition will eliminate the need for location in some areas, many miles of property boundary will be added through lot acquisition in communities. As lines are identified, numerous unauthorized activities will also be identified. Considerable effort will be required to resolve these trespasses upon national forest land. Though most will involve simple actions to remove temporary occupancies or activities, some permanent improvements may require other solutions. Legal action may be required.
LAND GOAL - Allow occupancy and use of the land for public and private purposes through issuance of a special use permit or easement where the use would be consistent with other goals.
Predicted Condition - Nonrecreation special uses will increase. Many will be the result of a declining undeveloped private land base upon which to locate uses associated with urbanization. Management will consolidate uses, such as at electronic sites, and will keep the amount of land disturbed and under permit at the lowest level necessary to do the Job.
MINERALS GOAL - Administer mining and mineral leasing laws and regulations in a manner which meets environmental standards for the area.
Predicted Condition - Occasional prospecting will continue to occur even though mineral potential is low over much of the Tahoe Basin. Proposals for development of discoveries will be infrequent with little activity on the ground. All current withdrawals will be reviewed for need. Withdrawals from mineral entry will be initiated for administrative sites, developed public recreation areas, wet lands, and areas highly valued for use by the public. Demand for mineral material will continue to be high. Most of the demand, including that required for projects on the national forest, will be supplied from sources outside the basin.
RANGE GOAL - Utilize forage resources compatible with watershed, wildlife, and recreation values.
Predicted Condition - Livestock grazing will continue on existing allotments. Adjustments in animal numbers and management practices will be made to prevent damage to watershed conditions and wildlife habitat.
GOAL - Provide opportunities for enjoying a variety of outdoor recreation experiences.
Predicted Condition - Recreation use will increase, partly in response to the construction or improvement of recreation facilities. An expanding population of residents and visitors in the basin will also add to the amount of dispersed recreation use without additions to facilities. Many activities now occurring
IV-7 Management Direction LTBMU Forest Plan on undeveloped land within the urbanized areas will shift to national forest land as open space is built upon. The pace of recreation facility construction will probably be slow in comparison to that predicted for private services. Many of the facilities installed will be designed to mitigate the adverse affects of existing recreation use on national forest land.
Over the long term, the amount of outdoor recreation development on national forest land will be expanded up to the amount determined to be a " fair share" of the basin's capacity. This share has been determined jointly by the Forest Service and the TRPA. The share stated in the TRPA Regional Plan for developed recreation will allow PAOT of additional day use sites, 3,230 PAOT of additional overnight accommodations, and 12,265 Skiers At One Time (SAOT) of additional downhill skiing facilities within the basin. This share can be filled only if the adverse affects are properly mitigated.
Opportunities for dispersed recreation will be increased. New improvements such as trails, trailhead parking, and other features will help people enjoy the forest.
Current interpretive programs will be expanded. The presence of large numbers of residents and visitors offers outstanding opportunities to increase their understanding of the natural environment, how people affect wildlands and how forest management activities are employed.
Cooperatively run information stations will be located at each major entry point to the basin to assist visitors and to orient them to special features, requirements, and services of the area.
AREA GOAL - Opportunities to enlarge the National Research Natural Area system will be evaluated.
Predicted Condition - Grass Lake Moss Bog, a recommended RNA, will be included in the system.
RIPARIAN AREA GOAL - Riparian areas are able to perform their natural function in the environment, such as habitat for dependent species and for watershed protection.
Predicted Condition - areas will be protected from new disturbance. Where new disturbance does occur, there will be off- setting mitigation to replace the loss. Damaged riparian areas will be restored through the watershed restoration program, adjustments in management practices, and natural rehabilitation over time.
SOIL GOAL - Maintain soil productivity and protect soils from surface erosion. Predicted Condition - Soil productivity will not be altered except where covered by buildings, roads, trails, parking areas, and other permanent improvements (impervious surfaces). Productivity that had been lost through alteration of soil conditions will have been returned to near natural levels. Wildland fire protection will continue to prevent large and repeated fires that
Management Direction LTBMU Forest Plan have the potential to cause soil erosion and the loss of soil productivity. Measures will be employed on all projects to protect soils from erosion. This will include the use of temporary measures to prevent erosion during the winter or during any period in which the project is temporarily shut down. Techniques, such as over-the-snow logging, will be utilized to reduce the amount of soil and vegetation disturbance that would otherwise occur. Where soil erosion was occurring or where conditions existed that had the potential for erosion, remedial action will have been taken by the year Soil disturbance in stream environment zones will have been given the highest priority for remedial treatment.
SPECIAL GOAL - Protect and classify areas that possess special recreational or scientific values, such as unique scenic, historical. geological, botanical, zoological, or paleontological characteristics. These areas will then be available for public study, use, or enjoyment as appropriate.
Predicted Condition - Tallac Historic Site will be designated a Special Interest Area. Other locations will be studied to examine whether or not they warrant inclusion into the system. Areas to be evaluated in this planning period are: Emerald Bay, Osgood Bog, Freel Peak Cushion Plant Community. and Taylor Creek Wetlands. Other areas possess special characteristics that may justify their evaluation in the future. They are: Grass Lake Moss Bog, Hell Hole, Floating Island Lake, Pope and Baldwin Marshes, Cave Rock, Glacial Moraine Deposits, and Ward and Blackwood Canyons. Interim management for these areas will monitor their use so that any destructive practices can be noted and modified to protect their special features from adverse impacts. This list of potential future candidates is not exhaustive, however, and more sites can be included on a case-by-case basis.
Additionally, Lake Tahoe, Grass Lake Moss Bog, Freel Peak Cushion Plant Community, Osgood Bog, and national forest land around Emerald Bay have been nominated for addition to the National Park Service's register of National Natural Landmarks.
TIMBER GOAL - Maintain healthy, diverse forest conditions through timber management practices designed primarily to achieve scenic, water quality, recreation, wildlife habitat, vegetative diversity, pest, and fire protection benefits rather than for wood fiber production.
Predicted Condition - Activities to improve the overall health of the timber resource will be increased. Most of the activity will occur on high and moderate capability land (Class to 7). Land Class 1, 2, and 3 readily accessed by existing roads will also be treated. Employment of timber management practices will continue to be marginally cost effective due to the high cost of water quality protection measures, slash disposal, and other environmental mitigation requirements. Demand will remain high for firewood used by basin residents and visitors. This demand will allow harvesting and utilization of material commonly left to be treated as slash.
As the forest health and diversity is improved, growth rates will increase. Potential for insect losses will be reduced.
IV-9 Management Direction LTBMU Forest Plan
A substantial portion of the basin will not be actively treated during the next 10 to years. Ability to manage the steeper, remote parts of the basin will be restricted by the high costs and environmental effects of operations. This may lead to vegetation management problems in the future.
VISUAL GOAL - Maintain an attractive forest by meeting or exceeding established visual quality objectives.
Predicted Condition - An attractive forest setting will be maintained commensurate with the large viewing population. Middle and background views will meet the visual quality objective of preservation on of the land areas, retention on partial retention on modification on 3%. and maximum modification on 1%. Improvements will be made to the TRPA scenic ratings for roadway and shoreline units.
Man-created alteration, in the form of vegetative treatments or structural improvements. will often be visible in the foreground. Such projects will be designed to retain the natural or rural mountain appearance of the setting. Occasionally there will be disturbances that do not meet public expectations of a rural man-made landscape or of a natural scene, but the healing process will be in progress.
WATER QUALITY GOAL - Reverse the downward trend in the quality of water entering Lake Tahoe and tributary streams. Restore water quality in the lake toward the clarity occurring when measurements first began.
Predicted Conditions - Activities will be conducted to assure that water quality standards for the basin are not violated. These standards are described in Appendix E.
Restoration of disturbed land and remedial actions to bring facilities on national forest land into compliance with Best Management Practices will have occurred by the year Permanent land disturbance, including impervious surface coverage, will be within the limitations of the 'Bailey' land capability system for the Lake Tahoe Basin. All activities will employ Best Management Practices. In some situations, curtailment of activities will be occurring to allow natural healing of a watershed. Regulations applied basinwide will be most restrictive on environmentally sensitive land, including within the stream environment zone. Most, if not all, environmentally sensitive land (and/or the development rights on these lands) will have been acquired by the Forest Service, State agencies or land trusts to prevent the adverse water quality impacts associated with development.
WATER QUANTITY GOAL - Assure quantities of water to meet instream needs and the requirements for utilizing national forest land. Use water conservation measures to minimize consumption. Improve existing water systems.
Predicted Condition - Opening the vegetative cover through timber management practices will result in a slight increase in water yield, largely through reduced biomass transpiration. Yield will not be increased enough in any one
Management Direction LTBMU Forest Plan watershed to cause accelerated stream scouring or to provide measurably more water. Distribution of water available for appropriation by the states will an issue.
GOAL - Preserve the wilderness values in areas designated by the Congress.
Predicted Condition - The national wilderness preservation system will include Desolation, Mt. Rose, and Granite Chief Wilderness. Semi-primitive recreation experiences and solitude will be found in these areas. The number of people served will not increase significantly from present, since the areas are currently serving near capacity. Desolation Wilderness entry quotas for overnight occupancy will continue.
WILDLIFE GOALS - Maintain habitat for the existing variety of wildlife without preference to game or nongame species. Preserve and enhance populations of threatened, endangered, and sensitive species.
Predicted Condition - Viable populations of native and desired nonnative species will be maintained through active vegetative management 'and other methods. Restrictions may be placed on recreation and other uses in key habitat areas during the nesting or wintering season for certain species. Meadows will be managed to improve deer fawning habitat and to add diversity to available wildlife habitat. Efforts to recover threatened and endangered species will include the reintroduction of one nesting pair of Peregrine falcons and managing habitat to encourage four nesting pairs of bald eagles. Wetland enhancement will benefit waterfoul as well as other wildlife.
C. Forest Objectives - Average Annual Outputs
Table IV.l displays the LTBMU objectives as average annual outputs by decades.
These outputs and activity levels were generated through the processes described in the accompanying Environmental Impact Statement.
Preparation of the annual program of work will be governed in part by the information shown in Table Likewise, this information is a ruler against which attainment of the forest plan can be measured. Although the information is presented as annual averages, many of the figures are best used, or reviewed, on a multi-year basis due to the fluctuations in work and funding from year to year.
IV- 11 Management Direction Forest Plan
Table
Decades Ye 2030 1 2 3 4 5
3 Developed Developed Private RV 99 (M (includes (M RV (includes Open, usable areas - Summer Open, usable OHV areas - M acres 7 Roads en Public Use - Summer (miles) 21 I to Public Vehicle Summer (miles) *' Roads Open - Summer (miles) Trails en - Summer (miles) Use - Summer {miles) 12 2% Snow Covered Roads to Winter Use (miles) 210 Covered Roads C Winter Use (miles) Snow Trails en Winter OHV Use (miles} Snow Covered Trails C Winter (miles) 10 Quality 8 WILDLIFE AND and Bald Eagle nest 4 4 4 4 4 Peregrine nesting 1 Wildlife -- Other Than T E capability) (animal numbers Resident other T E (M pounds) Spotted nesting Goshawk 12 Days 53 54 57 (not with recreation) Direct Habitat Improvement Other Wildlife (Except Fish Habitat Improvement Deer All Other Wildlife Species except T&E [except Acres of Direct Habitat Improvement Other Wildlife Species except T&E [except 5 RANGE Grazing 1400 TIMBER Allowable Sale Quantity a 0 Programmed Quantity I f 42 N
40 40 Forest
Table lb Annual Outputs by Plan 1 the period RPA Resource Elements 1 2 3 4 5
PRODUCTS OTHER THAN (curds) - WATER Quality feet 286 180 Increase 6 Quantity (M acre feat) 11 "'3 Improvement (acres) 80 220 MINERALS Mineral Land Acquisition HUMAN PROGRAMS- (enrollees)
- Total Fuel Treatment Fire- related Treatment Timber- related Fuel Treatment Other Fuel 0 Expected Acres by Intensity Class 1 Intensity 2 Intensity Class Intensity 2 t Intensity Class 0 60 44 14 4 3
FACILITIES Dams and Forest Service Other Other State
0 16 16 16 1 TOTAL 3 3 53 54 53 TOTAL COST,- 53 64 Table Acreage Allocations Management Prescriptions and Management
Lower E Shore Round Heavenly Management Truckee Martis Marlette Beaches
Intensive Dispersed 759 Wilderness - 2625 - .
Reduced Timber Harvest 9 2 . .. ._.._ __ 378 59 - ..- ... 52 Research Natural Area ll - . Full Timber Harvest 1 Intensive Grazing
Totals 845 8663
Management Echo Leaf Desolation Meeks Blackwood Ward
Timber 12 UrbanReduced 56 43 54 - Research Natural Area
Pull Timber 1 Intensive Grazing
21300 4082 6622 LTBMU Forest Plan
D. Forestwide Summary of Acreage Allocation by Management
Table summarizes the assignment of acres of land by management prescriptions within each management area. It indicates the amount of land that is to receive certain kinds of management emphasis, or management prescription. The land base upon which the prescriptions are to be applied are shown on the maps accompanying each management area in the second half of this chapter .
E. Management Practices and Forestwide Standards and Guidelines
This section describes the Management Practices used by the LTBMU to accomplish its goals and objectives. With the description of the practice there are also Standards and Guidelines that direct how the practice would be used and provides a measure as to the quality of accomplishment expected.
Direction is considered to apply forestwide unless it is modified by the
~ management area direction found later this chapter. Since listed - all practices are not applied in every management prescription. the forestwide standards and guidelines do not truly apply to every acre. However, wherever the practice applies, the forestwide standards and guidelines also apply.
List of Practices
Page # General Management IV-18
Recreation 1. Recreation and VIS Site IV-19 2. Dispersed Recreation Facility 3. Development and Administration of Private Sector Recreation Downhill Skiing IV-21 5. Developed Recreation and VIS Site Operation, Maintenance and Protection IV-21 6. Dispersed Recreation and VIS Site Operation, Maintenance and Protection IV-21 7. Dispersed Recreation Management - Summer IV-22 8. Dispersed Recreation Management - Winter IV-23 9. Visual Quality Restoration or Improvement IV-24 10. Cultural Resource Management IV-24
Wilderness 11. Management of Wilderness Resource IV-25
Wildlife and Fish 12. Nonstructural Wildlife Habitat Management IV-26 Early Successional Stage Vegetation Management IV-27 14. Old Growth Management IV-27 Nonstructural Fish Habitat Management 16. Structural Wildlife Habitat Improvement IV-28 Structural Fish Habitat Improvement
IV-15 Management Direction LTBMU Forest Plan 18. Protection and Enhancement of Threatened and and Sensitive Plant Habitat IV-28 Range Range Allotment Management IV-29 20. Range Pasture Management IV-29 21. Range Improvement IV-29
Timber (General) Regeneration Harvest (Selection Cutting) 24. Sanitation Salvage Cut IV-31 Special Cut IV-31 26. Thinning IV-31 27. Timber Stand Improvement IV-31 28. Reforestation IV-31 Water Water Use Management Water Quality Maintenance and Improvement Road or Trail Closure Water Flow Timing 33. Water Yield Improvement Minerals 34. Minerals Management
Lands 35. Land and Resource Management Planning 36. Special Land Use (Non-Recreation) 37. Withdrawals 38. Rights-of-way 39. Property Boundary Location 40. Cooperative Technical Assistance 41. Landownership Adjustment - and other Authority 42. Land Acquisition - 96-586 Soils 43. Soil Resource
Facilities 44. Road Construction or Reconstruction 45. Temporary Road Construction IV-40 46. Road Maintenance IV-40 47. Trail IV-41 48. Trail Maintenance IV-41 49. Facilities IV-42 Facilities Operation and Maintenance IV-42
Management Direction IV-16 LTBMU Forest Plan
Protection 51. Fire Prevention Fire Detection and Suppression 53. Fuels Treatment 54. Prescribed Fire Management 55. Law Enforcement IV-44 56. Forest Pest Management IV-44 57. Geologic Inventory and Evaluation and Geotechnical Investigation
IV-17 Management Direction LTBMU Forest Plan
GENERAL MANAGEMENT basin capacity,
h) Harvesting and treatment of timber stands to maintain health and diversity of the vegetationand to provide for Practice Description the safety of people and property,
This direction applies to all management practices implemented on the LTBMU Lowest priority will be given to forage grazing
Practice Standards and Guidelines Selection of management practices to achieve forest goals and objectives and to resolve problems will be made at the project In resolving conflicts. the following list of resources or uses are level based upon site specific analysis Normally, procedures order of priority and will normally apply established the National Environmental Policy Act and reg ulations of the Council of Environmental Quality Highest priority will be given to the protection of water 1500.1508 will be used far analysis and documentation quality and the enhancement of the clarity of water in Lake Tahoe Program and project development will be guided by both this Protection of threatened and endangered plant and forest plan and by the TRPA Regional Plan for the Tahoe Basin animal species to the area, Define the process for TRPA review of national forest activities by Memorandum of Understanding between the agencies Preservation of cultural resources determined or be- lieved to be of significance,
Achievement of air quality standards for health, and Support the attainment of the Environmental Thresholds es visibility, and to prevent the adverse impacts of at- tablished for the Tehoe Basin (see Appendix E) Operate within mospheric deposition upon water quality. Forest Service authority toward achievement of the thresholds regardless of the status of regional government in the area Maintenanceof viable populations of wildlife,
Achievement of diverse vegetation communities, Assist adjoining national forest in assessment of projects outside the Lake Tahoe Basin where there is for ad- Establishment of a variety of outdoor recreation facil verse effects upon achievement of environmental threshold ities and uses at a levelthat assures a 'fair share' of the standards Recommend mitigation measures
ForestwideStandards and Guidelines - 18 LTBMU Forest Plan
Provide open space between developed sites and between RECREATION RESOURCE sites and urban areas The space should be sufficient to keep the effects of one from diminishina the , of in the other In situations where there insufficient space, other measures, including alternative sites, should be considered to Recreation and VIS Site buffer effects
Locate recreation uses which produce high noise away Practice Description: from recreation activities where low noise levels are important and away from critical wildlife habitat Planning and building of facilities for public sector developed recreation The primary purpose to provide opportunities for of outdoor reoreation in a rural setting Included are campgrounds. sites, centers, trails and parking and utility services associated with these facilities Practice Description
Practice Standards and Guidelines Planning and building of facilities for public sector dispersed recreation activities The primary purpose to enhance priority for recreation uses that are the most highly de- ac pendent upon the special resources of area tivities in the full spectrum of environmental settings by pro viding support facilities Included are trailhead parking, small remote camping sites, directional and interpretive signs. vista at Of more concentrated and OH" Protect and enhance potential recreation sites future "' velopment staging areas Also included are structures or features needed to reinforce sites to orotect the environment
Locate new recreational facilities on class land and in proximity to necessary access and Practice Standards and Guidelines
Plan for and construct approximately 2,230 PAOT of facilities Evaluate potential and determine necessary mitigations such as support of (Nearly during planning of all projects 80% of this development to provide for existing use rather than to expand use)
Locate visitor information sewices in areas of concentrated use or near entry points to the basin Increaseopportunity for and riding outside of Desolation Wilderness with particular to those which have been, for lack of access or public ownership, poorly accessed Ease the type, location, and rate of recreation development on in the past demand for such use This will not exceed the "fair share' of 4,550 PAOT of additional development All or portion of this capacity may be provided private concessionaire 3- Development and Administration of Pri vate Sector Recreation Prepare a traffic analysis for each new recreation site which would produce more than trips per day Prepare a traffic analysis when existing sites that produce traffic are Practice Description proposed for reconstruction TRPA criteria for a traffic analysis will be used including modeling that estimates the effectsof the Planning for and administrationof recreation sites dispersed project upon level of at key intersections, effects upon opportunities through private investment The primary purpose air quality, and effects upon traffic flow Plan offsetting mit is to provide opportunities for of outdoor recreation igation measures for the impacts of the type best developed through private investment and management, primarily in 3 rural setting Included are resorts (also see practice 4 for downhill ski resort Design facilities for by transit operation Those facilities reation residences. improved cross-countryski recreation that are near the lake shore should also be serviceable by equipment rentals, recreation events, and organization boats camps
- Forestwide Standards and Guidelines LTBMU Forest Plan
Practice Standards and Guidelines. Substantial physical or psychological conflict with other public recreation uses exists or is probable in the future, Consider new private sector recreation use proposals including that cannot be mitigated other ways. recreation events on the merits of each case Applicants must Unacceptable environmental effects upon water, or demonstrate that private land is not available. capable. or suit- scenic quality. cultural resources threatened and en able Proponents will normally be expected do their own envi dangered species that cannot be mitigated or that the ronmental analysis and submit the documentation in environ permittee is unwilling to mitigate, mental assessment or impact statement acceptable to the Forest Supervisor Significant natural hazardsto the users of the site. now or in the future Manage developed sites so that the number of occupants at any one time does not exceed the designed capacity Term permits for recreation residences not exceed 10 years where the Federal government has borne a substantial portion of Continue existing resort developments so long they serve a the cost lo install a sewage collection system, or where waivers public need that cannot be met on non-national forest system have been granted by state authorities for full export of sewage lands or where the resort development offsets the need for sub stantial capital investment by the Forest Service to meet public recreation demand Recreation residences will be allowed lo expand size to handle larger numbers of people or allowed additional impervi Allow new organization camps to be located the Mt Tallac ous surface coverage The exception is where the Forest Service Tract or other regulatory agencies require additions to the residence for such improvements as toilet facilities If the required addition cannot be accommodated within the existing land coverage, ad Arrange for removal of existing private structures (piers. ditional coverage may be authorized boathouses, rafts, moorings. etc on lakeshore unless a) they are necessary reasonableenjoyment of associated special use permits are planned for continued use. and b) the need Manage the waiver to total waste water export granted by the cannot reasonably be met through community or public facilities Lahontan Water Quality Control Board for Echo Lakes, Angora Lakes, Lily Lake, Fish Hatchery Tract. and Lots 19-23. 33, 35, and 62-63 of Fallen Leaf Lake Tract (Order Require Allow new public use facilities on lakeshore necessary to ments of the waiver are provide for recreation access and enjoyment of the lake and shore areas New structures for private purposes will not be al a) Seasonal occupancy be normally to the summer lowed on lakeshore or other waterfront months
b) Toilet wastes be exported from the Lake Tahoe Basin or Do not permit new recreation residences including those upon incinerated unoccupied lots within existing recreation residence tracis c) Solid wastes be exported from the Lake Tahoe Basin
Evaluate the suitability of recreation residence reconstruction d) No automatic washing machines. dishwashers, or case by case destroyed by fire, or other causes garbage disposals be used
e) Only natural soaps or phosphate free cleaning agents be used Permits for recreation residences within 100-year flood plain, avalanche path, unstable areas. or other hazardous situation. Food wastes be exported from the Lake Tahoe Basin or require a clause that substantial damage caused by the 9 incinerated hazard will cause the permit to be revoked No additions to existing improvements will be authorized for residences such g) Wash waters be discharged to leaching areas located a circumstances minimum of 100 feet from any surface water with a so11 mantle adequate for percolation
Continue existing recreation residences until a future use deter mination indicates one or more of the following conditions exist If the Lahontan Water Quality Control Board waiver (order is revoked, require the permiltees to find acceptable a) The site is suitable for producing goods and for methodsfor treating sewage the permits ten years which there is a demonstratedcurrent or projected pub The basis for the waiver was the finding that lic need at that location,
Forestwide Standards and Guidelines - LTBMU Forest Plan
Proposalsfor ski area development at any sites not approved a) The continued operation of septic tanks, cesspools, or this forest plan will not be considered until this plan is revised other means of waste disposal in such areas will not, the next round of planning Stevens Peak, Waterhouse Peak, individually or collectively, directly or indirectly affect Blackwood and Freel were potential ski areas that will not be the quality of the waters of Lake Tahoe, and, considered
The sewering of such area would have a damaging effect upon the environment 5- Developed Recreation and VIS Site Op Uses accessory to a permitted use, such old privies, build eration, Maintenance, and Protection ings and garages, outside storage of building materials. will be evaluated as to need and appropriateness to the site In clusion or removal of the accessory uses in the permit, will be Practice based the evaluation Activities necessary to keep a site open for public use through- out a planned season The primary purpose to assure that When renewing permits or making significant amendments, people may safely occupy and enjoy the services provided at provisions will be made to incorporate the latest requirements the site, including the information and educational of a for mitigating the environmental impacts of the activity or in VIS site Operation and maintenance of facilities, control of stallation These requirements will include, but are not limited collection of fees, enforcement of rules, interpretive programs, to, incorporating Best Management Practices. visual improve and displays are included ments, noise management and mitigation of air and traffic im pacts Practice Standards and Guidelines
Arrange for a program for sharing maintenancecosts on roads and trails serving both special use sites and general public use, Manage developed sites so that the number of occupants does on a basis to use Agreements will be developed not exceed the design capacity Provide standard level with individual permittees or associations of to per- throughout the primary use period (June 15 through Labor form the maintenance Day) Sites may be operated at low standard or closed to use outside of this primary use period
4- Downhill Skiing Provide coordinated system of facilities and pro- grams that efficiently meet the needs of target De velop interagency interpretive and programs where Practice Description: feasible
Activities required to for the of downhill facilities through private sector investment and operation Of the naturaland cultural Also includes the administration required to assure proper is forest interpretation that involves people as an opportunities authorized part of the natural environment Use the environmental quality of the area program to aid in understanding the special management to protect Lake Tahoe
Practice Standards and Guidelines:
Expansion of existing ski facilities shall be permitted based 6- Dispersed Recreation and VIS Site Op upon an approved master plan for the future facilities The plan eration, Maintenance, and Protection must demonstrate that the expansion consistent with the . availability of accommodations and infrastructure to support visitors when they are off the ski area, 2) the expansion Practice Description not result in any enlargement of total parking facilities for per sonal automobiles the Lake Tahoe Basin. and 3) the ex Activities required to keep a open for public use a pansion consistent with all other goals and policies of the planned season The primary purpose to assure that people TRPA Regional Plan and all other standards and guidelines of may safely occupy and enjoy the provided at a site this forest plan Existing master plans will be amended to ac designed to support dispersed types of recreation count for the above criteria Expansion shall not exceed Included is the operation. maintenance and protection of fa SAOT of additional capacity from all ski areas on nationalforest cilities. control of use. enforcement of rules, and collection of land fees either on a full service or a reduced service basis
- 21 Forestwide Standards and LTBMU Forest Plan
Hazard tree removal will meet the standards required for de Practice Standards and Guidelines veloped sites where intensity of dispersed use is comparable to a developed
Same as Practice 5 other jurisdictions to manage highway traffic for enjoyable travel Generally, peak use traffic flow shall not ex 7- Dispersed Management - Summer ceed level of service 'C' in the Roaded Natural ROS Class Areas and level of within Rural ROS Class Areas (Levels refer to Federal Highway AdministrationStandards) Practice Description Minimize conflict between dispersed recreation user groups, Management of areas for dispersed types of summer recreation including those operating under special use permits Deny a activities The primary purpose to assure that people may special use when such use would not be compatible with de- safely and knowledgeably engage in these activities in a man sired ROS class of the area or where public recreation use is ner that is compatible with the environment,with other resource already at a high level activities, and with private land uses Included are motorized and nonmotorized activities. urban and nonurban types of ac tivities, active and sedentary activities, and outfitter guide types of activities Management consists of planning, informing, reg Manage density of use so as not to exceed the level where ulating, search and rescue, administration of permits, and clean resource damage becomes unacceptable on the lower Truckee River, at the east shore beaches, and at other environmentally sensitive but highly attractive dispersed recreation sites Where the number of recreationists results in unacceptable degrada tion of the site and the only solution would be to develop Practice Standards and facilities inappropriate to the target ROS class, visitor rationing may be imposed Give priority to the following actions to facilitate dispersed rec reation activities Allow mountain bicycles on system roads and trails except Maintain variety of environmental conditions (ROS within wilderness areas, where they are prohibited Further classes) to satisfy different visitor interests (see ROS study the impacts of relatively new use of trails to better determine the environmentaleffects and appropriate regulation Where necessary to prevent environmentaldegradation or user Minimize adverse resource impacts from concentrated conflict, trails may be closed to mountain bike use Encourage dispersed use by developing resource or social car mountain bikes to remain on developed roads and trails rying capacity limits as needed
Assure access to locations offering dispersed recre Develop direction for management of the Tahoe Rim Trail in ation attractions where environmental and social con cluding regulations for use of the trail, facility and signing de- ditions permit sign, maintenance and patrol, and education programs Defer issuance of guide permits on completed segments of Provide information to visitors the variety of rec the Tahoe Rim Trail for five years after construction or until reation opportunities and regulations regarding the completion of a Rim management plan. which ever occurs management of national forest lends first
Enhance the opportunities by building and maintaining where appropriate. trails. trailheads, and other support Summer OHV management direction will include facilities to provide for multiple kinds of dispersed rec reational opportunities Provide a system of system roads and trails designed to meet the needs of a wide variety of off-highway Identify potential summer and winter OHV routes that vehicles Allow summer off-highway vehicle use only can be developed consistent with environmental and on designated (marked) forest system roads and trails management guidelines. with special emphasis placed that are managed for this use Summer OHV use is not on minimizing conflicts between users and urban ar permitted on Forest System roads and trails that have eas been administratively closed and marked as such by gates, signing, fencing or other means of designation Summer OHV use will not be permitted on trails unless Allow opporlunities for dispersed undeveloped camping An they are signed or marked as a motorized nually review the camping closures, through an interdisciplinary trail OHVs will only be permitted to access the national process, to assure that the purpose for the closures is being forests through designated trailheads or roadways achieved Revise Forest closures as nec Random access through public lands will not be essary lowed
Forestwide Standards and Guidelines - 22 LTBMU Forest Plan
8- Dispersed Recreation Management - Winter Roads and trails will be closed when there is a finding that adverse resource impacts are occurring that can- not be reasonably mitigated, and where OHV use is Practice Description conflicting with established urban areas adjacent to the national forest Soil, water and other Managementof areas for dispersed types of recreationactivities resource monitoring will be instltutedas of the Unit except within classified wilderness The primary purpose is to OHV program assure that people may safely and knowledgeably engage in these activities in a manner that is compatible with the en Summer road and trail system will vironment, with other resource activities, with private land uses, be provided in those areas identified in the Manage and with conflicting recreation experiences Includes ment Area Directionsfor the LTBMU and on the Sum cross-country (Nordic) skiing, snowmobiling. snow play, ice mer OHV Management Map Emphasis of the OHV skating, and winter camping Management consists of planning, system will be to divert use away from areas, informing, regulating, search and rescue, administration of out- to direct use away from private land interface and to fitter-guide permits, and clean up provide routes that encourage access to use areas Consistent monitoring of user compliance will be maintained Practice Standards and Suitable summer OHV use of designated roads and trails will exist when road or trail surface IS Refer to standards and guidelines for Practice 7 sufficiently dry to prevent resource damage All roads and trails are closed to motorized use when wet con ditions would lead to resource damage The winter OHV management map shows those areas where snomobiles and other over-the-snowvehicles are permitted and Maintain a public information program to inform and those areas closed to winter motorized use Over-the-snowve involve OHV users regarding the implementation of hicles are permitted only where at least six inches of snow OHV regulations and direction Maintain an active pro- covers the ground Modifications of the Winter OHV Manage gram of patrol and maintenanceon designated routes, ment Map may be made following project level planning and and of law enforcement to minimize unlawful OHV use preparation of an environmental analysis
- 23 Forestwide Standards and Guidelines LTBMU Forest Plan
- -~ -.~~~ VISUAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES -=~ 10- Cultural Resource Management -.
9- Visual Quality Restoration or Improvement Practice Description:
--~ ~
Actions to preserve historical, cultural or archaeological values ~
~~ Practice Description: The primary purpose is to preventthe loss of these socially and ~
-~ scientdically important values Included are survey. inventory. -~-~~
~~~ ~ Actions taken to restore the appearance of land or facilities and evaluation, and, as necessary. the protectionand enhance- ~~~ --. where they are diminished below desired standards or where of significant cultural resources there are opportunities to improve visual variety of the land - -~~ scape or create vistas of interesting natural features The pri == ----Y mary purpose is to assure pleasing landscapesfor visitors to or ~ Practice Standards and Guideline. ~ people residing in the vicinity of the forest. - ---= ~ ~~ Conduct and inventories to identify the presence or __~~ __~~~ Practice Standards and Guidelines absence of archaeological. historical, or other cultural resource - properties. giving priority to planned activity areas, in a manner
~~~ Schedule rehabilitation of sites that do not meet the adopted consistent with the National Preservation Act Prepare Visual Quality except where natural processes are written reports documenting survey coverage, methods, and -~~~ -~~~ expectedto provide adequate restoration by the year 2005 recordation using guidelines from the State Historic Officer (SHPO), the Forest Service. and the Advisory -~- Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) - Increase opportunrlies to view Lake Tahoe or other scenic at- tractions from highways, points, and other planned __E cations Evaluate properties to assess their scientific, ethnic, or historic significanceby applying the National Registerof Historic Places = - criteria of eligibility Assess the effects of each undertaking on -~ mitigation measures for all activities where the activity --~ significant historic properties In consultation with the SHPO __ would alter the landscape beyond the adopted Visual Quality and the ACHP if necessary, develop mitigation measures to __.=-- Objective alleviate adverse impacts on significant properties --I~~ _~ __--_~~ == Participate with State and local jurisdictions in the design of Protect all identified cultural properties until they are evaluated, - highway corridors to provide an aesthetically pleasant drive with all unevaluated properties being treated as eligible for -~-
-~ through the basin, opportunities to appreciate the lake as a nominationto the National Register of Historic Places and - focal point, and to emphasize the natural rather than the man- forded the same consideration as national register properties made environment Initiate enhancement action as well as re Evaluatethe historicaland archrlectural significanceof all build- -1 storative action (Refer to the TRPA visual quality system for __ ings scheduled for removal - roadways -- --~ Conduct compliance inspections of special use operations and -~ Establish procedures with local governments that encourage - depositing of refuse at authorized disposal site and discourages project activities with stipulations or conditions regarding -.--- unauthorized dumping caused by high fees or inconveniences known cultural resources Ensure confidentiality of most site resulting from mandatory export from the basin locations to minimize threat of thefts and vandalism Prevent -~- natural physical deteriorationwhere possible
Design recreation or special use construction on the lakeshore -~ ~ (above high water line) to preserve the visual character of Enhance cultural resources through scientific study and inter ~~ shorezone (Refer to the TRPA visual quality system for the pretation of their significant values, for increased public .-~~ __ shorezone) and enloyment Avoid andlor protect Native American religious or burial sites, and encourage the reestablishment of -= traditionalties to by the through such Signs installed on the forest will be maintained, removed, or means as the construction of a cultural center near Taylor - replaced if determined to be distracting to near view visual Creek Rehabilitate or restore historic structures for interpretive =-- -~ standards or other purposes -~~ -~
Forestwide Standards and Guidelines - 24 LTBMU Forest Plan
WILDERNESS RESOURCE Reducethe impact of nonconforming activities or improvements so that the imprint of these works is not noticeable
11- Management of Wilderness Resource Require outfitter guides to participate in the maintenance of wilderness trails and camps Pracfrce Description
Planning and caring for the areas designated by Congress as Evaluate the need to set an upper limit on the number of part of the National Wilderness Preservation System The pri guide special use permits within designated Wilder mary purpose is to assure that natural biological processes may ness no new guide permits within Desolation continue relatively unaltered by man's influence and to provide reasonable access to this environmentfor recreation enjoyment Wilderness no permits for competitive recreation events and for scientific study Included is planning, issuance, within Wilderness areas enforcement of restrictions, litter removal, and providing of in- formational or educational contacts Evaluate emission sources which might affect the Class I including sources not on Federal land Inventory and Pracfrce Standards and identified air related values (AQRV) and the ef fects of air pollution on them Provide the opportunity for public use, enjoyment, and un derstanding of the wilderness at a level of visitationthat assures availability of solitude, and a primitive, unconfined recreation Consider insect and plant disease control only when necessary experience Maintain stable watersheds, indigenous plants and to prevent a) unacceptable or unnatural of the wilderness animals. and other features essential to natural con resource due to exotic pests, unacceptable damage to re- ditions sources on adjacent lands, and c) any threat to continued lawful uses of, or activities in, the area If control IS necessaly, it will be Maintain a high level of freedom for movement and activity carried out using techniques which have the least adverse im once a visitor has entered the wilderness Employ constraints pact on the wilderness resource and are compatible with wil when necessary maintain the wilderness resource derness management direction
- 25 Forestwide Standards and Guidelines LTBMU Forest Plan
Maintain the present acreages of the following seven seral stages the conifer the red fir timber types while WILDLIFE AND FISH producing increases seral stages 1 2 through vegetation management activities
12- Nonstructural Wildlife Habitat Management Grasslforb stage
Pracbce Description. stage, up to 20 feet in height Planning and implementing activities that maintain or improve 3a = Polelmedium tree stage, 20 to 50 feet in wildlife (all species) habitat through non-structural means The height, substantial shrub layer primary purpose to perpetuate viable populations of wildlife species native to the area through management of their habitat = Polelmedium tree stage, 20 to 50 feet Included are activities such as prescribed fire, snag protection. height. 40% or greater canopy, shrub layer va seeding and planting, timber harvest. maintenance of canopy riable closure, control of Ilvestock, and human access control
4a = Large tree stage, mature to overmature. 50+ feet. 0 - 39% canopy. substantial shrub layer Practice Standards and Guidelines = Large tree stage. mature and overmature, Protect or improve habitat through coordination with other man feet, 70% or greater canopy agement = Large tree stage, older and overmature, idence of other decadence, 70% or greater older canopy Provide and maintain an average of two hard snags per acre and retain most snags for dependent species such as the pileated, hairy and white-headed woodpeckers, sapsuckers, Establish beaver population levels for zones or wa common flicker. and the Douglas squirrel The exception tersheds and manage as not to exceed the level de- where snags would be a hazard to life and A hard scribed in the Beaver Management Plan for the LTBMU. 1980 snag defined as a standing dead tree or partially dead tree Decisions for population oontrol in a zone will be based upon with at least 314 of the surface area sound, at least eleven food cache and colony size estimates. or upon the new oc inches diameter breast height (dbh) and twelve feet tall Further cupancy of areas undesirablefor beaver details are contained in the LTBMU Snaa- Management- Policv. 1980 Maintain surveillance for spotted owl Conduct a new survey lo determine they're present in the basin If nesting pairs are Provide and maintain at least three down logs per acre in found, establish management areas that will be managed spe timbered areas to meet the need of dependent species such as cifically for spotted owls by regional standards for northern shrews, chipmunks, golden mantled ground squirrel, and rac species unless local data, WHR model verification or other in- coons The logs should be in varying stages of decay, at least formation indicates that some modification of those standards 12 inches in diameter and 20 feet long should be used No logging, vehicle use or other turbances would be permitted in the nest stands from April lo June 30 Provide cover for a variety of species by retaining at least two slash piles per acre In areas lacking other suitable wildlife cover except where fire hazard or visual management standards Maintain existing goshawk habitat protect recently active would be exceeded nest sites The primary protection zone (at least acres) will include the nest tree. alternate or potentialalternate stands, plucking and roosting sites, and whenever possible the closest water source Concentrated recreation use such as OHV ac Provide adequate advance posting and notification when sea tivities or other disturbanceswill not be permitted Timber man sonal closures are used lo protect habitat. especially nesting agement will be limited to activitieslo maintain habitat require sites. of species sensitiveto human activity Duration of closure ments and will occur outside of the nesting period Maintain a will be as short as feasible where recreation opportunities are in secondary zone of 200 acres outside the primary zone with a demand canopy closure of not less than 40% in mature stands
Identify potential bald eagle nesting sites and manage to en- Require non-degradation of existing deciduous tree types, wet- courage reestablishment of four pairs Sites will consist of ma land, and meadow habitat Increase the acreage in these ri ture or overmature conifer stands, within 112 mile of large bod parian associationswhere are present ies of water, and with relative freedom from human disturbance
Forestwide Standards and Guidelines - 26 LTBMU Forest Plan
Rointroduco ono Peregrine falcon pair to a potontlal nest goshawk, spotted and wolverine Techniques in Pronib.t rock clmbing on nest.ng cliffs between April 1 and July clude uneven-aged under thinning, underburning, 31 Constrdct no trails or roaas to the lop or baso of nesting human access control and maintenance of snags. and down logs When located along travel routes and near recreation areas, old growth stands and specimen monarch trees also provide visual and recreation benefits Manage wetlands suitable for waterfowl nesting for low level human disturbance from March 1 to June 30, excepting the Pope Beach recreation site, which may be opened beginning Practice Standards and Guidelines Memorial Day weekend Harassment of nesting waterfowl by domestic animals (especially dogs) must be controlled Maintain 5% or more of the land area in the conifer type, and the red fir type, in old growth (seral stage 4C) to support dependent wildlife species and to provide visual variety Con Protect mule deer fawning areas by constructing no permanent tinue to most of the stands and size 6 roads within feet of meadow edges and by avoiding mead- ow crossings Keep road density to less than five miles per square mile of land area Old growth will consist of the following conditions
Multilayered structure with 70% cumulative can Work with local communities to control domestic animals that a) opy closure conflict with wildlife
b) Overstory primarily composed of trees 21' dbh or greater with at least 40% canopy clcsurw 13- Early Successional Stage Vegetation c) Obvious decadence represented by broken-topped or Management defective trees and by standing dead material 24' dbh or larger, 20 feet high or higher, averaging 4 per acre Practice Description and down dead material all classes of decay, diameter or larger averaging 4 per acre Activities that produce or maintain early stages of forest or meadow The primary purpose is to provide habitat for species dependent upon this stage of growth. deer Old stands that are larger than 40 acres and are within and quail Techniques include prescribed fire, clearing trees mile of water will be protected and maintained for wildlife (especially lodgepole pine encroaching upon meadows), her bicides, livestock grazing, and mechanical stripping crush ing 15- Nonstructural Fish Habitat Management Practice Standards and
Develop and maintain a watershed by watershed inventory of Practice Description. where and when forest openings up to five acres in could be introduced to produce greatest benefits for vegetative di Planning and implementing activities that maintain or improve versity and wildlife habitat Use this inventory to establish pri fish (all species) habitat through non-structural means The pri orities for the timber management program mary purpose to perpetuatethe cold water fisheries resource through management of their habitat Includes stream barrier removal, human access control, protection and enhancement of Schedule treatments to produce early successional stages riparian vegetation. and beaver control Many if not all of these through prescribed fire, precommercial cutting or other meth activities would on projects where watershed restoration ods the minimum desired acreage new acres by 1996) is the priority for accomplishment cannot be achieved through the timber program
Practice Standards and Guidelines
Old Growth Management Relocate points of diversion for consumptive uses of water by the Forest Service to Lake Tahoe wherever feasible to sustain Practice Description. instream water flow
Activities that maintain old growth forest habitat The primary purpose is to this habitat for species dependent upon Obtain water availability assurance for instream flows this stage of vegetation, such as bald eagle, pileated wood- to meet fisheries needs
. Forestwide Standards and Guidelines LTBMU Forest Plan
Standards and
Determine with the TRPA and State fish and wildlife agencies Assure fish movement past dams and other structures on the streams that will be maintained as excellent habltat and where such would be feasible and cost effective those that will be maintained in good Schedule res toration to improve streams that are below the desired habitat condition Secure water rights for dam constructionand operation
Removal of debris from streams to stabilize the channel will be planned to obtain maximum improvement for fish 18- Protection and Enhancement of habitat Threatened and Sensitive Plant Habitat
Maintain stream channel entrances to Lake Tahoe and Fallen Practice Description Leaf Lake to allow unobstructed access of fish to upstream spawning sites Activities or improvements designed to protect or enhance the habitat of plant species formally classified by the Department of Interioror State government threatened. endangered, rare, or sensitive The primary purpose is to assure that existing habitat Maintain shaded bank conditions on rainbow trout streams by of these plants is adequately protected and that additional maintaining at least 50% of the stream bank site potential for habitat is provided to perpetuate the species Included pro herbaceous and shrub cover and at least 25% of the site tective fencing and cages. control of livestock, informing forest tential for tree cover Where natural tree cover is less than users, direct control of people access, rerouting of trails, and 80% of the potential should be retained Thirty five to 70% of the artificial propagation stream should be shaded from 00 AM to 400 PM
Practice Standards and Guidelines Manege lakeshore activities to keep disturbance from power boats at a low level in shallow water areas, especially prime Manage sensitive plants to ensure that species do not become lake spawning areas threatened or endangered because of Forest activities Prepare recovery plans for newly discovered populations
16- Structural Wildlife Habitat Improvement Permit no collection of plant species except when authorized by the Regional Forester Practice Manage uncommon plant communities to preserve their natural Improvementsplanned and installed to directly benefit specific characteristics, specifically Osgood Swamp, Grass Lake, and wildlife species The primary purpose is to replace for a species Cushion Plant Community significantfeatures of their habitat that have been diminished or altered Included are installation of nest structures. creation of from green trees, water impoundments. and Modify or exclude uses not compatible with survival of threatened or endangered species Practice Standards and Guidelines Require use of plant species native to the area or species Secure water rights for wildlife water impoundments and other approved for local use when revegetating disturbed sites and improvements landscaping improvements
Protect known populations of Rorippa subumbellata on beach es receiving high level of recreation use by fencing or other 17- Structural Fish Habitat Management means to exclude disturbance Artificially supplement natural propagation on natural habitat Details of management are found in LTBMU Interim Management Prescriptionsfor this spe Practice cies, 1982
Improvements planned and installed to directly benefit specific fish species The primary purpose is to replace for a species, Protect known populations of Lewisia pygmaea subsp significantfeatures of their habitat that have been diminished or longipetala. Corex paucifructus, Draba asterophora v altered Included are construction and operation of dams. chan ophora, and Draba asterophora v macrocarpa as detailed nel stabilization, fish ladders, and barriers to fish movement LTBMU Interim Management Prescriptions, 1981
Forestwide Standards and Guidelines - 28 LTBMU Forest Pian
RANGE Practice Standards and Guidelines:
Study pastures near the lakeshore. or in other areas where 19- Range Allotment Management meadow lands are serving as a last filtering system for sediment and nutrients carried by surface water, to determine special utilization standards or management practices should be ap Practice Description' plied
Activities required to manage the use of range allotments by a grazing permittee The primary purpose is to utilize available Do not permit pastures for individually owned private livestock forage for production of red meat without impairing other re- source values, especially water, and recreation Includ ed is analysis of forage and soil conditions, allotment planning and administration of grazing permits 21- Range Improvements
Practice Standards and Guidelines: Practice Description
Reserve sufficient forage for grazing by recreation livestock Structural and nonstructural improvements and their mainte (horses and mules) in allotments used by cattle and sheep The nance designed to increase forage, make forage areas acces amount to be reserved will be determined based upon es sible, provide water, and control livestock movement The pri timates of current and projected equestrian or packer use mary purpose is to increase the number of animals that can without impairment other resources Includes pre- scribed irrigation, fertilization.water developments, fencing, Limit grazing or modify the grazing management system on noxious plant control, type conversion, seeding. deteriorating ranges to assist
Administer existing grazing allotments to achieve proper use Practice Standards and Guidelines and compatability with other resource values Permanent fences constructed in significant foreground view areas (such corridors. recreation sites or urban Do not fill an allotment when non-use is taken by the permittee fringes) will be of rustic design Split rail or pole will be pref erable to wire on wood post Steel past and wire is generally unacceptable in high visibility areas, but when set back Consider the effects upon water quality, riparian areas, wildlife inconspicuously in heavily wooded areas and fish before permitting grazing on a vacant allotment
Construct fences to prevent livestock from entering recreation and urbanized areas, highway corridors, areas of steep or oth 20- Range Pasture Management erwise sensitive soils, and where other resource values could be damaged Practice Description.
Activities required to manage the use of pastures by a grazing Consider snow conditions when designing type and stoutness permittee The primary purpose is to utilize a fenced enclosure, Of fence or other type of confined aree, and the available forage therein. for Iivestook, usually pack and saddle horses and mules In cluded is analysis of forage and so11 conditions, planning, and Obtain water rights for impoundments and other water improve administration of permits ments used for livestock
- 29 Forestwide Standards and Guidelines LTBMU Forest Pian
Close temporary roads, or access ways created through public or commercial timber management activities. to prevent vehicle travel as soon as practical andlor upon completion of the use
22-Timber Management - General IncorporateBest Management into the construction of landings or other temporary improvements for logging that in Practice Description: volve earth moving, to help drain, stabilize and revegetate upon completion of logging activities Includes the timber management practices listed below (practices22 through 28) Selection of any particular method for pest treatment will be made at the project level based upon a site-specific analysis of Practice Standards and Guidelines. the relative effectiveness, the environmental effects. and the cost of the feasible alternatives Use a full range of timber management practices including openings up to 5 acres, to maintain or enhance the multiple use values that have been identified in this plan See Appendix D for additional discussion of silvicultural systems Review land 23- Regeneration Harvest (Selection and suitability for timber production at least every 15 years Group Selection Cutting)
Planning for where. when and how timber will be cut will be Practice Description on a watershed by watershed basis in such a man ner as to insure optimum benefitsfor vegetative wild- The annual or periodic removal of trees. individually or in small life habitat, visual quality, recreation and water- groups, when the objective includes establishment of new shed protection Introduction forest openings shall be based stand Regeneration cutting, improvement cutting. end tending on an inventory of early successional stage needs (see practice of immature stand components are accomplished at each entry The primary purpose is to maintain or produce a continuous forest canopy having intermingledtrees of varying age and classes, preferably in more than one species Although nor Utilize as much of a harvestedtree as possible to keep residue mally applied to uneven-aged stands, in the Tahoe Basin the treatment to a minimum principle may be applied to even-aged stands where there is a desire to maintain a pleasing forground visual screen. to pre- pare an area for potential use as a developed or otherwise Tractors may normally operate on slopes up to 30% Cable and heavily used recreation site, or to maintain tree cover within a aerial systems shall normally be used on slopes greater than developed recreation site Group selection with openings typ 30% ically from one to two acres will be applied where inventories indicate the need for regeneration within forest openings to meet vegetative diversity or wildlife goals Prohibit tractors in except where a firm, protective base of compacted snow or present or where crossings exist that are designed to prevent adverse impact Practice Standards and Guidelines:
Avoid commercial log hauling on weekends and holidays Allow this practice to be applied on land capability classes 3,4, 5, and 7 that are accessed or can be efficientlv accessed the future Treat conifer stumps with borax within four hours of cutting to reduce the spread developed recreation sites, administrative sites, and other high use areas where Do not allow openings created by timber harvesting to exceed losses to this disease threaten the special value of the site five acres An opening is createdwhen most of the vegetation is removed from an area larger than one acre Naturally occurring areas of permanent low growth vegetation or barrens are not Provide firewood users with information that assists in achieve considered openings ment of TRPA visibility standard through particulate control Included would be use of Best Available Control Technology (BACT) such as preparation of firewood for burning, use of high Regeneration openings will no longer exist when the average efficiency stoves. control of combustion. and information on tree reaches 4 feet in height and the number of trees free to special devices that can be attached to woodburning appli grow exceeds per acre in red and white fir forest and 150 ances per acre mixed conifer forest
Forestwide Standards and Guidelines - 30 LTBMU Forest Plan
Disperse openings throughout the forest setting Preferably, Practice Standards and Guidelines openings will not be adjoining Where this is not practical, openings may have up to 15% contact on their periphery This practice may be applied on all land capability classes, including stream environment zones, following analysis and documentation in an environmental assessment that demon Allow the use of harvest techniques to maintain old growth strates the project is necessary to meet resource objectivesand conditions for dependent wildlife except during the nesting that the proposed treatment methods provide adequate re- riod or other critical Deriods source protection
24- Sanitatlon Salvage Cut 26- Thlnning
Practice Description Practice Description:
Removal of dead, dying. or highly susceptible The harvest of or unwanted trees in an immature stand trees where insects or disease have been active or where fire, This cutting reduces the stand to recommended stocking levels or past logging practices has caused damage The pri The primary purposes are to maintain optimum growing con mary purposes are to prevent further losses. preserve visual ditions to assure healthy trees and to reduce the potential for quality, maintain safe conditions for recreation use, and main rapid and intensive wildfire spread due to excessive fuel load tain vigorous stands Timing is important slowing the spread ing of infestation and in maintaining economic efficiency by sal vaging the value of the woad before it deteriorates Pracbce Standards and Guidelines.
Practice Standards and Guidelines. Allow this practice to be applied on land capability classes 3,4, 5, 6, and 7 that are accessed, or can be efficiently accessed in Allow this practice to be applied on all land capability classes the future, where the cut trees can be harvested for consump including stream environmentzones, that are accessed tive purposes
25- Special Cut 27- limber Stand Improvement
Practice Description: Practice Description
The cutting of trees in locations where normal harvestingmeth Release, weeding, precommercial thinning, pruning. fertiliza ods would not meet resource objectives or constraints The tion, and other investment type treatments The primary pur primary purpose may fall into one of several categories Cutting pose is to improve the composition. constitution,condition. and without removal for consumption may be necessary in some growth of atimber standto meet resource the situations area
a) Maintenance of healthy stand conditions within a rec reation or administrative site Special emphasis will be Practice Standards and Guidelines. placed upon pest management and removal of mechanically dangerous trees Aesthetic values will al Allow this practice to be applied on land capability classes 3,4, so be a large consideration Cut trees may be utilized 5, 6, and 7 that are accessed, or can be efficiently accessed in on site far firewood, traffic barriers or other purposes, the future, except within developed recreation sites or removed for consumption 28- Removal of trees to provide ski prevent meadow Reforestation encroachments. provide vista openings, or increase wildlife forage After trees are removed, low growing Practice Description: ground cover may be favored on the site rather than reforestation All activities aiding the reestablishmentof trees an forest land The primary purpose is to assure that tree cover is perpetuated c) Prevention of catastrophic losses of trees on lands for its multiple values Included is the preparationof the ground where conventional logging techniques may result in surface prior to natural seed fall. artificial seeding or planting. unacceptable sediment yield, permanent soil damage, fertilizing and protection of the young plants until well estab or accelerated runoff Harvesting, if it is to occur, would lished In heavily impacted recreation use areas special tending likely require aerial techniques techniques may be necessary
- 31 Forestwide Standards and Guidelines LTBMU Forest Plan
- -~ =-
~~ preparationbefore reforestationwill disturb only enough of ~ -~~ Practice Standards and Guidelines: the ground cover (grasses. forbs. shrubs and io provide a -
--~~~~~~ planting bed On harvest areas, disturbance from the logging ~
operation should provide adequate ground preparation ~~---~ Reforest except where lypeconversion has = preparation may be planned if determined necessary - ~ been determined appropriate in project level planning ~ following site specific analysis -
Forestwide Standards and Guidelines - 32 LTBMU Forest Plan
WATER include installation of check dams, settling basins. infiltration devices, water spreading devices, water channelization duits, riprap, retaining walls, straw and mat spreading and the planting of grass, shrubs. or trees 29- Water Use Management Practice Standards and Guidelines: Practice Description the land capability system as described in Land Administrationof water uses by the Forest Service The primary Classification of the Lake Tahoe Basin. A purpose is to assure availability of an adequate supply of water Planning Guide, Bailey, 1974, as a guide for and plan for consumptive and nonconsumptiveuses ning the and intensity of management activities Practice Standards and Guidelines Ensure that permanent land disturbance and impervious sur Arrange for and secure water rights for existing and foreseeable face coverage does not exceed that recommended by the land future Forest Service consumptive uses. including administra capability system Consider disturbance that partially andlor tive, recreation, agriculture, erosion control, irrigation. and temporarily impairs the ability of soil to resist erosion and ab evaporative losses sorb, utilize and store nutrients as recoverable and not subject to the same limits as impervious coverage
Obtain water assurances for existing and foresee- able future nonoonsumptive uses, including minimum instream Implement Best Management Practices (BMP) to meet water flows and reservoir level maintenance for fish, wildlife. boating, quality objectives and maintain and improve the quality of sur swimming, and aesthetics face water the forest Methods and techniques for applying the BMP will be identified during project level environmental assessments and incorporated into the associated project plan Prevent loss of groundwater quality and quantity. and where and implementationdocuments (See Appendix H) possible, through the development of a groundwater manage ment plan in cooperation with other agencies Where ground- water is found to be degrading, initiate measures to determine Prohibit soil disturbing activities from October 15 to May 1 of causes, effects and mitigation measures each year Waivers will be granted individually Assure that permanent or temporary erosion control measures are in place for the winter season Conduct a geologic and geotechnical analysis of all ground- water development projects which may adversely impact the groundwater table Manage existing naturally functioning stream environment zones lands in their natural hydrologic condition with few exceptions Work towards connecting domestic water supply systems at developed recreation and administrative sites to commercial water systems, if quality, volume, and cost of operation Identification and mapping of stream environment none improve existing conditions will be through the determination of
Wetlands, meadows, and other areas of riparian veg Implement water conservation measures at developed recre a) etation. ation and administrative
b) One hundred year flood plain. Use plants which do not require long term irrigation in order to water in revegetationprojects c) Ephemeral stream courses and soil areas associated with high runoff or high water tables,
Water Quality Maintenance and Improve Area within 25 feet of first order stream. feet of 30- second order stream, and 100 feet of third order ment stream
Practice Description Permit outdoor recreation facilities in and on land ca Activities designed to preventwater quality degradation and the pability classes and 2 where they are a part of long range installation and maintenance of structures and vegetation to development plans, where the nature of the activity must be so remedy impaired water quality The primary purpose is to as- sited, where there is no feasible alternative. where it is fully sure that activities on national forest land do not exceed en mitigated, and where disturbed SEZ beyond allowed coverage vironmental standards and to restore damaged is restored at 150% of the amount disturbed
- 33 Forestwide Standards and Guidelines LTBMU Forest Plan
The closure of roads and trails to use Closures may public works projects (roads. trails. etc) in SEZ be accomplished by blocking access with gates. fences. water and on land classes and 2 where necessary for bars, logs. rock, or other material. by signing. or by partial safety or environmental protection. where there obliteration The primary purpose to eliminate water quality reasonable where the impacts are fully degradationand other environmental problems associated with and where disturbed SEZ beyond allowed coverage is restored continued motorized use of nonessential roads at of the amount disturbed
replacement of existing land coverage in SEZ where the Practice Standards and Guidelines project will reduce impacts on and will not impede res toration efforts Use temporary road closures where necessary protect water quality until the road reconstructedto suitable standard Ensure that temporary erosion control measures will be place prior to commencing any soil disturbing activities Employ seasonal closureto restrictvehicletravel when the road Do not allow solid and liquidwastes to be discharged on or in surface can be damaged or water quality may be adversely the soil or water, with the exception of vegetative debris from effected Specific information concerning closure of roads by forest management practices, clean earth and rock disposed of gates contained the LTBMU Gate Management Plan, July in approved locations. and wastes for which special waivers and IS periodically amended Location of the gate. period have been granted by state water quality protection agencies of closure. type of lock, and authorization for entry are con tained the Permit no effluent disposal areas or dumps on national forest land 32- Water Flow Timing Maintain emergency caches for hazardous material cleanup in cooperation with other agencies Practice
Ensure that vegetation and soil remain undisturbed in the un Measures will be taken to regulate the runoff of water to stable area of the shorezone, except as necessary for public prove the timing of flow The primary purpose to delay peak safety or to provide for uses that by their nature require location runoff following storms to prevent channel degradation and to within the shorezone unstable area of the shorezone is improvethe timing of flow for other purposes such as fisheries. where andlor wave action processes have their greatest wildlife, and recreation enhancement Included are large and influence The area may vary considerably in width) smell water impoundments Also, structures and vegetative ma nipulation designed to retain snow and raise ground water Manage the use of chemical and biological materials used to levels aid in snowmaking so as not to degrade either surface or groundwater Practice Standards and Guidelines
Restore damaged watersheds and sttes contributing to water Coordinate with California Of and Game the quality degradation Schedule restoration of land identdied in operation and maintenance of small water regulating dams in- the watershed improvement needs inventory to be completed stalled to maintain stream flows for fish within 20 The for restoration will be stream environmentzones. shorezones, and 3) high hazard land 33- Water Yield Improvement Attain an overall 5% increase in the acreage of naturally func tioning SEZ land in the basin by restoring disturbed SEZ land Practice Description.
Use fertilizer only where necessary to establish vegetation Actions taken to increase the total yield of water from the na with restoration of disturbed areas and to maintain tional forest The primary purpose to provide greater volume existing turf Utilize the TRPA guidlines for fertilizer use of water for downstream uses are usually aimed at reducing evaporation of water from lakes and snow surfaces, reductionof the Interception and evaporation of snow from tree Assist special use the planning and design of Best branches. and the reduction of transpiration Management Practices to to the area of their use to meet water quality standards Practice Standards and Guidelines.
31- Road or Trail Closures Permit weather modification to increase precipitation unless it shown that the modification will produce permanent substantial changes the land use or significant adverse environmental Practice Description: effects
ForestwideStandards and Guidelines - 34 LTBMU Forest Plan
MINERALS AND LANDS structures where needed to protect the from surface ero sion Reestablish nativevegetation Require the rehabilitationto be accomplished by the claimant, or the permittee 34- Minerals Management
Practice Description: Land and Resource Management Planning Administration of plans of operations, leases, and permits for locatable, leasable and common variety minerals The primary Practice Description: purpose is to assure that mineral exploration and extractionare in accordance with appropriate laws and that other resources and values and environmentalthresholds are adequately con Inventories, data management, interdisciplinary anal sidered in planning an operation ysis, public involvement, and documentation necessary to make long term decisions about policy, land use, programs and scheduling of and servicesto be produced The Practice Standards and Guidelines: purpose is to assure systematic. consistent administration and management of all activities and to assure sustained of Approve locatable mineral operations under a plan of oper renewable resources. Included is the providing of information ations which assures that water quality and other environmental for the National RPA assessment and program, and special factors can be maintained or enhanoed Consider on a site basis through NEPA procedures studies for areas such as Research Natural Areas
Authorize extraction of leasable minerals through lease doc Practice Standards and Guidelines uments only where water quality and other environmentalfac tors can be maintainedor enhanced Consider on a site specific Augment the Interior Department's National Natural Landmark basis through NEPA procedures program (administered by the Park Service) by
Approve no extraction of common minerals on currently a) cooperating in the evaluation of the entire Lake Tahoe undevelopedsites Extractionmay be authorized an sites where area as a Priority rated candidate for status the material had been previously removed, provided that the river and lakes major theme, plan for removal demonstrates partial or full rehabilitationof the site, and that water quality and other environmentalfactors will be maintained or enhanced throughout the extraction pro b) considering Grass Lake Moss Bog for status if it does cess not become a part of the Research Natural Area sys tem,
Stockpiling of rock, soil and other earthen material, removed considering the addition of national forest land to the from grading operations, may be approved Measures will be Emerald Bay State Park registered area, employed that prevent stockpiled material from being washed stream channels or adding nutrients to, or ad versely effecting, groundwater Preferred locations for stock- considering the inclusion of Osgood Bog and the Freel piling will be on sites where the material could be used in Peak Cushion Plant Community into the system if not reused elsewhere
Direct the Special Interest Area program by Insure that mineral operators meet appropriate laws and reg (36 CFR 228 and 293 14) that apply Work with the a) managing the Tallac Historic Site as a SIA, state, regional and local governments in the development and review of of Operation' b) evaluating Emerald Bay, Osgood Bog, Freel Peak Cushion Plant Community, and Taylor Creek Wetlands Prior to authorizing operations within withdrawn areas, valid during this planning period for inclusion into the sys existing rights will be verified Valid existing rights will be rec tem, ognized, but the integrity for which the area was set aside will be maintained Grass Lake Moss Bog. Hell Hole, Floating Island Lake, Pope and Baldwin Marshes. Cave Rock, Rehabilitate land that has been disturbed by mining activity Glacial Moraine Deposits, and Ward and Blackwood Reshape the landscape to attain relatively natural contours us Canyons and managing them to protect their special ing on site, and, where necessary, imported material Install features for possible future evaluations,
- 35 Forestwide Standards and Guidelines LTBMU Forest Plan
identifying new areas having promise for inclusion Echo Summit ~ Intermittent 6 Summit Intermittent 7 Spooner Summit (Toiyabe Not determined Plan recreation development with the states of Nevada and 8 Snow Valley Peak (Toiyabe) Not determined California with the following goals 9 Mt Rose (Toiyabe) Continuous 10 Ward Peak (Tahoe NF) , Continuous& Intermittent a) of development, Nebelhorn (Eldorado Not determined 12 Slide Mountain (Toiyabe Continuous Intermittent Comparable fees,
Consistencyof rules with which the public must comply Consider applications for electronic facilities and antenna sites (Laws governing national forest lands are different than different than the above sites on a case by case basis the state laws governing the state parks and therefore exact uniformity is not possible) Direct applicants for major right-of-way to estab lished corridors such as Interstate 80 as the preferred location To tho cxtent feasible. data should be assembled and mea sured in a manner comparable wAh that used by the TRPA Obligate the minimum amount of land for a period no greater than needed to exercise the privileges granted Improvements will be designed to utilize a minimum of land coverage 36- Special Land Use
Practice Description Locate types of transmission lines outside of view areas where possible and require joint use of existing rights-of-way unlessthe proponent can clearly show use is not practical The administration of facilities or activities that are authorized occupancy or use of national forest land for e variety of pur poses Included are rights-of-way for public and private roads, utility services, electronic communications, filming of movies, Install power distribution lines up to underground in ex weddings, etc. The primary purpose is to assure that proposed isting or new roadway prisms unless the proponent can clearly uses are appropriate and compatibility with other resource uses show that this is not practical or another method of installation and values the national forest before they are authorized would cause less long term environmentaldamage Also. that appropriate terms are applied and that a minimum of land area is used Once authorized. the primary purpose is to assure compliance with the terms ofthe Insure that existing above ground utilities will normally be that fair market value fees are determined and charged, and dergrounded by established in the R-5 Underground. that the use IS terminated and land restored when no longer ing Master Plan needed or appropriate
Coordinate the review of applications for power with Practice Standards and Guidelines FERC, TRPA. and other agencies Process applicationsfor uses associated with a license through special use procedures Consider new land use proposals on the of each case Applicants must demonstrate that private land is not available. Represent permittees in deliberations with the TRPA for project capable, or suitable Proponents will normally be expected to review Exceptions to this rule include, but are not confined to, do their own environmental analysis and submit the documen cases where the project partially on non-nationalforest land tation in an environmental assessment or impact statement ceptable to the Forest Supervisor (Utilitles necessaryto provide adequate, reliable for the urban development approved Require a permit applicant to obtain permissionto cross private in the TRPA Regional Plan will be considered as essential land where a public right of way does not exist public services)
Direct applicants for permanent new electronic facilities and antenna sites to the following approved electronic pri 37- Withdrawals vate land is determined not to be available Practice Description, Name of Site . Compatibility East Peak Intermittent Petitions, recommendations. and reports by or 2 Freel Peak Intermittent FERC necessaly to withdraw land from mineral entry under 3 Angels Roost Intermittent 1872 Mining Law, Mineral Leasing Laws, or other forms of entry 4 Tahoe Mountain Continuous Also the periodic review of withdrawals to determine continued
Forestwide Standards and Guidelines - 36 -
LTBMU Forest Plan
need The primary purpose IS to protect sensitive or valuable Practice Standards and Guidelines: resources, such as threatened, endangered, or sensitive plant and wildlife species, reoreation improvements, administrative Maintain corner and boundary markers improvements, and resource sites that cannot be pro tected by other administrativemeans Maintain land title and survey records
Practice Standards and Guidelines. Priority for the location and marking of property lines is
In compliance with PL (Section review all existing 1 Support current resource management programs, withdrawals in with the Secretary of Interior to de termine the need and validity for continuation. Recommend 2 Prevent claims against the Federal government, revocationof those no longer needed Complete the review by October 21. 1991 3 resolution of unauthorized occupancy and use,
Initiate withdrawals from mineral and other forms of entry for 4 Prevent future unauthorized occupancy and use, administrativesites, developed public recreationareas, special interest areas, national natural landmarks. wetlands, and areas 5 Identify lands in national forest ownership for public highlyvalued for use by the public recreation use,
6 Assure efficiency in administration and management
38- 40- Cooperative Technical Assistance Practice Description: Practice Acquisition of easements for public access across privately owned land Includes road, trail, and utility rights-of-way The All the activities in support of the community and agencies primary purpose is to assure people of access to nationalforest (local, state, regional, and federal) wildland resource man lands for a multitude of purposes agement Such activities result from the complex interaction of the wildland resources with the urbanization of the area and with the protection of Lake Tahoe Teohnical expertise is par ticularly demanding in wildlife, watershed, pest management. Standards and timber: wildland fire. smoke, scenic, and outdoor management Acquire rights-of-wayfor roads, trails, or where those of State, county, municipal. or special service jurisdictions are inadeauatefor Forest Service use Practice Standards and Guidelines, e Serve as of the Advisory Planning Commission of the Obtain full public access except in the few instances where Tahoe Regional Planning Agency administrativeaccess will be sufficient
Serve on all technical reviewteams involving wildland resource management in the basin 39- Property Boundary Location
Practice Description: 41- Landownership Adjustment LWCF and Other Authority All activities necessaly to identify the boundaries of national forest land Included IS the searchfor corners, surveying, Practice Description and marking of land lines and the maintenance of the same The primary purpose is to assure that Forest Service activities The acquisition of land for inclusion in the national forest sys do not intrude upon non-Federal land and that trespass upon tem through purchase. donation, or exchange and the disposal the national forest can be prevented and controlled Marking of land or transfer The primaly purpose is to and posting boundaries identrfies or locates nationalforest land acquire land that will enhance public recreation opportunities for public use and enjoyment and obtain an optimum land base for resource management
- 37 Forestwide Standards and Guidelines LTBMU Forest Plan
42- Land Acquisition Act PL Practice Standards and Guidelines:
Expand national forest land ownership in basin through purchase. donation exchange in order to achieve the Practice Description: balance of long term public benefitssought inthis plan and that of the TRPA Regional Plan The acquisition of land, or in the land, eligible under the authority of the act The purpose of these acqui Priority for acquisition will be as follows sitions is the protection of environmentalquality. especially the quality of water in Lake Tahoe Lands acquired under the Lands with lake and stream frontage for publio access Act are included in the National Forest System and and use generally enhance publio recreational opportunitieson the For est b Lands suitable for campground, picnic and other rec reational development or which enhance lands with similar values Practice Standards and Guidelines
c Lands, the development of which is imminent, which Acquire tracts of land that are eligible becauseof would adversely affect national forest lands or other public values sensitivity These lands are stream environment zone. land class 2 and 3, unimproved man modified land d Lands which will improve national forest management causing unacceptably high rates of sedimentation, and by consolidating public ownership shorezone classes and 3 For details, reference the 63 Land Acquisition Program maps e Lands in the backcountry and in shoreline areas needed to protect scenic, wildlife habitat, and water- shed values Coordinatethe Forest Service acquisition programwith the sim ilar programs in California and Nevada so as not to effort purchase will made to any willing seller Allow nationalforest land in the basin to be exchangedfor other lands that higher public use In such exhanges, arence will be given to other public agencies which devote land to public use transfersto state or local jurisdiction on a case-by-case basis until criteria are developed The Act authorizesthe Forest Service to transfer parcels to units of state and local Insure that recreationcapacity acquired through acquisnionwill where such parcels are found for national be an increase to the national forest 'fair share' forest administration
Forestwide Standards and Guidelines IV - LTBMU Forest Plan
SOILS Maintain protective groundcover (duff, or slash) or veg etative cover to minimize soil erosion Areas in which the soil resource is continuously impacted by recreation use will be 43- SOIL RESOURCE considered an ongoing priority
Practice Description: Minimize soil displacementwhen grading slopes or when piling brush or slash All activities shall be designed to maintain andlor improve long-term soil Long-term soil tained when soil porosity, soil organic matter, and soil depth are not significantly reduced. Soil Improved by Where past management activities have reduced soil the addition of amendments, by spreading displaced topsoil, or tiviiy, improve soil productivity by respreading displaced top by tillage The practice applies to all land where management soil. by using tillage to increase by increasing nutrient activities have the potentialto reduce soil productiviiy, or where supplies through the addition of fertilizer (utilizing the TRPA past management have reduced soil productivity guidelines for fertilizer use), or by increasing nutrient holding capacity through the addition of organic matter
Practice Standards and Guidelines. Where soils are susceptable to compaction and puddling, min Maintain surface duff, and adequate coarse woody debris imize the area covered by heavy equipment or operate when to maintain organic matter and recycle soils are least susceptable to damage
- 39 Forestwide Standards and Guidelines LTBMU Forest Plan
Share construction and reconstructioncosts on roads serving both special use sites and general public use sites or areas on FACILITIES a basis proportionate to use.
Road and Roads that are managed to provide OHV opportunities will be reconstructed to provide a challenging experience for tionists while providing resource protection In some cases Practice Description roads presently passable to passenger cars will be be recon structedso they are passable only to fourwheeled drive or high Plan and construct permanent roads necessary to access the clearance vehicles resources of the forest The primary purpose is to provide roads to support the resource management goals of the forest plan in an economically efficient manner Includes local, collector and arterial roads, roads within a developed recreation or admin 45- Temporary Road Construction istrativesites, and bridges Practice Description:
Practice Standards and Gurdelrnes: The constructionof a road for one time use and the subsequent closing and obliteration after use The primary purpose is to Prohibit road building in areas of high mass soil instability. provide minimum access necessaryfor the task. Areas of moderate instabilitywill be engineered tc protect water quality and scenic value specific geotechnical analysis will be used to provide recommendationsfor road building Practrce Standards and Gurdelrnes:
Constructtemporary roads when there is only a one-time need parking facilities with a road system at wilderness and for a transportation facility Obliterate the road and return to other trallheads, viewpoints, special attractions, and recreation resource production within one year of the use when the sites one-time need is fulfilled
Limit constructionto slopes of less than 30% except for short Locate and design temporary roads with the least amount of cut segments where necessary to bridge steep terrain within oth and fill, and the fewest stream or water channel crossings, so erwise moderately sloped areas Allow reconstruction of roads that the land can be restored with no permanent impact on slopes exceeding 30% where BMP are fully utilized to mit igate impacts 46- Road Maintenance
Give priority for forest system road reconstructionthe following Practrce Descrrptron order' Care required to protect the road investment The primary pur 1 Public safety. elimination of known hazards pose to assure that roads remain serviceable at the planned maintenance level for access to forest resources Includes re- 2 Correction of water quality problems moving obstacles, restoring driving surface, maintaining drain- age, repairing bridges and culverts, and maintaining direction a Reduce or eliminate impacts in stream environment al, regulatory and other signs zones b Installationof drainage c Stabilize road surface. ditches, cuts and fills Practrce Standards and Gurdelrnes: Give priority for maintenancethe following order 3 Protect road investment 1 Public safety - elimination of known hazards 4 Produce planned outputs 2 Correction of water quality problems 5 Improve quality of recreationand administrative a Reduce or eliminate impacts in stream environment Expand recreation zones b Installationof drainage c Stabilize road surface, ditches, cuts and fills Stabilize soils along the existing transportation system, ate and stabilize unneeded roads 3 Protect road investment
Forestwide Standards and Guidelines - 40 LTBMU Forest Plan
4 Produce planned outputs sidered Though existing roads and trails may be designated for OHV use, no new OHV routes will be constructed Zone 4 5 Improve quality of recreation and administrativeservices presently provides OHV opportunities and may have the po tential for constructing major OHV systems after study In this 6 Expand recreationservice zone. trail relocation and construction will have highest priority to be considered as part of system planning during the first decade In zones 3 and 4, many routes presently being used Stabilize cut and fill slopes, protect drainage structures and will be closed and revegetated where unacceptable social or drainage ways, provide sediment trapping devises, install in- environmental affects are occuring and cannot be mitigated filtration trenches The Summer OHV Management Map will be updated when completed transportation system planning results in changes management strategy Obilterate and stabilize unneeded roads
Share maintenance costs on roads serving both special use Determine priorities and establish a schedule to rehabilitate sites and general public use sites and areas on a basis pro system trails to include water quality standards applicable the portionate to use Develop agreements with individual permit- basin The standard requires more cross-drains and protective tees, or associations of permittees, to performthe maintenance surfacing than would be typical on system trails required
OHV trails will be designed and managed to ensure that trails Trail Construction and Reconstruction will not exceed 48' in design width to only accomodate ATV, quad or smaller sized OHVs OHV trails will be designated away Practice Description from urban areas and away from foot trails whenever possible to avoid conflicts with residents OHV trails shall be signed to a Planning and building of permanent trails for pedestrian. bi level that clearly the route as designated throughout cycle, horse or motorcycle use The purpose to pro- length Unauthorizedtrails that feed into existing designated vide trails to support the goals (primarily recreation) for the area routes will be identified and closed to OHV use in an economically efficient manner
OHV trails will be designed when appropriate and environ Practice Standards and Guidelines mentally feasible, to form to enhance user enjoyment Access to trail systems shall through designated All trails receiving significant use will be managed as part of the trailheads with opportunities for limited parking where appro trail system according to the Trails Management Handbook, or priate OHV trail systems will require bridges or similar struc closed and rehabilitated Trails not meeting construction ~ tures when designated over streams Fencing and similar bar dards will be reconstructed Special use permitlees will be riers will be Constructed as appropriate to minimize random ~ lowed to use only system trails Where construction or recon access to the OHV trail system struction of trails required for uses under permit, permittee will bear cost of required work
OHV trails will be monitored for resource impacts. especially Increase the trail system outside of wilderness for recreation concerning soil and water quality Trails will be closed user use impacts create resource impacts that cannot be mitigated
Construct the Rim Trail to encircle the Lake Tahoe Basin Trails constructed through unstable terrain will utilize geologic proximately on the hydrographic boundary as described in con evaluation and geotechnical design to minimize potential im cept within a Decision Notice and dated July The trail pacts and primary feeders be all-purpose design class Con struction and maintenancewill be through the Tahoe Rim Trail Association. a volunteer group 48- Trail Maintenance
The Summer Off Highway Vehicle Management Map shall pro- Practice Description. vide general guidance on where and in what priority OHV routes will be studied for construction Zones and 2 will normally provide no summer OHV opportunities and no new Care required to protect trails The goal is to assure that the routes will be considered Zone 3 presently provides OHV op trails remain at the planned standard Includes re- portunities and the constructionof short segments designed to moving obstacles, restoring tread, maintaining drainage struc enhance existing routes by the creation of loops will be con tures, and upkeep or replacement of directional signs
- 41 Forestwide Standards and Guidelines LTBMU Forest Plan
49- Facility Construction and Reconstruction Practrce Standards and Guidelines: Practrce Descrrptron: Use the LTBMU Trail Management Plan, Nov 25, 1980, as a guide for short and long range direction for maintenance of Planning and building of fire, administrative and other mul trails tifunctional improvements other than roads and trails The pri mary purpose is to provide facilities to support achievement of the goals for the unit Included are buildings and dams and Define each system trail by design class (All-purpose, Principal utility systems (water supply, sewage collection and treatment, Wilderness. Primitive Hiker-Horse, Primitive Hiker, or Special and solid waste disposal, electricity. radio) Purpose) and assign a maintenance level from 1 to Existing trails not presently in the system will be evaluated individually to determine appropriateness of inclusion Existing non-system Practrce Standards and trails determined to not meet standards for inclusion in the Comply with state energy efficiency standards, install TRPA system shall be closed and rehabilitated to prevent resource approved woodburning stoves and other appliances, and en- degradation courage the use of solar energy opportunities
Manage the Grade Trail and the Pope-Baldwin Bicycle Confine developments to land capability classes except Trail as National RecreationTrails where the nature of the improvement requires development environmentally sensitive areas (class 2 and 3 and Manage the Pacific Crest Trail as described in the Crest Trail MaintenancePlan, LTBMU and Eldorado National Forest. Locate, design and maintain structures, signs, and lighting to September 1981 harmonize with surrounding natural features or to enhance the characteristics of the environment where such is OHV system trails will be managed in accordance with stan dominant dards and guidelines as found in FSH 7709 Trails Handbook OHV trails must be carefully maintained to ensure that signing 50- Facility Operation and Maintenance is well maintainedthroughout the system Vandalized or weath ered will be replaced as a priority maintenance element Practice whenever they are discovered During maintenance inspections unauthorized OHV trail routes will be should they Care required to protect the investment in other than develop, and will be closed appropriate Emphasis will be roads and trails Also the costs requiredto operatethe facilities placed on limiting average OHV trail width to Reverse Included are buildings and dams and utilitiesto serve them grading will be encouraged over the installation of waterbars on trail systems to divert water runoff Logs of sufficient di Practrce Standards and ameter to form a 'backstop' will be used to stabilize deep banking turns on routes Areas where the tread has been Utilize appropriate BMP to provide soil stability, runoff infil displaced by OHV activity will be stabilized where appropriate tration. and revegetation using cinder blocks or similar tread stabilizing materials Routes will be re-routed as appropriate to change grade or slope where Retrofit facilities to comply with State energy efficiency stan OHV is creating adverse resource impacts dards where feasible. install TRPA approved woodburning stoves and other appliances when existing units are replaced. Trails that are developed and used primarily by special and encourage the use of solar energy permitleeswill be maintainedto Forest Servicestandards by the permitlees Where special use and the general pub. Retrofit all administrative sites to incorporate when Iic share the use of trails, expense of malntalnance will be or reconstructionoccurs, or by the year 2000, which- shared propoltionate to use ever occurs first
Forestwide Standards and Guidelines - 42 LTBMU Forest Pian
The wildfire response strategy for high elevation alpine areas PROTECTION exhibiting fuels and natural barriers is of all fires at all FIL with a maximum size ob jective of 25 acres
51- Fire Prevention Fire intensity, fire spread potential, the probability of adverse Practice Description. resource effects and quality considerations will dictate the maximum wildfire size and response strategy on forested lands outside urbanized areas and on high elevation alpine areas Actions taken to reduce the number of people caused wildfires The primary purpose to reduce the property and resource from fire occurrences on the national forest and ad- joining land and the risk of fire to the health and safety of Use all types of firefighting equipment in emergencies when people Included are fire cause determination, reduction of fire there threat to human and property or where the resource risk and hazard, public information and education. adminis value saved is clearly greater than the damage done through its tration of contracts, permits and agreement, and enforcement of use. In other than these conditions. disturbance to soil and laws and regulations stream environment zones and to visual quality, will be min imized
Practice Standards and Guidelines. Coordinatefire managementwith other and districts Manage vegetation and plan uses with full recognition of the need to provide reasonable protection from wildfire
Take prompt measures after forest fires to reduce adverse on water quality, scenic quality, recreation use, wildlife. Give priority to fireproofing and fuel reduction measures in and timber health developed recreation sites, areas of concentrated public use, areas adjacent to development, and areas of fuel concentrationthat exceed established standards Encourage all private development within the national forest to be in a fire protection district
52- Fire Detection and Suppression Respond to structural fires situations involving threat to property, or national forest resources when local suppression Practice Description forces are inadequate or non existent Otherwise structural fire suppression is the responsibility of local fire service agencies Action taken to detect and suppress people caused and nat urally caused wildfires The primary purpose is to limit the damage caused by wildfire in the most cost effective Follow federal, state, and air quality rules and regulations commensurate the threat to life, public safety. when burning buildings planned for Utilize BACT to and resource values Included is the operation of lookout tow assure that quality effects are kept to a low level ers, aircraft. helicopters. engines, retardent aircraft, ground crews. and other support personnel
53- Fuel Treatment Practice Standards and Guidelines:
The response strategy for areas within or adjacent to Practice Description urbanized areas with associated high values at risk is of all wildfires at Fire Intensity Level 1 with a maximum size Planning and implementation of those actions to treat objective of acre or less and at FIL control of all fires at 2 fuels caused by planned resource management or fuel acres or less that accumulated by natural processes The primary purpose to reduce the potential for and difficulty of suppressing dam- aging wildfires with the secondary benefit of enhancing visual The wildfire response strategy for areas of forested lands quality and wildlife habitat Activities included are rearranging outside of urbanized areas. but not including high elevation of slash by lapping and scattering. piling and slash. alpine areas, is "Containment' of fires at all with a max chipping slash with mechanical equipment. hauling slash to imum size objective of acres another area for disposal, and broadcast burning
- 43 Forestwide Standards and Guidelines LTBMU Forest Pian
Employee techniques for managing the generation of smoke Practice Standards and Guidelines. including achievement of complete combustionand proper tim ing for venting to highest elevation and dispersal from the Assist in maintaining the clear, clean air important to the basin enjoyment of the area and the health of the people through the regulation of open burning Design prescribed fire activities to avoid adverse affect on soil and water resources Flame height will not exceed two feet Adhere to Federal, State, regional and local guidelines regard within 50 feet of stream courses or on wetlands unless higher ing quality including the LTBMU Smoke Management Plan intensities are required to achieve specific objectives
Employ techniques for managing the generation of smoke in cluding achievement of complete combustion. and proper 55- Law Enforcement for venting to highest elevation and dispersal from the basin Fuels will normally not be burned for one summer sea- son after cutting to allow sufficient time for drying Practice Description:
required to prevent violation of laws and regulations Use nonburning techniques, such as lopping and scattering, Also the detection and investigationof suspected violations and whenever residual fuel loads will be acceptable, especially appropriate resolution of violations The primary purpose is to where the slash will help to protect the assure that use and occupancy of the national forest system in reasonable compliance with the established rules
Leave at least two slash piles per acre for wildlife cover Practice Standards and Guidelines
Treat activity fuels in the near view of high use travel corridors, Review and amend the LTBMU Law Enforcement Action Plan recreation sites, and urbanized areas Cleanup need not be annually through an interdisciplinary process Forest Super- 100% The debris, after year of or utilizationfor visors orders issued to provide specific restrictions beyond the campfires, should not appear dominant in the landscape Scat general provisions of the Code of Federal Regulations will be tering of fuels will be preferable, but unburned piles at a density reviewed annually of five per acre or less would normally be acceptable where a forest canopy remains
Slash will not normally be buried 56- Forest Pest Management
Practice Description Locate activity fuel burning beyond 50 feet of any stream chan nel or standing water Activities required to plan for and out pest managementto reduce prevent unacceptable resource damage and public health problems 54- Prescribed Practice Standards and Guidelines: Practice Description. Follow an Integrated Pest Management approach during Introduction of fire under controlled conditions. to control un the planning and Implementation of resource management ac wanted vegetation. stimulate the growth of vegetation. control tivities, particularly those influencing the vegetation Under this insects and pathogens, and maintain natural ecological suc IPM approach, a full range of pest management cession The primary purpose is to support vegetation and including cultural. biological, mechanical and chemical meth wildlife habitat management goals ods, will be considered and analyzed on a site-specific, project level basis The treatment will be selected through the environmental analysis process which will consider the en Practice Standards and Guidelines vironmental effects,treatment efficacy and cost effectiveness of each alternative Monitoring and enforcement plans to imple Do not use unplanned ignition prescribed fire ment specific measures will be determined during this site and process Pest detection, surveillance. evalua tion, prevention, suppression, and post-action evaluation are Adhere to Federal, Regional, State and local guidlines regard integral components of the integrated pest management ap ing air quality including the LTBMU Smoke Management Plan proach (36 CFR 219 27 (a) (3))
Forestwide Standards and Guidelines iv - 44 ~
LTBMU Forest Plan
inventory and analysis 57- Geologic Inventory and Evaluation, and Geotechnical lnvestigatlon Use the Geologic ResourceInventory. when completed, or oth er available geologic hazard and resource information for pre Practice Description liminary assessment of projects which impact unstable land or snow avalanche areas, disturb the land surface, or develop Secure a knowledge of properties, distribution, capabilities, and geologic resources Provide geologic and geotechnical eval limitations of geologic hazards and resources Use this infor uation of projects with a potential to initiate or accelerate land- mationfor on-site investigations The purpose is to prevent land slide or snow avalanche Avoid or provide special treatment on disturbing activities or utilization of geologic resources from unstable areas to avoid triggering mass movement posing a risk to human safety, loss of property, or adverse environmental effects Allow no land disturbing activities on highly unstable areas
Practice Standards and Avoid eaiihquake fault zones whenever possible when design Identify and priority to areas that need more detailed ge ing roads and other facilities ologic hazard information Complete the Forest Geologic Re- source Inventory, including landslide hazards and risk assess- earthquake and volcanic hazard assessment, snow Develop site-specific measures where potential slope hazard assessment, and special interest area instability is identified
- 45 Forestwide Standards and Guidelines Forest Plan
F. Management Prescriptions
A management prescription is defined in 36 CFR Section 219.3 as “management practices and intensities selected and scheduled for application on a specific area to attain multiple use and other goals and objectives.” The LTBMU interdisciplinary team developed and described 16 potential prescriptions that could be assigned to land areas in the basin to achieve a planned mix of multiple use objectives from that land. The management emphasis for some of the prescriptions fit some plan alternatives and not others. (This is described in Chapter 2 of the EIS.) For the forest plan, prescriptions were selected. A description of each prescription is provided in this section along with Table IV.3 that identifies how each practice relates to the prescription. It is essential that either a practice occur (noted as a ”Y” n the table) or not occur (noted as an “N“ in the table) to achieve the results intended by the prescription. Other practices may or may not occur in implementing the prescription. These practices (noted as a “C” in the table) will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis to determine if they will occur.
Prescription
Emphasis: Developed Recreation Construct, maintain and operate recreation facilities. Assure an attractive and usable forest setting within and surrounding existing sites. Manage vegetation to insure a healthy forest, to prevent and/or reduce pest-related damage, and to reduce numbers of mechanically defective trees. Manage potential recreation development sites so that they remain suitable until they are utilized for recreation improvements. Other activities may be allowed on the undeveloped sites or within existing developed sites where they do not conflict with the primary emphasis on developed recreation. The visual quality objective is Partial Retention when viewed as middleground and Modification or better when viewed as foreground. The preferred ROS setting is Rural or Roaded Natural.
Description These are the existing campgrounds, picnic areas, developed beaches, interpretive sites, recreation residence tracts, resorts, organization camps, marinas, etc.. whether operated by the Forest Service or concessionaires. It also includes sites reserved for future development.
Prescription
Emphasis: Alpine Skiing Administer special use permits for existing downhill skiing facilities on national forest land. Ensure that environmental standards are achieved. Expand skiing facilities as needed based upon approved master development plans. Other resources and activities may be allowed where they do not conflict with the primary emphasis on skiing. The visual quality objective is Partial Retention when viewed as middleground and Modification or better when viewed as foreground. The preferred ROS setting is Rural.
Management Direction IV-46 LTBMU Forest Plan
Description This prescription applies to the improvements at Heavenly Valley and Alpine Meadows Ski Areas. It also applies to sites identified for potential expansion of Alpine Park in Ward Valley, Northstar on Mt. Pluto, Ski Bowl on Ellis Peak, and Ski Incline.
Prescription
Emphasis: Unroaded Recreation Maintain a natural forest setting for dispersed recreation, wildlife habitat and watershed protection. Motorized access will normally not be allowed, except where authorized for winter use. Grazing may be allowed where compatible with the primary emphasis. Timber production is not allowed; however, vegetation management may occur to prevent catastrophic losses in the forest. The visual quality objective is Retention. The preferred ROS setting is Semi-primitive Non-Motorized.
Description This prescription applies to relatively large areas that are unroaded or where existing roads are closed to public use.
Prescription
Emphasis: Roaded Recreation Maintain opportunities for use of system roads and designated routes by off-highway vehicles. New routes will only be developed where resource concerns can be mitigated. Vegetation management practices may occur near roads. Roads will be upgraded with Best Management Practices to achieve water quality standards but will not be upgraded to levels that would accommodate sedan travel. Other resources and activities may occur where they do not conflict with the primary emphasis. The visual quality is Retention. The preferred ROS setting is Semi-primitive Motorized.
Description This prescription applies to areas not well-suited to resource management because of the high cost to provide road access or mitigate environmental impacts. Land adjacent to the road system and the Genoa Peak road are examples of where this prescription applies.
Prescription
Emphasis: Intensive Dispersed Recreation Accommodate large numbers of people engaged in dispersed recreation use on areas that are naturally attractive, such as fragile lakeshore or stream sides. Site improvements limited to those needed to maintain or achieve environmental standards. while leaving the users to have a relatively unconstrained recreation experience. For example, or portable toilets may be installed maintain sanitation rather than to provide for the
Management Direction LTBMU Forest Plan convenience and comfort of the users. Low levels of other resource management may occur where needed to maintain attractive conditions or where compatible with the primary emphasis. The visual quality objective is Partial Retention when viewed as middleground and Modification or better when viewed as foreground. The preferred ROS setting is Semi-Primitive Non-Motorized or Roaded Natural.
Description This prescription applies to areas on high hazard land that are popular for dispersed recreation. The Lower Truckee River corridor and the East Shore Beaches are examples of these areas. The environmental sensitivity and high recreational use make these areas unsuitable for timber production or development of large recreation facilities.
Prescription
Emphasis: Wilderness Management Maintain a lasting system of quality wilderness. Provide for public use. enjoyment, and appreciation and for scientific study of the unique characteristics of wilderness consistent with its values. Existing nonconforming uses may be continued where appropriate. Otherwise, only natural ecological changes will be allowed. The visual quality is Preservation. The preferred ROS setting is Primitive.
Description This prescription applies to Desolation and Granite Chief which were designated by Congress to be included in the Wilderness System.
Prescription
Emphasis: Sites Manage sites occupied by facilities needed for national forest administration and protection. Operate and maintain the improvements to established standards. Upgrade facilities with Best Management Practices and with energy conservation measures, while preserving their significant historic values. Make them visually compatible with the surrounding setting. In some cases, administrative facilities may be combined with dispersed or developed recreation facilities. Other resources will not normally be managed intensively in order to protect the facilities. The visual quality objective is Partial Retention when viewed as middleground and Modification or better when viewed as foreground. The preferred ROS setting is Rural.
Description This prescription applies to major administrative sites like the Meyers work station, as well as to smaller sites like fire stations and lookouts.
Prescription
Emphasis: Wetlands Management Manage wetlands for their watershed, wildlife, fish, and Scenic values. The prescription recognizes the critical importance of wetlands in filtering
Management Direction LTBMU Forest Plan
sediment and nutrients before they reach Lake Tahoe. In most situations, protection from disturbance or unnatural encroachment would be the principle action. Occasionally, encouragement of early successional stages of vegetation would be required through the use of prescribed fire or the removal of invading trees. Other activities may include the construction of nesting islands for waterfowl, controlling water levels, and limiting recreation use. No permanent roads or facilities would be constructed. Grazing may be permitted where compatible with riparian resources. The visual quality objective is Retention. The preferred ROS setting is Semi-primitive Non-Motorized or Roaded Natural.
Description This prescription applies to all marsh and meadow areas, but only the larger areas, such as Pope Marsh and Meeks Creek Meadow, are mapped.
Prescription
Emphasis : Maintenance Apply minimal management practices needed to maintain watershed conditions, protect from catastrophic fire or insect and disease epidemics, and enforce laws and regulations. There will be almost no practices designed to induce additional outputs or services. Basically, these lands will be the scenic backdrop to Lake Tahoe, left in a nearly natural condition. The visual quality objective Retention. The preferred setting is Semi-primitive Non-Motorized.
Description This prescription applies to lands not suitable for resource production because of the steep slopes, lack of access, low recreation opportunities, or noncommercial vegetation.
Prescription
Emphasis: Timber Stand Maintenance Maintain healthy and diverse vegetation conditions for scenic, watershed, recreational, and wildlife values and to prevent or reduce pest-related damage. Emphasize sanitation cutting and salvage of dead and dying trees where the wood can be harvested and utilized. More intensive timber management may be practiced adjacent to access roads. Timber stands should be maintained at stocking levels that achieve healthy conditions. Dispersed recreation including OHV opportunities will commonly be associated with this prescription, but will vary from low to high intensity based on the location and characteristics. Habitat improvement projects are encouraged. Grazing and other resource activities may also be allowed where compatible. The visual quality objective is Retention. The preferred ROS setting is Roaded Natural.
Description This prescription applies to lands accessed by roads, such as along highways or around recreation complexes like the Fallen Leaf Lake area. When these lands are not allocated to more intensive timber prescriptions or to developed recreation, they will be assigned here. This is often land that is highly
IV-49 Management Direction LTBMU Forest Plan suited for timber production but, because of watershed, visual and recreational objectives, is constrained.
Prescription #11
Emphasis: Timber Harvest Apply group selection and single tree selection harvest practices to achieve wildlife habitat diversity and a high timber yield over the long term while protecting water quality and providing high quality dispersed recreation opportunities. Opening size produced by group selection will average about 1 to acres but will not exceed 5 acres. Yields from regenerated stands will be approximately of maximum. Openings will benefit early successional stage species such as deer and quail and will increase diversity from the predominantly medium-aged trees in the basin. Existing roads may be reconstructed to meet water quality protection standards and to enhance recreation access, including opportunities. Some temporary roads may be constructed for accessing timber. The visual quality objective is Partial Retention. The preferred ROS setting is Roaded Natural.
Description This prescription may be applied to low and moderate hazard forest land.
Prescription #12
Emphasis: Urban Lots Manage the small, environmentally sensitive lots in urbanized areas for their watershed and other environmental values as intended by Congress in PL 96-586. Resource management will be limited to that appropriate in residential neighborhoods, such as removing hazard trees, pest management, law enforcement, watershed restoration, and minor wildlife and fish projects. Occasionally, some facilities may be appropriate to reduce the impact of dispersed recreation uses or to provide access to national forest land. Most of these lots are considered too environmentally sensitive to build upon. A plan will be developed to identify which lots are appropriate to transfer to State and local agencies and to specify the kinds of uses that would be allowed on transferred lots. The visual quality objective is Partial Retention. The preferred ROS setting is Rural.
Description This prescription applies to individual parcels acquired in established subdivisions by the Forest Service under the program. The prescription does not apply to acquired land that can be consolidated with other national forest land for management, such as those in Blackwood Canyon, which would not likely be transferred to local governments for management.
Prescription
Emphasis : Research Natural Area Maintain natural conditions to provide a sample ecosystem suitable for scientific study. Limit uses to research, study, observation, monitoring, and educational activities which are nondestructive and nonmanipulative. Dispersed recreation will not be encouraged, but it may occur if it does not affect
Management Direction 50 LTBMU Forest Plan natural conditions. The visual quality objective is Preservation. The preferred ROS setting is Semi-Primitive Non-Motorized or Roaded Natural.
Description This prescription applies to lands in the Research Natural Area System or those to the regional RNA for inclusion in the system. Grass Lake Moss Bog is proposed for the RNA System.
IV-51 Management Direction Table 3a Practices Prohibited
-
RX RX 2 3 5 6 7 RX 8 9 RX RX 12 13 Alpine Roaded Wilder- Timber Reduced Urban Practice Skiing ed ness t Natural A
1 Recreation N N N N N 2 C C C C C C N 3 3 Private C N C N C C N 4 Downhill Skiing Y N N N 5 Recreation N N N N N N 6 Dispersed M Y C C C Y N N N 7 M zed C C N Y N C C Y C Y Y Y Y C C C 8 C C C C C C C Y Y Y C Y Y C Y 9 Visual Resource Mgt Y Y Y Y Y Resource Y Y Y Y Y Wilderness N N N N N N 12 t Habitat C C C C C C Early Successional Stage C C C C N Y C C N 14 Old Growth C C N N Fish Habitat C N Wildlife Habitat Mgmt C C C N Structural, Habitat C C C C C C C C C N Plant Mgmt Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Range Allotment C C N 20 Range Pasture C C C C C C C C C C C C C 22 Timber (General) Y Y Y N Y Y Y Y Y ' cut N N N N N N N C 24 Salvage Y N C C Y N ' Cut Y C C C C C 26 N C N Y Y C Each
RX RX 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 RX RX RX 12 13 Alpine Intense Wetland Timber Reduced Urban ness site Mgmt Timber Lots A
N N N N Y 28 C C C C C N C C Water Use Management Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y * Y Y C Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Water Flow Timing C C C C C C 33 Water Yield Improvement N C C C 34 Minerals Mgmt C C C C C C C C C C 35 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y C C C C C C 37 C C C C Y Y Y C C C C C C C C C C C C 39 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Technical Assist, Y Y 41 Land Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 42 Land Y 43 Y C 44 Y C C N N C Temporary Road C C N C C N C Y Y C N 46 Road Maintenance Y Y Y Y Y N Y N 47 Cons t C C C C C 48 Maintenance Y Y Y Y Y Y N 49 Construction C N C M C C C C C C Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y * Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 53 C C N C Y N 54 C C C C C C C C C 55 Enforcement Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Management Y Y Y 57 Y 4 C Y LTBMU Forest Plan
G. Management Area Direction
Land in the basin has been divided into 21 management areas based upon the characteristics of the land and either existing patterns of use or potential future opportunities (see Figure IV.l). A statement has been prepared for each management area (MA) with the following content:
Description This section provides a description of the management area.
Summary of Issues, Concerns, and Opportunities (ICO'S) The issues, concerns, and opportunities relevant to each MA are summarized here. They are either subsets of the broader forestwide issues described in Chapter or they are that would be resolved at the project level.
Resource Management Emphasis The multiple use resource management emphasis for the MA is described here along with a statement of how this compares with that of the previous forest plan (The Interim Land Management Plan). Also described is the desired future condition of the area by the end of the planning horizon A.D.).
Management Area Prescription This is a list of the prescriptions that apply to the management area and the acreage of land upon which the practices intended to accomplish the prescription would be applied.
Management Area Standards Guidelines Special standards and guidelines, beyond those that apply forestwide. are described. Practices for which there is a management area related standard or guideline are identified by a practice number and descriptor. This does not represent an entire list of practices that would occur in the management area.
Proposed Resolution of Issues and Concerns This section describes how specific issues and concerns for this MA will be resolved.
Specific Monitoring and Evaluation This section includes Management Area specific monitoring and evaluation needs. It may also place special emphasis on forestwide monitoring found in Chapter V.
A one-inch-to-the-mile map displaying the boundaries of the management area and the land area within each that will be managed according to selected prescriptions. Maps are reductions of the Forest Service primary base series last revised in Several thousand acres of private land have been acquired by the Forest Service since the revisions were made. The larger of the acquired parcels are noted with the symbol
Management Direction Figure IV.l Management Areas Lake Tahoe Basin
LTBMU Forest Plan
Management Area Direction
Gross Acres National Forest System Acres TRPA Plan Areas: 162. part of 163 Miles of Lake Tahoe Shoreline: Unsuitable Timber Lands: All Acres 1.8 Total 0.2 USFS 0.2 Local Gov’t 1.4 Private
I. Description
The Blackwood Area includes the Blackwood watershed plus the area around Kaspian picnic and campground sites. The land capability is mostly high hazard on the steep canyon walls and low or moderate hazard on the valley floor. Most of the area is forested with small and medium sized conifer and red fir. There are some larger trees as well.
The canyon has been a popular area for dispersed recreation. People use the area for hiking, bicycling, sunbathing, fishing, swimming, off-highway vehicle use, undeveloped camping in the summer, and cross-country skiing and snow mobiling in the winter. The picnic site at Xaspian on Highway 89 provides one of the few developed public access points to Lake Tahoe on the west shore. The small campground west of the highway provides opportunities for bicycle and walk-in camping.
Blackwood Canyon has one of the highest sediment rates in the Tahoe Basin. This is the result of numerous activities such as logging, road construction, grazing, operation of a sawmill, and a gravel quarry. Acquisition of land has transferred many of these problems to the Forest Service. The U.S. Geological Survey has been intensively studying the watershed in order to better understand the hydrologic processes. In the past decade, Forest Service management in this area has emphasized watershed restoration. The Barker Pass road has been stabilized through drainage improvements, surfacing, and revegetation of disturbed cuts and fills. The stream, which was diverted from its natural channel during the quarry operation, has been partially returned to its natural channel. The quarry area has been developed into a wetland for sediment and nutrient control. Streambank stabilization measures, such as debris management and construction of bank protection structures, have been installed. Beaver populations are being controlled. OHV routes in the stream zone have been closed. Structures have been added to the stream to enhance fisheries. Other fisheries habitat improvement will be planned.
The Barker Pass road not only accesses Blackwood Canyon but also public land on the adjoining Tahoe National Forest. Part of the reason for surfacing this road is the periodic heavy logging truck traffic.
About acres of the Granite Chief roadless area were in the Blackwood Management Area at the head of the north fork. The 1984 California Wilderness Act released most of this portion of Granite Chief for nonwilderness uses.
Blackwood MA LTBMU Forest Plan
However, a small portion acres) in Section south of Twin Peaks, was included in the wilderness designation.
Most of the remaining private land in Blackwood Canyon was acquired by the Forest Service in 1984.
11. Issues, Concerns, and Opportunities
1. Stabilization of watershed conditions is the primary concern in the area. Although much work has been completed toward that goal, follow up treatments will probably be necessary.
111. Resource Management Emphasis
The major emphasis in this management area will continue to be watershed restoration and to manage for the variety of motorized and nonmotorized forms of recreation. Vegetation management will not be actively pursued until water quality standards are assured.
This direction differs from current management by postponing vegetation management until watershed conditions improved.
The desired future condition is a restored watershed, an enhanced fishery, and a landscape with fewer visual disturbances in the foreground.
IV. Management Area Prescriptions
Prescription
1 - Developed Recreation 100 5 - Intensive Dispersed Recreation 6 - Wilderness - Maintenance 4,211 10- Timber Stand Maintenance 1,400 12- Urban Lots (not mapped)
V. Management Area Standards and Guidelines
Forestwide standards and guidelines apply. The following direction supplements them:
Practice Standard and Guideline
1-Recreation and VIS Site Expand Kaspian campground by PAOT.
Blackwood MA IV-58 LTBMU Forest Plan
7-Dispersed Recreation Restrict use in this management area to Management - Summer roads and designated routes. Inform OHV users of the sensitivity of the watershed.
8-Dispersed Recreation Keep management area open to over-the-snow Management - Winter vehicle use. Issue no winter motorized outfitter guide permits.
14-Old Growth Management Protect suitable habitat for goshawk and spotted owl.
17-Structural Fish Habitat Improve the ability for fish to migrate in Management this stream past the concrete diversion structure, and improve limited habitat.
20-Range Allotment Prohibit livestock grazing for at least the Management duration of this plan. Continue to allow sheep crossing from the Tahoe NF to a truck loading site in Blackwood in the fall, provided that no watershed damage occurs as a result.
23-Regeneration Harvest Intensive timber management activities will not occur during this plan period.
24-Sanitation Salvage Allow this practice where necessary to prevent insect and disease outbreaks from escalating into epidemic proportions.
Construction The Barker Pass road will be utilized as a and Reconstruction major log haul route from the Tahoe National Forest. However, it will not be realigned or upgraded to a standard that could make it a new trans-Sierra highway. Existing OHV roads will be managed to preserve or enhance quality opportunities.
VI. Proposed Resolution of Issues and Concerns
1. Continuation of the restoration efforts and the limitations on soil and watershed disturbing activities.
VII. Specific Monitoring and Evaluation Requirements
Monitor the water quality in Blackwood Creek in cooperation with the U.S. Geological Survey and the Tahoe Research Group.
59 Blackwood MA I
PRESCRIPTIONS 6 Wilderness Management DESOLATION MANAGEMENT AREA - SOUTH IV-62 LTBMU Forest Plan
Management Area Direction
DESOLATION
Gross Acres National Forest System Acres TFiPA Plan Areas: Unsuitable Timber Land: All Acres
I. Description
This management area encompasses the portion of Desolation Wilderness. It extends from Echo Summit along the basin boundary to the vicinity of the General Creek headwaters. The wilderness includes a great variety of outstanding scenery, highly attractive landscapes, and lakes and streams reminiscent of the southern Sierra Nevada. The vegetation of the area ranges from mixed conifer and red fir forests to alpine-type conifers such as western white pine, mountain hemlock and Sierra juniper. Desolation is a very attractive, popular, and easily accessible area located adjacent to several heavily used recreation attraction and within only a few hours drive from major population centers. Hiking, camping, and fishing is the primary use.
A detailed plan for managing the wilderness was developed in cooperation with the Eldorado National Forest and a citizen's working group. The plan was approved by the Regional Forester on August 14, 1978.
11. Issues, Concerns, and Opportunities
1. Management decisions and direction contained within the Desolation Wilderness Management Plan have not been fully implemented. Despite public education and enforcement programs, some problems continue to occur -- such as camping within 100 feet of lakes and streams, controlling the number of campfire rings, litter, and day hikers not obtaining permits. Other problems include aircraft overflights.
2. It has been over 10 years since the traffic flow simulation model was developed for the Desolation Wilderness. The model was used to help set entry quota limits for each trailhead. There is a need to examine the entry quotas, patterns of visitor use, and the effects of day use to verify the model or change it where necessary. 3. Helicopter landings for medical evacuations or other emergencies are increasing. Landings, though authorized on an emergency basis, are sometimes found later to be unwarranted.
IV-63 Desolation MA LTBMU Forest plan
111. Resource Management Emphasis
The primary emphasis in this management area is to maintain the wilderness yet provide the opportunity for public use, enjoyment, and understanding of Desolation Wilderness at a level of visitation that assures solitude and a primitive, unconfined recreation experience.
This direction is a continuation of current management.
The desired future condition is an area that retains the attributes of wilderness.
IV. Management Area Prescription
Prescription
6- Wilderness Management 21,300
V. Management Area Standards and Guidelines
Forestwide standards and guidelines apply. The following direction supplements them:
Practice Standard and Guideline
7 8-Dispersed Recreation - Maintain closure to use and mountain Summer and Winter bicycles. Issue no new outfitter guide permits or competitive recreation events permits.
11- Wilderness Management Use the Desolation Wilderness Management Plan except for the fire management portion to specifically guide management activities for the area.
Evaluate major emission sources which might affect the Class I airshed, including sources not on Federal land. Inventory and assess identified air quality related values (AQRV) of visibility. byrlia lichen species and acidity of water.
VI. Proposed Resolution of Issues and Concerns
1. A complete review of the wilderness plan will be scheduled with the Eldorado National Forest with the objective of evaluating progress on achieving the current direction. New information on wilderness management will be considered along with the changing local situation to prepare a
Desolation MA IV-64 LTBMU Forest Plan
revised plan for the area. This may result in reductions in party size or trailhead quotas.
2. Conduct a new traffic flow simulation model to assess changes in visitor use patterns with consideration of impacts from day use. This will be done as part of the revision to the wilderness plan.
3. Helicopter use will be evaluated as part of the revision to the wilderness plan.
VII. Specific Monitoring and Evaluation Requirements
Periodically evaluate wilderness permits to help determine how well the quota system
if Class I air quality and visibility standards are being achieved.
Desolation MA t
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Management Area Direction
EAST SHORE
2,220 Gross Acres National Forest System Acres Planning Areas: 055-East Shore, Miles of Lake Tahoe Shoreline: and Lake 9.6 Total Unsuitable Timber Lands: All Acres 5.5 USFS 2.2 State 1.9 Private
I. Description
This management area includes the shore of Lake Tahoe from Glenbrook Bay north to Sand Point. Virtually all of this area is rocky and very steep, and drops precipitously to the shoreline. The land is classified as moderate to high disturbance hazard. There is privately owned land within the management area, including Thunderbird Lodge north of Marlette Creek, a small parcel with two cabins south of Secret Harbor, and a number of cabins above Secret Harbor.
The historic family house at Skunk Harbor is a cultural feature in the area. Another cultural feature is the northern portion of the railroad grade used for logging in the Comstock period, leading from Glenbrook through Slaughterhouse Canyon to Spooner Summit.
Use of the area in the recent past has been limited to non-motorized dispersed recreation activities: for example, sunbathing and hiking. Also popular are lake-related uses such as boating, and fishing. The shoreline north of Secret Harbor is easily accessible to pedestrians over a system of trails. Parking is possible only on the shoulder of Highway and the popularity of the area has led to along the highway. This problem has been most apparent north of Secret Harbor where many trails lead to the small, sandy beaches most attractive to sunbathers. Problems with litter and sanitation have also been associated with the beach users, as have erosion problems due to heavy foot traffic on the unstable soils.
The area south of Secret Harbor is less heavily used by recreationists because of the steepness of the trail, access to the shoreline, and the distance from the highway. Another factor is the number of sandy beaches. The exception to this generalization is Skunk Harbor, which is a popular destination for boaters.
Most of the area is forested with well stocked mixed conifer. Its classification is small, but many larger trees are mixed in. Access for timber removal is presently limited. Active nesting sites for osprey and goshawk are located in the area.
E. Shore Beaches MA Forest Plan
11. Issues, Concerns, and Opportunities
1. A major concern is the congestion, erosion, and littering resulting from intensive dispersed recreation use of the beaches north of Skunk Harbor. Related to this use is the parking along Highway 28 that is contributing to water quality problems, detracting from the scenic drive, and adding to the driving hazards. Development of trails, roads, and parking facilities to correct the existing situation will be constrained by the low tolerance of the land for soil and vegetation disturbing activities.
2. Ninety acres near Marlette Creek were acquired with a deed reservation that allows the grantor, Jack Dreyfus, to use existing facilities on the land for noncommercial recreation for a period of years from the date of purchase Though the reservation does not prevent the Forest Service from using the property for recreation, the potential for conflicting activities is great. Access roads through the national forest can be constructed.
3. Many people feel that the undeveloped, unregulated nature of the area as it exists today provides a unique recreation experience. Improving access could change the nature of that experience and the recreation clientele.
4. There is opportunity to develop a ten to twelve mile hiking trail system that would provide better public access to this remote shoreline of Lake Tahoe, especially between Secret Harbor and Glenbrook.
Resource Management Emphasis
The major resource emphasis of this area will be intensive dispersed recreation along the shorezone north of Skunk Harbor: and semi-primitive non-motorized recreation. away from the shorezone and south of Skunk Harbor,
This direction is a continuation of current management, but with greater emphasis placed upon resolving the parking and access problems from Highway 28.
The desired future condition is to maintain the existing opportunity for nonmotorized recreation a semi-primitive environment, while developing facilities necessary to protect the environment and to expand opportunities. Existing visual problems along Highway 28 will be corrected. Vegetation will be managed to maintain health and diversity, acceptable fire hazard, and a safe recreation environment.
IV. Management Area Prescriptions
Prescriptions
3- Unroaded Recreation 5- Intensive Dispersed Recreation
E. Shore Beaches MA IV-68 LTBMU Forest Plan
V. Management Area Standards and Guidelines
Forestwide standards and guidelines apply. The following direction supplements them:
Practice Standard and Guideline
1-Recreation Construction Construct a boat-in day use site at Skunk Harbor, with capacity of PAOT.
2-Dispersed Recreation Provide parking and associated improvements Site Construction for 850 PAOT at suitable locations off Highway 28 to eliminate the roadside parking. Plan parking nodes with Nevada Department of Transportation and the Division of Parks and Recreation.
Designate scenic vista points along Highway 28.
6-Dispersed Recreation Assure that not all the parking is used by beach users, but that some is reserved for emergency roadside stops and for scenic viewing.
7-Dispersed Recreation Prohibit overnight camping and OHV use. Management - Summer Emphasize management programs to minimize littering along the beaches and trails. Regularly maintain trail improvements to protect fragile soils and vegetation from heavy public use.
8-Dispersed Recreation Maintain closure to over-the-snow vehicles Management - Winter north of Skunk Harbor. No permits for winter motorized outfitter guides will be issued.
9-Visual Quality Management Restore the highway foreground view with nodal parking.
10-Cultural Resources Evaluate and interpret the house and outbuilding at Skunk Harbor. Manage as ap propriate through recordation, interpreta tion, and/or preservation. Evaluate signi ficance of Slaughterhouse Canyon railroad grade, and interpret grade if desirable.
46-Road Maintenance Maintain roads for administrative purposes and allow for access to the private homes at Secret Harbor.
Install barriers or other devices to prevent roadside parking where it has been determined
E. Shore Beaches MA Forest Plan
to be a visual, safety and water quality management problem.
VI. Proposed Resolution of Issues and Concerns
1. Problems resulting from intensive use of the beaches will be addressed by continued patrol and enforcement by Forest Service personnel, and by construction of minimal facilities to direct use. Numbers of visitors may be limited by restricting parking. Visual and erosion problems associated with parking will be addressed by development of better parking facilities and by utilizing off- site parking in conjunction with public transportation if possible.
2. Recreation development on the 90 acres affected by the deed reservation will be constrained until 2002. However, the option of using the acres near Marlette Creek for meeting recreation needs sooner than 2002 should be considered through coordination with Jack Dreyfus.
3. The undeveloped nature of the beach area will be preserved so long as such preservation is consistent with maintaining water quality.
4. Additions to the trail system that provide lake views and access will be planned at the project levels.
VII. Specific Monitoring and Evaluation Requirements
Continue to monitor water quality in Marlette, Secret Harbor, and Bliss Creeks to determine the effectiveness of the erosion control program.
Continue to monitor the osprey and goshawk territories to determine management requirements.
E. Shore Beaches MA IV-71
LTBMU Forest Plan
Management Area Direction
ECHO LAKES
Gross Acres 1,800 National Forest Acres TRPA Plan Areas: 140 and 142 Unsuitable Timber Lands: All Acres
I. Description
This area is the high ridge in the vicinity of Echo Summit and the area surrounding Upper and Lower Echo Lakes. Most of the area is developed with 210 recreation residences and other recreation facilities on the national forest. Several small private parcels on Lower Echo Lake also have recreation residences.
In addition to the private sector recreation that the area, it is a principal point for public access to Desolation Wilderness, to the Pacific Crest Trail and to the Echo Lakes. In the winter it is a popular cross country skiing area. Echo Summit Alpine Ski Area and the base facilities for Echo Nordic Center are just outside the area on the Eldorado National Forest.
The entire area is classed high hazard land. Red fir forest covers most of the area.
Low standard paved roads serve the recreation residences within the eastern half of the area while residences around the Echo Lakes are reached by boat or hiking from Echo Chalet Resort on the eastern tip of Lower Echo Lake.
Echo Lakes are natural Lakes with a dam to increase water storage for hydroelectric purposes down the American River drainage. The water right allows acre feet to be drawn from the lakes after the first Monday in September. Once the water level is drawn down by about six feet, boat passage from the lower to the upper lake is no longer possible.
Most of the recreation residences; the resort, and the organization camps in the area have waivers to the requirement for exporting all sewage from the Lake Tahoe Basin. A few do export directly over the watershed divide to leach fields outside the basin. The remainder are required to pack out the waste from chemical toilets, but they are permitted to discharge wash water into leach fields. Continuance of the waivers is dependent upon the currently approved systems meeting water quality standards.
Echo MA LTBMU Forest Plan
11. Issues. Concerns, and Opportunities
1. Parking of vehicles is a problem both in the summer and winter. Summer parking is concentrated at the road's end near Echo Chalet and serves backpackers, cabin owners, day hikers. fishermen, boaters and picnickers addition to customers of the chalet. The overflow of vehicles along the road impacts summer cabin residents and disturbs high hazard land. Backpackers and residents of lakeshore cabins often park for many days, preventing convenient access to the area by short term day users.
In the winter, no parking site is cleared for public use except at Echo Ski Area. Parking along roadways has interfered with snowplowing and with safe use of the roads resulting in enforcement action by the California Highway Patrol and the Sheriff.
2. Some people feel that Echo Lakes more closely resembles an exclusive private resort area rather than a public recreation area. This may lead some visitors to feel unwelcome. This is because of the large number of privately owned recreation residences. The lack of public information and signing, adequate parking and an entry portal has also had an influence. 3. Highway over Echo Summit is the most heavily traveled approach to Lake Tahoe. The summit offers a superb vista into Tahoe Valley and to Lake , Tahoe in the distance. Visitors commonly use several small road turnouts on the descent into the valley as viewing points. The space available in these turnouts is limited, and exiting and entering the highway traffic flow from them can be dangerous. There are opportunities to provide safer vista points and possibly a roadside rest area at the summit.
111. Resource Management Emphasis
Management of this focal point of recreation activity will emphasize the environmental sensitivity of the area. Recreation use expansion will be limited to those needed to better serve the general public.
This direction is a continuation of current management for the area.
The desired future condition is a quality recreation area with adequate and organized facilities at the trailhead, rustic buildings and a scenic Highway entry to the Lake Tahoe Basin.
IV. Management Prescriptions
Prescription
1- Developed Recreation 715 3- Unroaded Recreation 775 5- Intensive Dispersed Recreation 220 9- Maintenance
Echo MA LTBMU Forest Plan V. Management Area Standards and Guidelines Forestwide standards and guidelines apply. The following direction supplements them: Practice Standard and Guideline
1-Recreation Construction Develop an Echo Summit vista with a capacity 50 PAOT. 2-Dispersed Recreation Expansion will not exceed 40 PAOT above the Site Construction current level for Echo Lake and Echo Summit parking.
3-Private Sector Recreation residences, organization camps, Recreation and resorts will not be enlarged in capacity or in land coverage.
A single future use determination will be made for all the private sector improvements in this management area since all term permits expire on January and their continuance substantially determines the character of the area for the future.
7-Dispersed Recreation Manage the old Camp Harvey West site at the Management - Summer west end of Upper Echo Lake as a dispersed recreation area. Maintain use at a level that allows natural watershed and vegetation rehabilitation to progress.
Maintain the closure to activity. Vehicles may travel on forest development roads.
Maintain the camping closure.
8-Dispersed Recreation Maintain the closure to over-the-snow Management - Winter vehicles. Owners of private land and recreation residences may travel on the forest development roads when they are snow covered to gain access, but not for recreational purposes. No permits for winter motorized outfitter guides will be issued.
Cooperate with El Dorado County on their ordinance that closes avalanche prone areas along Highway to over-the-snow travel (motorized or nonmotorized).
Maintain the camping closure.
Echo MA LTBMU Forest Plan
Restoration Continue to work with CalTrans to improve the appearance of the maintenance yard on Echo Summit to enhance the highway entry corridor to Lake Tahoe.
46-Road Maintenance Develop cost sharing arrangements with cabin and resort owners for the road to Echo Lake that was removed from county maintenance in 1984.
ties Construction No sewer collection line will be constructed to serve the recreation residences around Echo Lake.
VI. Proposed Resolution of Issues and Concerns
1. The parking situation will be analyzed as part of the future use determination of permits in the area and should be completed before Related is the need to work with the county and CalTrans to arrange snowplowing of parking in the winter rather than depend upon roadside parking.
2. Improvements in access and visitor information should help to better serve the general public. Public recreation improvements will be limited to those necessary to accommodate dispersed use. Most likely the private homes will continue to suppress the amount of dispersed public use in the area.
3. Potential sites for a vista point at Echo Summit will be determined as part of the future use determination. Cooperation of the California Department of Transportation will be necessary for detailed site planning and construction.
VII. Special Monitoring and Evaluation
1. Compliance with waste discharge requirements will be monitored.
2. Once new parking facilities or arrangements are completed, the effectiveness for assuring public access to the area will be evaluated.
Echo MA
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Management Area Direction
BAY
5,789 Gross Acres 2,703 National Forest System Acres TRPA Plan Areas: and Miles of Lake Tahoe Shoreline: part of and 148 10.2 Total Unsuitable Timber Lands: All Acres 7.6 State 2.6 Private
I. Description
The Emerald Bay Management Area includes all the land in the watersheds of Cascade Lake on the south and the Rubicon area on the north, except for land in Desolation Wilderness, which forms the western edge. Most of the area is extremely steep, high hazard land. The shoreline of Lake Tahoe in this area does not include national forest land. Public access to the shoreline is via State Park land. National forest land does include the west edge of Cascade Lake, a lake that is lightly used because access is across private land.
The primary use of the area is a scenic highway corridor, with Highway 89 circling the bay and providing spectacular views of one of the most beautiful spots in the world. Scattered along the road are several small recreation facilities--Bayview Campground, Eagle Falls Picnic Area, Inspiration Point Vista Point, and Pine Flat Campground operated by the State Park. The State Park also operates two campgrounds and the Vikingsholm historic estate on Emerald Bay and another campground and beach at Rubicon Point. A small recreation residence tract is located on the north side of the bay.
The State Park lands around the bay have been designated as a National Natural Landmark because of their scenic beauty and unique glacial geology. The national forest lands around the bay will be studied to determine if they warrant classification as a special interest area, for the same reasons. They are also being studied as potential additions to the Emerald Bay National Natural Landmark registry.
Because this area is not efficiently served by sewage export lines from the north or the south, all of the facilities use holding tanks that are pumped periodically. Pine Flat campground is the exception. It is sewered through the State Park system that ties in to the Tahoe City PUD line. A study by the Forest Service indicated that sewering Emerald Bay facilities on national forest land would probably not be economically or environmentally feasible (Sewer Task Force Report, Eldorado National Forest, 1970). Though the Emerald Bay recreation residences presently use holding tanks, the owners are receptive to alternative future methods.
The trailheads at Bayview and Eagle Falls are popular access points into Desolation Wilderness, to White Cloud Falls on Cascade to Eagle Lake.
The highway is subject to severe sliding, with the most devastating occurrence being the and slides just west of Bayview. The resulting scar is
IV-79 Emerald Bay MA LTBMU Forest Plan prominent even from the east side of the lake. Opportunities to revegetate the slide have been examined, but no practical solutions have been found.
Almost all the area west of Highway is part of the Pyramid roadless area. The 1984 California Wilderness Act released Pyramid for nonwilderness uses.
11. Issues, Concerns, and Opportunities
1. The biggest concern about this management area is the parking problem around Emerald Bay. Cars quickly fill the parking lots at Eagle Falls and Vikingsholm and the few scenic turnouts, forcing eager sightseers to park on the road shoulder. This not only damages the shoulders, but contributes to safety problems as visitors cross the busy highway or park under areas prone to snow or rock slides. It will take coordinated planning between the State Parks, CalTrans, and the Forest Service to find adequate parking that will accommodate the use without degrading the recreation experience. CalTrans and the California State Parks are jointly planning improvements to the Vikingsholm parking lot. Increased use of public or private transit to Emerald Bay may be the best solution.
2. There are no suitable sites for expansion of developed facilities in this management area, both because of the high hazard land and the lack of sewer export lines. However, some of the existing sites need to be reconstructed to improve the service for recreation users and to reduce watershed problems. Such work has been completed at Bayview trailhead and is under way at Eagle Falls and Inspiration Point Vista (Forest Service) and Vikingsholm (State Parks). 3. Stabilization of the landslide and the cut and fill slopes on the highway is a visual, water quality and public safety concern. Rock fall has caused property losses, injuries and deaths. Closure of the road has been used, especially in the winter, to reduce the risk. Permanent solutions are expected to be difficult to install and expensive.
4. The intermingled nature of California State Park and national forest land and their improvements requires close coordination to assure that activities of one agency does not conflict with that the other. Since the State highway is also a significant part of the touring and sightseeing experience in the area, coordination with CalTrans is also imperative.
5. The area west of Rubicon subdivision is a concern because of the fire hazard within the subdivision. The area is steep, brushy and poorly accessed. The fire problems are similar to those found in Southern California with structures built in highly fuels on steep slopes, which results in the highest potential for a major fire involving structures in the Lake Tahoe Basin.
111. Resource Management Emphasis
Management emphasis will be to enhance for the variety of existing recreation experiences. Future activities will focus on redesigning sites to more efficiently serve the public and on upgrading existing sites with Best
Emerald Bay MA IV-80 LTBMU Forest Plan Management Practices. Coordination of recreation management and landownership adjustment with the California State Park System will be emphasized. Also to be emphasized will be resolving the land stability problem along the highway with CalTrans. This direction is a continuation of current management.
The desired future condition will be to provide high quality recreation experiences worthy of this world-renowned location. Vegetation management will emphasize health and diversity, public safety, and scenic quality and viewing opportunities.
IV. Management Area Prescriptions
Prescription
1 - Developed Recreation 5 - Intensive Dispersed Recreation - Maintenance 10- Timber Stand Maintenance 233 12- Urban Lots (not mapped)
V. Management Area Standards and Guidelines
Forestwide standards and guidelines apply. The following direction supplements them:
Practice Standard and Guideline
1- Recreation and VIS Site Maximum expansion of developed facilities Construction will be limited to PAOT over present at Inspiration Point. At the same time, upgrade the interpretation at the site, reduce environmental impacts and make it safer.
3- Private Sector Plan the future use of the Emerald Bay Recreation recreation residence tract prior to the expiration of the permits in
Recreation residences will not be enlarged in capacity or in land coverage.
7- Dispersed Recreation This area is closed to use. Management - Summer Overnight camping is permitted only in designated Forest Service and State Park campgrounds. No new outfitter guide permits will be issued.
8- Dispersed Recreation This area is closed to over-the-snow vehicle Management - Winter use. No new winter outfitter guide permits will be issued.
IV-81 Emerald Bay MA LTBMU Forest Plan
9- Visual Resource Continue to explore efficient and effective Management ways to restore the large landslide area to visual quality
Cut trees if necessary to maintain or improve the view from Inspiration Point.
Water Quality Support CalTrans' efforts to explore Improvement effective, efficient and visually acceptable ways to stabilize the highway cuts and fills and the landslide area.
35- Land Resource Work with the California Department of Planning Parks and Recreation and CalTrans to plan for the mix of uses in this management area.
Evaluate the national forest lands around the bay in this planning period to determine if they warrant classification as a Special Interest Area. These lands will also be studied for potential inclusion into the State Park's National Natural Landmark registry.
41- Landownership Explore opportunities to improve management Adjustment through land exchanges with the State Parks.
VI. Proposed Resolution of Issues and Concerns
1. The parking problem at Emerald Bay will be evaluated in detail in future joint planning efforts with the appropriate State agencies. Solutions for improving the recreation experience will be given a high priority for implementation.
2. Improvements will be installed at all Forest Service and permittee facilities to prevent soil loss and degrading of water quality as sites are upgraded or when heavy maintenance is performed. 3. The State Department of Transportation will be urged to take the lead in correcting the land instability problems along the highway. The Forest Service and other agencies must cooperate to find solutions that are commensurate with the visual and recreation quality of the bay.
4. Land exchange opportunities and coordinated planning will be emphasized to obtain more efficient management of the area.
5. Although there is no special direction or resolution of fire hazard at Rubicon, this area will continue to be a concern to the Forest Service.
VII. Specific Monitoring and Evaluation Requirements
None at this time.
Emerald Bay MA IV-82 IV-83 FALLEN LEAF MANAGEMENT AREA
"I< 11 Reduced Timber 11187 LTBMU Forest Plan
Management Area Direction
FALLEN LEAF
Gross Acres National Forest System Acres TFPA Plan Areas: and Miles of Lake Tahoe Shoreline: and part of Total Unsuitable Timber Lands: All Acres 2.7 USFS Private
I. Description
The Fallen Leaf Management Area consists of the Glen Alpine, Taylor, and Tallac Creek drainages outside of Desolation Wilderness, plus the Angora Lakes Basin- and the Tahoe Mountain area just west of the City of South Lake Tahoe. It is a very diverse area with sandy beaches on Lake Tahoe, lakes, marshes, granitic cliffs, glacial moraines, and productive forests. The Taylor Creek Wetlands will be studied to determine the suitability of designating them as a Special Interest Area.
This is the most intensively used developed recreation area on national forest land in the basin. Located within it are Pope, Baldwin. and Kiva beaches; Camp Richardson Resort; the Visitor Center: Fallen Leaf Campground: two organization camps: and several summer home tracts. There are also several wilderness trailheads and substantial dispersed recreation. The Washoe Tribe is planning to construct a cultural center near Taylor Creek. Other facilities are used for Forest Service employee housing and administrative uses.
This area is rich in cultural resources. In addition to several extensive prehistoric sites and the archaeological remains of the luxury, turn-of-the century Tallac Hotel, there are two historic resorts -- Camp Richardson and Glen Alpine: the historic Angora fire lookout: and the Baldwin, Pope and Valhalla Estates which have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This plan establishes the Tallac Historic Special Interest Area, which includes the land from the eastern boundary of Valhalla west to Tallac Point, and from the shore of Lake Tahoe south to Highway 89. This area which includes the three estates, the Tallac Hotel site, and a large prehistoric site, will be managed with an emphasis on preserving and interpreting the historic resources for public enjoyment.
The land adjacent to Desolation was included in the Pyramid roadless area which was released for nonwilderness uses by the California Wilderness Act of 1984.
11. Issues, Concerns, and Opportunities
1. This management area has extensive areas suitable for expansion of developed recreation facilities near Highway 89. Utilities are available and water-oriented attractions are near. The Forest Service owns capacity in the STPUD sewer plant to support recreation development.
IV-85 Fallen Leaf MA LTBMU Forest Plan
2. Fallen Leaf Lake provides a quality recreation experience for the public. At present, however, the access is quite limited. The only boat launch on the lake is at the southern end, requiring travel on a single lane road past private residences. Likewise. opportunities to view the lake are limited from the roadway. Consequently, the private, southern end of the lake is heavily congested, while the public northern end is lightly used. Recent studies by the Forest Service (Fallen Leaf Lake - A Recreation Study for Forest Service, 1981) met with mixed reaction from the residents, who tended to oppose any increase in public use of the lake. 3. The intensity of recreation use in the area requires a large amount of parking area. On heavy use days parking is often inadequate at the most popular sites. Some of the existing parking is poorly developed, is located on environmentally sensitive sites that would be difficult to improve, and/or is currently accessed by roads that are not to standard and require traveling through congested areas. Opportunity exists in this area to encourage use and expand the existing bus service to the area.
4. The forests in this management area have been experiencing a severe outbreak of both Jeffrey pine bark beetle and the mountain pine beetle. The primary reason for the infestations appears to be physiological stress brought about by many years of overstocking, reinforced by other factors such as mistletoe, root disease, Elytroderma disease, road construction. drought, and water table fluctuations. A Jeffrey pine beetle suppression project was initiated in 1983, and the area is being treated in accordance with the South Shore Vegetation Treatment Plan, 1984, in an attempt to reduce the impacts of these infestations. The long term strategy is to improve stand conditions for their aesthetic, recreation, watershed, and wildlife values and to protect public safety and to minimize fire hazard. 5. There are several conflicts and opportunities regarding wildlife and sensitive plants. Cross country skiing and other recreation use around Taylor Creek can be disruptive to the wintering bald eagle populations. There may be some area near Fallen Leaf Lake suitable for eagle nesting. The beach areas are suitable habitat for Rorippa subumbellata, a sensitive plant, which is located in places where it is easily disturbed by beach users and by beach cleaning equipment. Some sites are currently fenced to protect them from disturbance, but this also reduces the valuable beach area. There are several areas of lodgepole pine encroachment in meadows where removal would enhance riparian wildlife habitat.
6. There are many historic structures which are expensive to maintain, but add greatly to the recreational and interpretive experiences available in the area. The Baldwin, Pope, and Valhalla Estates have recently been listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and other buildings such as Glen Alpine Springs Resort, Angora Lookout, the Old Mill, and the Frederick's House, which have not been evaluated, may also be of historic significance. These buildings provide government housing, administrative office space, storage, and work space as well as recreational and interpretive opportunities. These uses must be balanced with preserving and maintaining the historic values of the properties.
Fallen Leaf MA IV-86 LTBMU Forest Plan
Resource Management Emphasis Management emphasis will be upon enhancing recreation opportunities and cultural resource values. New sites will be constructed and existing ones will be maintained. Public access to prime locations such as Fallen Leaf Lake will be improved. There will also be a strong emphasis on vegetation management to protect the diverse forest environment for recreation and aesthetic enjoyment.
This direction is essentially a continuation of current management except that recreation may be expanded through site construction. New construction had been temporarily restrained in pending completion of this plan.
The desired future condition is healthy, diverse vegetation with scattered developed sites and dispersed recreation areas.
IV. Management Area Prescriptions
Prescription
1 - Developed Recreation 3 - Unroaded Recreation 5 - Intensive Dispersed Recreation 635 7 - Administrative Site 8 - Wetlands Management 660 10- Timber Stand Maintenance 11- Reduced Timber
V. Management Area Standards and Guidelines
Forestwide standards and guidelines apply. The following direction supplements them:
Practice Standard and Guideline
1- Recreation and VIS Site Increase recreation capacity by the following Construction amounts: Camp Richardson Campground PAOT Fallen Leaf Boat Launch 43 PAOT Fallen Leaf PAOT
2- Dispersed Recreation Expand capacity beyond the present level of Construction use at trailhead parking sites to: Angora Ridge Winter 15 PAOT Mt Tallac 48 PAOT Glen Alpine 50 PAOT
Consider opportunities for use of public transit, or other alternatives, before constructing or reconstructing parking sites.
3- Private Sector Proposed new development will include: Recreation Washoe Cultural Center 118 PAOT New organization camp 360 PAOT
Fallen Leaf MA Forest Plan
Manage Camp Richardson Resort under the terms of the decision notice dated May 28,1982.
Plan the future use of the recreation residences prior to the expiration of their permits. The permits at Spring Creek, Alpine Falls, Stanford, and Fallen Leaf Lodge tracts expire in 2001. Those at Lily Lake, Fish Hatchery, Angora Lakes, and part of Fallen Leaf tract expire in
Because of the high cost and environmental effects of sewering the remote, fragile area, the unsewered tracts will not be connected to the STPUD system. If sewering should someday be required, and if alternate technological solutions are unacceptable, residences in those affected tracts will be terminated. Enforce the conditions of the existing waiver.
Electrical service will not be extended to Lot 6 of Fish Hatchery Tract because it is so remote from other development.
Manage Camp Richardson Corral under terms of the special use permit. Work with the per mittee to develop a plan for shared manage ment and maintenance of the trails used by the permittee.
5- Developed Recreation Site Implement the plan for the Tallac Historic Operation and Maintenance Site approved in to provide for public use and enjoyment, while preserving the historically significant aspects of the estates. Where it doesn't conflict with public access the structures and grounds will be made available for a variety of adaptive uses to help generate restoration and maintenance funds. main house will be used as a community resource, managed by the Tahoe Tallac Association, to date non-profit cultural and educational events, ceremonies, performances, meetings or exhibits appropriate to its scale and harmonious with the ambient atmosphere desired for the complex. Encourage the Tahoe Tallac Association to evaluate the feasibil ity of converting the boathouse into a small community theater. Begin restoring and refurnishing the Pope main house and kitchen to portray an interpretive example of a
Fallen Leaf MA IV-88 LTBMU Forest Plan
summer resort at Lake Tahoe in such a manner that it may also be used for a variety of adaptive uses. The outbuildings may be used for interpretation, public demonstration and exhibition, storage, office space, bath- rooms, or barracks. The Estate main house will contain the Tallac Museum, collections curation, and office and work space for interpretive and museum specialists. The outbuildings will be used for educational, interpretive, historical, residential, facilities maintenance or storage purposes.
Visitor information and interpretive ser vices in this area will be focused at the Lake Tahoe Visitor Center and will include programs and activities throughout the area. The environmental education program will be expanded to year round.
Maintain the existing parking at Pope and Baldwin beaches for the duration of this plan. Consider opportunities for use of shuttle service that might lead to a reduction in parking on the barrier beach.
7- Dispersed Recreation- Vehicle use will be limited to Forest Service Summer system roads, subject to other closures. No routes or trails will be designated in this management area. Camping will be prohibited except in developed campgrounds and designated dispersed campsites.
8- Dispersed Recreation- This management area is open to Winter snow vehicles except north of Highway 89; at Angora Lakes; from Fallen Leaf Road west to South Lake Tahoe and north of Tahoe Mountain; and west of Lily Lake. No outfitter guide permits for winter motorized use will be issued.
10- Cultural Resource Management Protect the Washoe Cemetery from damage that could occur as a result of intensive recreation use and other activities.
Complete National Register Nominations for Glen Alpine Springs Resort, Camp Richardson, and Angora Lookout. Evaluate the significance of Fredericks House, the Old Mill, the prehistoric sites, and the Tallac Resort site. Manage these sites and the three estates in a manner appropriate to their historic significance through
Fallen MA Forest Plan
recordation, research, interpretation, rest- oration, preservation and/or appropriate levels of maintenance. Work with cooperating associations such as the Tahoe Tallac Association, the Lake Tahoe Historical Society, and the Historic Preservation of Glen Alpine Springs Incorporated to accomplish necessary work on these buildings.
Assist the Washoe Tribe in reestablishing their ties with the Lake Tahoe area.
Preserve the Washoe cultural resource values along Taylor Creek, for mile south of Highway for potential interpretation.
12- Nonstructural Wildlife Manage the bald eagle winter forage area at Habitat Management Taylor Creek for low human disturbance from mid-October to February. Maintain large dominant trees and snags for perching, especially those near water.
Evaluate the suitability of the two storied stands near Fallen Leaf Lake for bald eagle nest sites.
Restrict recreation use in the Pope and Baldwin wildlife sanctuaries during goose nesting season.
16- Structural Wildlife Implement the Pope Marsh Management Prescrip Habitat Management tion, approved on September which calls for installation of nesting islands or platforms and other devices to enhance water- fowl habitat. Develop similar plans for Taylor Creek and Baldwin marshes.
Structural Fish Seek modifications in the MOU with the Fallen Habitat Management Leaf Protection Association on regulation of Fallen Leaf Lake outflow if monitoring indicates that proper conditions are not being maintained in Taylor Creek for Kokanee salmon spawning and egg and fry survival and habitat for brown trout.
Maintain the fish barrier between Taylor Creek and Fallen Leaf Lake to prevent transmittal to Lake Tahoe of a whirling disease caused by Myxosoma cerebralis parasite prevalent in Fallen Leaf Lake.
18- T E Species Continue management efforts to protect Habitat Management existing and potential habitat of Rorippa subumbellata on the lakeshore. Prohibit
Fallen Leaf MA IV-go Forest Plan
mechanical raking and cleaning of the beaches on these habitat sites.
Water Use Management Consider the long term effects on the marsh ecosystem before approving any discharge of water into Pope Marsh from the Tahoe Keys treatment plant.
35- Land and Resource Planning The Tallac Historic Site would be designated a Special Interest Area and Taylor Creek Wetlands would be evaluated for future SIA designation in this planning period.
49- Facilities Construction/ Enlarge the Baldwin employee mobile home ' Reconstruction park.
Facilities Operation Manage the reservoir at Fallen Leaf Lake and Maintenance to fulfill four objectives. In descending order, the objectives are: 1) abide by rules set forth in our Memorandum of Understanding with the Fallen Leaf Protection Association, 3/6/72; 2) provide for instream flow in Taylor Creek; 3) provide for flood protection; and provide for other specific water levels desired by the protection association. No objective of lower order will be met until the higher ones are fulfilled.
Supporting documents are: for Low Water Management 5/3/81; Minimum Flow needs for Taylor Creek 6/81; Hydrologic Analysis and Operating Plan for Fallen Leaf Lake 6/81.
VI. Proposed Resolution of Issues and Concerns
1. This area will continue to be high priority for developed and dispersed recreation; however, it will scaled down from past plans.
2. Plans for improving public access to the northern end of Fallen Leaf Lake will be done at the project level. One goal of such a project will be to reduce traffic impacts on the southern end of the Fallen Leaf road. 3. Trailhead and other parking areas will be designed and constructed based upon project level plans. In some situations, they may be relocated to more suitable sites. Studies will be made to best determine how to effectively utilize public transportation and other alternatives to the automobile to serve the area.
4. Conflicts between recreation, wildlife and sensitive plants will be continuously evaluated to assure compatability. Rorippa communities will be protected. It recognized, however, that there is no way to complete ly protect all potential habitat without closing the beaches.
Fallen Leaf MA Forest Plan
5. Develop cultural resource management plans for the three estates, Camp Richardson, and Glen Alpine Springs Resort through a formal agreement between the State Historic Preservation Officer, the Advisory on Historic Preservation and the Forest Service. Involve interested members of the public in the development of these agreements. Where necessary, amend Camp Richardson's operating permit to ensure protection of the historic values inherent in the resort. Encourage creative approaches to rehabilitating and maintaining the historic structures.
VII. Specific Monitoring and Evaluation Requirements
Potential eagle nesting sites will be monitored to see if any are being occupied.
Fallen Leaf MA IV-92
LTBMU Forest Plan
Management Area Direction
Gross acres National Forest System Acres TRPA Plan Areas: 121 and 95 Unsuitable Timber Lands: All Acres
I. Description
The Freel Management Area includes national forest lands in the headwaters of Saxon and Trout creeks and portions of the Cold Creek and Grass Lake Creek watersheds. Private land at High Meadows and Fountain Place and a forty acre parcel are within the management area.
With the exception of small areas of Class 3 and 5 land near High Meadows and Fountain Place, the management area is classified as high erosion hazard. Vegetation varies from well stocked stands of mixed conifer on the slopes to barren alpine slopes above timber line on the higher peaks. Wet meadows are relatively common along the streams, creating a forage resource that is used by livestock and wildlife.
Developed access to the management area is presently limited to the Fountain Place road, Hell Hole jeep road and several trails. The Tahoe Rim Trail is providing improved nonmotorized access as it is constructed.
Existing recreation use is moderate, consisting of a few hikers, fishermen, horsemen, hunters, and users. Opportunities for these activities will increase as a result of improvement in dispersed recreation facilities such as trails and trailheads. Freel Peak, Star Lake, Hell Hole, and Freel Meadows are recreation attractions. There is an existing permit for helicopter skiing on Freel Peak and Jobs Peak.
The area provides summer range for the Carson mule deer herd. Alpine cushion plant communities near the summit of Freel Peak are known to contain one species of sensitive plant. The area will be evaluated to determine its suitability as a botanical special interest area. Several sites have been identified as potential habitat for reintroduction of Peregrine falcons.
11. Issues, Concerns, and Opportunities
1. The potential adverse impact of livestock grazing within riparian areas on water quality, fisheries, and deer fawning habitat is a concern.
2. The location, nature, and magnitude of existing and expanding recreation use is of concern. Recreation use could have adverse impacts on sensitive plant populations on Freel Peak, as on well as water quality, fish, grazing, and wildlife.
IV-95 Freel MA LTBMU Forest Plan 3. Public access through private land in Cold Creek, Willow Creek, and Trout Creek drainage is not guaranteed by right-of-way or easement. This concern is intensified by the fact that there are no good alternatives, especially in Cold Creek, for accessing national forest lands.
4. The degree to which OHV opportunities will be provided is highly controversial. OHV enthusiasts argue that motorized use can be with proper mitigation and that a motorized corridor over Armstrong Pass could provide access to suitable terrain for use on the Toiyabe National Forest. They believe that OHV enthusiasts would be more supportive of restrictions in the Tahoe Basin if they had a way to get out to other areas. Other interests believe that no motorized use should be allowed in the Freel Area. Some believe that even snowmobiles should be restricted because of conflicts with wildlife. Some OHV users continue to use closed portions of the management area, especially those areas near roads and residential areas. This unauthorized use has caused resource damage such as erosion in meadows. The noise and dust have disturbed adjacent residents, particularly in Christmas Valley. Designated OHV routes currently include the Fountain Place Road and Hell Hole Jeep Trail. The Saxon Creek Trail was designated in 1984 as open to the cabin near the corner of Section 3. Beyond the cabin, the Saxon Creek Trail has not been designated open to OHV use, however some illegal OHV use continues.
5. Many people feel that the area has a special for dispersed recreation because of its undeveloped condition, and that roads and trails should be kept to an absolute minimum. Others feel that the area can provide more recreation opportunities with appropriate development to improve access.
6. The appearance and utility of the electronic site on Freel Peak has been questioned. Consequently, the electronic site will be managed for minimum visibility and unused structures will be removed.
111. Resource Management Emphasis
The primary emphases in this management area are water quality protection and providing for a moderate level of dispersed motorized and nonmotorized recreation use. Grazing will continue, but modifications may be necessary where conflicts with wildlife, fish, and recreation are identified.
This direction is a change from the current management only in that the maintenance of Wilderness characteristics is no longer legally required. There is nothing in the new direction, however, that will significantly alter the present character of the unroaded and undeveloped portions of the management area. On-the-ground management will not differ greatly from past practices.
The desired condition for the Freel Management Area is that it will continue to be largely unroaded. access will be improved, including the addition of the Tahoe Rim Trail and several feeder trails. It will continue to provide high quality wildlife habitat and dispersed recreation opportunities.
Freel MA LTBMU Forest Plan
IV. Management Area Prescriptions
Prescription Acres
3 - Unroaded Recreation 16,000 10- Timber Stand Maintenance
V. Management Area Standards and Guidelines
Forestwide standards and guidelines apply. The following direction supplements them.
Practice Standard and Guideline
2- Dispersed Recreation Proposed expansion is PAOT for Facility Construction Fountain Place Trailhead.
7- Dispersed Recreation OHV activity is allowed on designated Management - Summer system roads and trails. Existing designated roads include the Fountain Place Road, and Hell Hole Jeep Trail. Armstrong Pass Trail Tucker Flat Trail Hell Hole Trail Star Lake Trail and the Tahoe Rim Trail will be managed for non-motorized summer recreation. Expansion of summer opportunities will be considered only in the area managed for timber stand maintenance.
8- Dispersed Recreation The area north of Fountain Place road Management - Winter is closed to over-the-snow vehicles. The area south of Fountain Place road, including the trail to Armstrong Pass, is open to over-the-snow vehicles.
Nonstructural Fish Maintain option to introduce Management Lahontan cutthroat trout into upper reaches of Saxon and Trout Creek.
VI. Proposed Resolution of Issues and Concerns
1. Existing grazing use will continue under the approved allotment management plan. Effects of grazing will continue to be monitored and decisions initiated to correct unacceptable adverse effects.
2. Location of sensitive plant populations. fish and wildlife habitat. and environmentally sensitive areas will be better defined, and all recreation development will be located to minimize impacts. If necessary, protective measures will be taken.
3. Improved trail access through or around private land will be sought. Where necessary, land purchase or right-of-way acquisition will be considered.
IV-97 MA LTBMU Forest Plan
4. Off-highway vehicle opportunities will be provided in areas managed under Timber Stand Maintenance prescription. New OHV routes may be designated these areas if analysis determines that effects can be mitigated. Where unauthorized use is occurring, routine law enforcement practices will be followed. Where resource damage is occurring, corrective action will be taken. In that portion of the management area managed for unroaded recreation, no summer routes will be designated or constructed. Volunteer assistance will be requested from the community to help manage use. Greater emphasis will be placed on monitoring and enforcement of illegal access.
5. The values of the undeveloped character of the Freel Management Area will be protected by constraining recreation development, such as trails, to the minimum required to provide reasonable public access.
6. The continuation of the Freel electronic site will be based upon a project level evaluation of need.
VII. Specific Monitoring and Evaluation Requirements
Monitor impacts of recreation and grazing on water quality and sensitive plants to determine if effects are successfully mitigated.
Freel MA
Forest Plan
Management Area Direction
Gross Acres National Forest System Acres
TRPA Plan Areas: 060, 081, 073, 075, 079, parts of 061, 062, 084, 080, 082
Unsuitable Timber Lands: All Acres
I. Description
The Genoa Management Area encompasses the generally steeper land on the east shore of Lake Tahoe bounded on the north by Highway (Spooner Grade) and on the west by Highway The eastern boundary follows the LTBMU boundary with Kingsbury Grade the southern boundary. The topography is generally steep, with predominantly high hazard land. Historical logging has resulted in a second growth stand of small size mixed conifer with some red fir and lodgepole pine. Aspen groves occur along the higher elevation drainages. Good quality mule deer summer range exists. The Lincoln Creek Roadless Area (6,665 acres) represents a large portion of the management area. The Genoa Peak road bisects the area along the eastern border of the roadless area.
Vegetative uniformity, unglaciated terrain and lack of water attractions render the area ordinary in appearance. with Castle Rock and Shakespeare Point the only scenic landmarks. However, views of Lake Tahoe, Carson Valley, and the Sierra Crest are spectacular.
The area is used lightly for hiking, OHV use and undeveloped camping in the summer, and for cross-country skiing and snowmobiling in the winter. The stables at Zephyr Cove Resort offer horseback rides into the area on some existing trails.
Issues, Concerns, and Opportunities
There have been no recent federal legislative wilderness proposals for Nevada. Hence, Congress has not discussed the Lincoln Creek Roadless Area. Historically, the area has attracted little interest from wilderness proponents, primarily because of its small size, lack of landmarks, and lack of high resource opportunities.
2. Although there is limited opportunity to develop dispersed recreation facilities in this management area due to the lack of major attractions, there is an opportunity to expand the horse trail network for Zephyr Cove Resort and to develop a trail to Castle Rock. There may also be an opportunity to improve snowmobile access.
IV-101 Genoa MA LTBMU Forest Plan
3. Early successional stage management of aspen stands has been proposed to enhance deer fawning and feeding areas. Since many of the large aspen have old Basque sheepherder carvings, cutting or damaging the trees may conflict with cultural resource goals.
111. Resource Management Emphasis
The major resource emphasis of this area will continue to be a variety of motorized and nonmotorized forms of recreation. The existing road system will be maintained for recreational vehicle use, while reducing the erosion impacts.
Although the conditions on the ground will not change significantly, this management direction is a change from the current in that wilderness values need no longer be preserved.
Desired future condition would be for an area of low intensity management, with the existing unroaded portion remaining unroaded. The remainder of the area would have low standard system roads suitable for travel. Vegetation conditions would not change significantly except for a natural shift toward older age classes.
IV. Management Area Prescriptions
Prescription Acres
3 - Unroaded Recreation - Roaded Recreation 10- Timber Stand Maintenance 985 12- Urban Lots (not mapped) 259 V. Management Area Standards and Guidelines
Forestwide standards and guidelines apply. The following direction supplements them:
Practice Standard and Guideline
2- Dispersed Recreation Provide trailhead parking for approximately Construction 35 PAOT, in the vicinity of Daggett Pass.
7- Dispersed Recreation Allow activity on designated routes Management - Summer only. Maintain the Genoa Peak Road for high clearance and four wheel drive use only. Add roughness and challenge to the road while protecting water quality.
8- Dispersed Recreation Allow over-the-snow vehicles throughout the Management - Winter entire area. Issue no new outfitter guide permits for motorized winter use.
Genoa MA IV-102 LTBMU Forest Plan
12-Nonstructural Enhance the mule deer habitat with vegetation Wildlife Management management.
VI. Proposed Resolution of Issues and Concerns
1. The Lincoln Creek Roadless Area was analyzed for Wilderness and nonwilderness values as one of the forestwide planning issues. The result of that analysis was to not recommend the area for Wilderness.
2. Opportunities to expand the trail network and some OHV use would be evaluated and implemented at the project level based on forestwide priorities or on the plans developed for the Zephyr Cove Resort.
3. The benefits to be from early successional stage management in Aspen stands will be evaluated at the project level with Nevada Department of Fish and Game. Such an evaluation would consider methods for recording or otherwise mitigating the impacts to the Basque carvings and the temporary loss of scenic values in the area.
Specific Monitoring and Evaluation Requirements
None at this time.
Genoa MA - 1 Forest Plan
Management Area Direction
HEAVENLY VALLEY
9.868 Gross Acres National Forest System Acres TRPA Plan Areas: 082, 086, 087, 088, 5,288 In Basin part of 080, and land outside basin. 2,120 Outside Basin Unsuitable Timber Lands: All Acres
I. Description
The area is primarily that land which is under special use permit to Heavenly Valley for construction, operation and maintenance of a ski resort. Topography is generally steep with most slopes in excess of The entire area within the Lake Tahoe hydrographic boundary is considered high hazard land. Although not included in the land capability rating system, the area outside the basin boundary is of similar character. Except where ski runs have been cleared, the area is forested. Subalpine forest conditions prevail at the higher
Heavenly Valley Ski Area began in in California at the edge of the City of South Lake Tahoe. In 1965 the resort expanded to the Nevada side. There are currently 22 lifts with the combined uphill designed capacity of 20,800 As many as 12,000 people have been served by the resort on a peak day. Heavenly accounted for about 352,000 RVD of recreation in (220,000 RVD of skiing and RVD of other recreation). Although base facilities on both the California and Nevada sides of the area are on privately owned land, several day lodges and food service facilities are situated at mid-level locations on national forest land as is a storage and maintenance shop for hill grooming and lift maintenance equipment. The Top of the Tram Restaurant is popular year-round, providing excellent viewing of the basin. The ski area is equipped with extensive snowmaking facilities on the California side and snowmaking is to be installed in Nevada.
11. Issues, Concerns and Opportunities
1. Ski trails are the most significant visual man-made alteration of the national forest landscape at Lake Tahoe. Modest attempts to soften the effects with feathered tree removal along the edges of cleared ski trails has not successfully reduced the visual impact.
2. Removal of boulders, tree stumps and other obstacles as well as shaping of terrain on ski trails has resulted in substantial soil disturbance, leading to high rates of soil erosion and nutrient transport to Lake Tahoe. The decomposed granite soils are difficult to stabilize and revegetate. Since about major efforts have been made to stabilize eroding areas and establish protective cover of low vegetation at a cost in excess of $3 million. Although many acres of disturbed area have been stabilized, water quality standards have not been attained for much of the area. Major failures of some erosion structures occurred during a severe localized summer thunderstorm in requiring extensive repairs.
Heavenly MA LTBMU Forest Plan
Recent ski run clearing techniques with over-the-snow logging and spot blasting of rocks promises to be less disturbing to the landscape.
3. Optimum use of the area for skiing will continue to require modification of lifts, additional lifts, snowmaking facilities, and trail modifications. These improvements may occur without an increase in skiing capacity.
4. There is considerable opportunity to expand skiing capacity at Heavenly Valley. This has been estimated at new skiers at one time (SAOT) on the California side and 3,600 new SAOT on the Nevada side outside the basin. Some of the expansion may be outside the boundary of this management area. Expansion will be controversial because of the potential effects upon water and air quality. Furthermore, parking facilities will not be allowed to expand in the basin. Access is therefore dependent upon alternative transportation systems. Heavenly Valley began bus service in and as of 1984 has 9 busses in operation.
5. Water rights allocation in the basin may limit the amount of water available for irrigation and snowmaking.
6. Security of improvements, hazards from equipment, and sensitivity of erosion control work has limited the extent of summer recreation use in the area. There remain opportunities to expand summer recreation through the construction of hiking trails such as the Tahoe Rim Trail.
111. Resource Management Emphasis
Alpine skiing will continue to be the emphasis throughout most of the management area. However, the steep northwest facing slopes of East Peak and the slopes into Cold Creek will be managed to protect the watershed and to serve as a visual backdrop.
This direction differs from current management in that ski area development may be planned and implemented beyond that which is allowed in the current master development plan.
The desired future condition is a' quality ski resort with ski runs and other disturbed areas stabilized to reduce the potential for soil erosion. Some improvement in the visual quality of the area will be noticeable.
IV. Management Area Prescription
Prescription Acres
2 - Alpine Skiing 4,200 9 - Maintenance 2.811 10- Timber Maintenance 12- Urban Lots (not mapped) 212
Heavenly MA IV-106 LTBMU Forest Plan
V. Area Standards and Guidelines
Forestwide standards and guidelines apply. The following direction supplements them: Practice Standard and Guideline
Downhill Skiing Revise the 1966 Heavenly Valley Ski Area Master Development Plan to incorporate the requirements of the revised forest plan and the revised Regional Plan.
Allow an aerial tramway or other conveyance from the casino core area to East Peak or to the California base facilities to be considered for skier access to the mountain.
Maximum enlargement of the ski area will be SAOT over the present level inside the basin and 3,600 SAOT outside the basin.
Use the "Summer Site Operation Plan", and as annually amended, as a guide for administration of erosion control projects, visual rehabilitation, run improvements, and lift construction or reconstruction.
Use the "Operation and Avalanche Plan", as amended, as a guide for administration of winter activities within the ski area.
7- Dispersed Recreation Explore opportunities to make the area more Management - Summer accessible for nonmotorized dispersed recreation.
Maintain the OHV closure.
Maintain the camping closure.
8- Dispersed Recreation Maintain the closure. Management - Winter
9- Visual Quality Defer tree removal for visual enhancement until there is substantial groundcover of vegetation on ski trails in the areas planned for visual treatment.
Use a test section to determine effectiveness of visual restoration techniques before employing on all trails.
Structures and improvements will be attractive and harmonious with a rural mountain ski development setting as viewed in the foreground.
107 Heavenly MA LTBMU Forest Plan
12- Nonstructural Wildlife Assure that the major mule deer migration Habitat Management corridor is not obstructed.
25- Special Cut Aerial techniques or over-the-snow skidding will be the standard method for yarding.
Water Use Management Obtain water rights sufficient to irrigate stabilization projects and for snowmaking.
Water Quality Continue to treat the sources of soil erosion Maintenance and Improvement Emphasize use of native drought-tolerant species in revegetation projects.
Assure that use of fertilizer, snow augmenta tion chemicals and irrigation water is not excessive.
Activities designed to enhance the quality of skiing, such as run widening and terrain modification, will proceed in concert with stabilization of disturbed areas.
46- Trail Construction Locate the Rim Trail to have least impact upon ski improvements and operations, while providing high quality hiking opportunities. If feasible, provide vistas of Lake Tahoe.
VI. Proposed Resolution of Issues and Concerns
1. Visual impacts of ski trails will not be resolved in the near term. Natural and man-assisted revegetation may soften the visual contrast between the ski trails and adjacent forest land over the long term. The "feathering" landscaping technique commonly used to make ski trails will be used sparingly because of the adverse water quality effects of large scale tree removal. Use of darker color shrubs on the runs may provide a solution to the undesirable color contrast.
2. Erosion control will continue to receive major emphasis. Plans will be prepared annually for stabilizing and revegetating areas including the installation of additional irrigation systems. Maintenance of revegetation and structures will be performed on an annual basis. Research will continue on high altitude revegetation. 3. Improvements will be made to optimize the quality of skiing based upon annual assessments of the skiing situation with the operator.
4. Skiing opportunities will be expanded through the replacement of old facilities with higher capacity lifts and through implementation of a revised master plan. Air quality and traffic impacts of an enlarged ski area will be accomplished through the transport of visitors to the base facilities by other means than the automobile.
Heavenly MA LTBMU Forest Plan
5. California and Nevada will appropriate water based upon requests from all interested parties.
6. Realizing the excellent opportunities to enhance dispersed recreation will be a high priority in negotiations with the operators of the Heavenly Valley Ski Area as part of special use permit administration.
Specific Monitoring and Evaluation Requirements
Continue the intensive monitoring of water quality and soil erosion to assure effectiveness of erosion control work on stabilizing disturbed areas and reducing other sources of nutrients in surface and ground water.
Evaluate with the the City of South Lake Tahoe, and Douglas County the effectiveness of alternative transportation systems to base facilities to relieve congestion, and reduce vehicle miles traveled. Monitoring and evaluation should be ongoing as each increment of expansion occurs.
Heavenly MA
LTBMU Forest Plan
Management Area Direction
RIVER
1.188 Gross Acres National Forest System Acres TRPA Planning Areas: 003 and Miles of Lake Tahoe Shoreline: Unsuitable Timber Lands: All Acres 0.6 Total 0.1 USFS 0.1 State 0.0 Local Gov't 0.4 Private
I. Description
This management area is located on both sides of the Truckee River from the LTBMU boundary just south of River Ranch to the lakeshore at Tahoe City. It includes the steep lands which make up the river canyon as well as the river and highway corridors. The area is mostly high hazard land, undeveloped and in public ownership. The parcel known as "the 64 Acres" is included in this management area.
The area southwest of the river is well stocked with stands of mixed conifer (white fir and Jeffrey pine) sawtimber. The area northeast of the river to the ridge is largely brushfields and rock outcrops. The area has few roads other than the Highway trail corridor along the river, and short spur roads to the summer homes and private parcels along the river.
This corridor is the only access to Alpine Meadows and Squaw Valley ski areas from Tahoe Basin tourist and residential accommodations. It is also one of the main access routes to Lake Tahoe from outside the basin. Traffic frequently exceeds the designed capacity of Highway 89.
Several papers have been written about this management area including: Truckee River Canyon - Recreation Uses and Impacts-by Cynthia Kayser, Position Statement for Lower Truckee River Corridor Environmental Plan by Steve Werner, 1982; Environmental Assessment (Draft) on Recreational Impacts on the Truckee River by Frank Magary, 64 Acre Tract Restoration Plan, by Carolyn Bittner, 1984; A Plan for the Sixty-four Acres, Tahoe City, California, Environmental Assessment by Frank Magary, November, 1986.
Additional information and documentation is on file in the recreation department.
11. Issues, Concerns, and Opportunities
1. The Truckee 89 corridor compacts a large amount of recreation use into a small area: rafting, fishing, picnicking, swimming, bicycling, cross-country skiing, and sightseeing are some of the activities. Problems
IV- 111 Lower Truckee River MA LTBMU Forest Plan
associated with such concentrated use include parking, litter, lack of adequate toilet facilities, soil erosion, vegetative trampling, and trespass on private land. Concern for visual quality in this intensively-viewed area is high.
transportation plan contemplates eventual improvement in the capacity of Highway 89. The space to accommodate the highway, closely confined by the river and the steep (frequently unstable) canyon slopes, makes widening a possibly serious environmental impact.
2. Administrative responsibilities in this area are widely distributed. The State Transportation Department (CalTrans) is responsible for management of Highway 89. Tahoe City sewer is buried beneath the paved bicycle path which runs along the river, and administers the bike path as well. The Forest Service administers two summer home tracts in the area. Placer County is responsible for law enforcement and administers recreation use on the river. The primary agency dealing with people problems is the Placer County Sheriff's Department.
The county rafting ordinance requires daily cleanup of litter. placement and maintenance of trash barrels, twice weekly cleanup of river bottom by snorkeling. and placement and maintenance of toilets by the two permittees that rent rafts for the four-mile river run.
3. The 64 Acres provides some notable opportunities and potential administrative problems. The 64 Acres had been administered by the Bureau of Reclamation until ownership passed to the Forest Service in 1984. In accordance with a federal court order, the residents of the mobile home park and other businesses were required to relocate. Future uses of the area will include a visitor information or interpretive center, parking for day use along the river and beach, and access to the river for public rafting. Other potential uses include traffic bypasses on Highway 89 and Highway 28 to relieve congestion at the Y, a transit terminal, some community parking, bike paths, and a trailhead for the Tahoe Rim Trail. A final decision on site- specific arrangements for the 64 Acres will result from a formal planning process involving the participation of the State Parks, the TCPUD, CalTrans, TRPA, Placer County, and local interest groups.
111. Resource Management Emphasis
Intensive dispersed recreation is the emphasis in this management area. Visitors entering the area along Highway should enjoy an attractive "entry experience" into the basin of Lake Tahoe. This direction is very similar to that which is currently followed.
IV. Management Area Prescriptions
Prescription Acres
1- Developed Recreation 85 5- Intensive Dispersed Recreation 759 7- Administrative Site 1
Lower Truckee River MA 112 LTBMU Forest Plan
V. Management Area Standards and Guidelines
Forestwide standards and guidelines apply. The following direction supplements them:
Practice Standard and Guideline
1- Recreation Construction Coordinate the development of recreational facilities and uses on the 64 Acres with local governments and citizen groups and with the State Parks, CalTrans, and TRPA. Development of the 64 Acres will accommodate no more than 245 PAOT of new public recreation use.
3- Private Sector Recreation Recreation residences will not be allowed to enlarge in capacity or in land coverage.
7- Dispersed Recreation No overnight camping in this management Management area. No permits for winter outfitter guides will be issued.
35- Land Resource Use the EIS prepared for the 64 Acre tract by Management Planning the Bureau of Reclamation and the Forest Service "A Plan for the Sixty-four Acre Tract" (Nov. 1986) as a guide for site development on the tract.
36- Special Land Uses, Allow the "chimney" portion of the 64 Acres Nonrecreational tract north of the river to be utilized for public services.
Title to national forest and private lands along the river had been clouded by the "Lanfar Deed", which claimed for Sierra Pacific Power Company (SPP) title to lands within 100 feet of the river. In a suit and appeal filed by Sierra Pacific (May June the courts found that SPP Company's rights consist of no more than an easement for water and power purposes.
VI. Proposed Resolution of Issues and Concerns
1. The number of toilets along the river should be increased, and signs directing rafters and bicyclers to the toilets should be added. Easements for widening of Highway will not be granted until a thorough environmental analysis is done and shows no unacceptable impacts to recreation and riparian vegetation, and no likelihood of mass landslides. Vegetative disturbance and erosion control along the river will be dealt with by installing especially protective or site hardening practices where impacts have or are most apt to occur. The cost of this work should
IV-113 Lower Truckee River MA LTBMU Forest Plan
be shared between the Forest Service, river rafting concessionaires and other recreation providers such as the TCPUD and CalTrans.
2. Consideration should be given to developing a cooperative agreement among the agencies having authority in the corridor, that clearly defines areas of responsibility.
VII. Specific Monitoring and Evaluation Requirements
Monitor the effects of rafting upon the riparian zone along the river.
Lower Truckee River MA IV-114 IV-115 I i
i -----+I i i I &-- i i i I d- I
I I LTBMU Forest Plan
Management Area Direction " Gross Acres 4,849 National Forest TRPA Planning Areas: 057 and 058 Nevada State Park Unsuitable Timber Lands: All Acres Miles of Lake Tahoe Shoreline: 1.9 Total 1.9 Private
I. Description
The area extends north from the Highway corridor at Spooner Summit to near Incline Village on the northeast side of Lake Tahoe. Marlette Lake, a domestic water supply reservoir for Carson City located on State Park land, and a brood trout rearing area, is a dominant natural feature. So is Spooner Lake, a shallow recreation and fishing lake. The Nevada State Park system operates a day use picnic site and trailhead at Spooner Summit. This is the south end of North Canyon and it includes a popular hiking and riding trail that extends through the park. The Rim Trail parallels this trail but on the Carson Range ridge line. Several small, partially improved walk-in camp sites are maintained along the trail by the State. These are maintained by a service road. In the winter the Spooner site is converted into a commercially operated nordic ski center.
Most of the area is high hazard land. In the vicinity of Spooner Summit, Lower Prey Meadow (Slaughterhouse Canyon), and several other areas, there is moderate and low hazard land. Much of the area was logged in the Comstock period, except for the steep, rocky. high elevation portions that were logged after 1950. Cultural of the Comstock logging remain, including a historic railroad grade leading from Glenbrook through Slaughterhouse Canyon to Spooner Summit. Osprey have nested at Marlette Lake and at least two goshawk nesting sites exist. Slaughterhouse Canyon is good deer summer range and fawning habitat. It is part of the Carson River deer herd area.
Issues, Concerns, and Opportunities
1. As public use increases there is concern for the protection of the watershed as a community water supply. Nevada State Assembly Bill No. (May required that cooperative agreements or other measures be used to assure that all landowners and interested parties assist in the protection.
Vehicular access into Slaughterhouse Canyon is lacking for resource management, except for limited access granted case-by-case over the private roads in Glenbrook. This canyon also has excellent dispersed recreation opportunities, but the deer habitat could be adversely affected by excessive recreation use.
IV-117 Marlette MA Forest Plan
3. The intermingled national forest and Nevada State Park lands need to be cooperatively planned to assure that recreation and other resources are managed in a compatible manner. There is opportunity to add to the developments at Spooner to better serve the public, especially those seeking information about the Lake Tahoe area as they enter the basin.
111. Resource Management Emphasis
Semi-primitive nonmotorized recreation will be emphasized throughout most of the area, with the exception of land suitable for more intensive recreation use and development in the vicinity of Spooner Lake.
This direction is a continuation of current management, except that greater emphasis will be placed on coordination of recreation development with the Nevada State Park System. Also, there is not the limitation on recreation construction that existed in previous direction.
The desired future condition is to plan and develop a recreation complex at Spooner Lake to inform and serve visitors arriving at Lake Tahoe and to provide access to the varied, dispersed recreation opportunities available in the area both in the summer and winter. Vegetation will be managed to maintain health and diversity, and conditions suitable for recreation development.
IV. Management Area Prescriptions
Prescription 1 - Developed Recreation 288 3 - Unroaded Recreation . 7 - Administrative Site 2 10- Timber Stand Maintenance
V. Management Area Standards and Guidelines
Forestwide standards and guidelines apply. The following direction supplements them:
Practice Standard and Guideline
1- Recreation Construction Proposed expansion is 200 PAOT in the vicinity of Spooner Lake. Present plans call for campgrounds, visitor center, trailhead and snow play area.
Marlette MA IV-118 LTBMU Forest Plan
7- Dispersed Recreation Direct overnight to areas Management - Summer outside the Marlette Lake watershed. the closure. Vehicles may travel on forest development roads west of Highways and 28.
8- Dispersed Recreation Provide parking for winter access at Management - Winter Spooner Summit including a snowmobile staging area.
The management area is closed to over-the-snow vehicles except the Slaughterhouse Canyon area. No new outfitter guide permits will be issued.
9- Visual Quality Continue to improve the visual appearance of the Spooner Summit Fire Station.
10- Cultural Resources In cooperation with the Nevada State Parks, evaluate the significance "of the historic Slaughterhouse Canyon and associated railroad grade, and provide interpretation of the grade.
Water Uses Management Assure that activities occurring within the Marlette Lake watershed are not detrimental to the domestic water supply of Carson City.
37- Withdrawals Seek withdrawal of the Marlette Lake watershed from mineral prospecting and development.
41- Landownership Adjustment Work with the State of Nevada toward 42- Land Acquisition public ownership of the entire Marlette Lake watershed to protect the domestic water supply.
Cooperatively plan and implement land exchanges with the Nevada State Park System to improve each agency's ability to serve the public.
46- Road Maintenance Cooperate with the State of Nevada in the maintenance of a forest road system adequate for administrative purposes. Keep vehicular travel, such as to Snow Valley Peak electronic site (Toiyabe National Forest), at a low level so as not to detract from the nonmotorized recreation experience.
Marlette MA Forest Plan
Trail Construction/ Reconstruct the abandoned road from Reconstruction Highway 28 to Marlette Lake Dam as a nonmotorized hiking and riding trail.
Develop a trail from Highway 28 into Slaughterhouse Canyon.
Facilities Operation and Either construct a new fire station at Maintenance Spooner Summit administrative site or move to co-locate with the Tahoe-Douglas Fire District Station nearby if the opportunity provided.
VI. Proposed Resolution of Issues and Concerns
1. The watershed for domestic water supply will be protected by following the special management directions established for the area as agreed upon by the Forest Service and the State of Nevada in the Management Plan.
2. Obtain unrestricted access for administrative purposes into Slaughterhouse Canyon.
3. Detailed plans, especially for recreation use and development, will be cooperatively prepared with the Nevada Division of Parks and Recreation. Until the detailed plan is prepared, individual projects will be reviewed for compatibility with each agency's goals. The plan should consider the opportunity to achieve the benefits of more efficient management through landownership adjustment.
Specific Monitoring and Evaluation Requirements
Annually assess the conditions for deer foraging and osprey nesting.
Marlette MA IV-120 IV-121 MANAGEMENT AREA LTBMU Forest Plan
Management Area Direction
Gross Acres 3,921 National Forest System Acres TFPA Planning Area: Martis Miles of Lake Tahoe Shoreline: Unsuitable Timber Lands: All acres Total State 0.4 Local Gov't 1.0 Private
I. Description
This management area is located north of the community of Kings Beach. It is bounded on the west by Highway on the north by the LTBMU boundary, and on the south by the north shore of Lake Tahoe. The eastern boundary follows the state line north into Section 18, then up the ridge to the Toiyabe National Forest boundary.
Fifty percent of the area is relatively flat, low to moderate hazard (land capability class 3 through 7). The remaining area is steeper and is high hazard (land capability class 1 and 2). The ownership pattern is changing rapidly towards public ownership. The Forest Service and the California Tahoe Conservancy have already acquired several properties in this area and will probably purchase most of the remaining large undeveloped parcels.
The area is well timbered with mixed conifer and red fir. Section 18 was logged in the Much of the remaining area was in the late The area is well roaded as a result of these past timber activities. The LTBMU timber sale program includes several firewood and sawlog sales in this management area (see Appendix C). Increasing the proportion of the area in openings and early successional stage vegetation will improve the summer habitat used by the Truckee Loyalton deer herd and other wildlife.
The property lines adjacent to the urban areas in Sections 12 and 18 were reestablished in 1984. Several instances of trespass exist in this vicinity.
Because of its proximity to residential and recreation areas, and the ease of road access, the area receives much diverse recreational use. During the winter and summer, local residents enjoy adjacent forest lands for dispersed recreation of all kinds. Off-road vehicles originating in the Kings Beach area utilize the roads and trails in this area. The view from Stateline Lookout and Martis Peak is spectacular, making both areas popular destinations for both tourists and locals out for a drive.
There are many opportunities to increase the recreation capacity through construction of facilities and trails. The proposed route of the Rim Trail passes near the northern boundary of the management area with the northeast quarter of Section 2 a likely location for a major trailhead. An area in Section 18 is identified as being suitable for developed recreation; however, the most appropriate type of developed site has not been determined. Expansion
IV-123 Martis MA LTBMU Forest Plan of recreation capacity on the north shore offers an opportunity to better distribute developed on the national forest around the lake.
A small reservoir managed by North Tahoe Public Utility District (special use permit) is located at the north end of Section 18 on Griff Creek. This reservoir stores drinking water for residents in the area of Cambridge Drive.
11. Issues, Concerns, and Opportunities
1. The popularity of the area for OHV use could lead to conflicts on the Rim Trail and with other nonmotorized recreation. Transportation planning, including design and location of hiking and OHV routes, should work toward minimizing this potential conflict. The large number of temporary roads and closed routes resulting from timber management activities will make OHV enforcement difficult. OHV use on the edge of local communities will continue to displease many residents.
2. Unauthorized occupancy along the urban interface is likely to continue as a management problem.
111. Resource Management Emphasis
Within much of the area the emphasis will be on meeting the recreation, scenic, and special uses demands of the large visiting and urban population. Most of the recreation use will be a variety of dispersed activities, but some developed facilities will be constructed.
Off-road vehicles will continue to use the area but only on designated routes and on system roads. The roads in the area will be maintained or closed.
The desired future condition will be a healthy and diverse forest that can support the variety and intensity of recreation and other activities demanded by the large local and visiting population.
This area will experience more vegetation management activities than most other parts of the basin. The forest would consist of small, even-aged, well stocked stands which will be moderately productive for both timber and wildlife. Diversity including quality riparian zones and brush fields, will be maintained.
The main difference between this direction and previous direction is the increased emphasis on improving the condition of vegetation, managing OHV activities and increasing recreation capacity.
Martis MA IV-124 ~
~
LTBMU Forest Plan
IV. Management Area Prescriptions
Prescriptions Acres
3- Unroaded Recreation 282 7- Administrative Site 1 10- Timber Stand Maintenance 1,060 11- Reduced Timber 2,578
V. Management Area Standards and Guidelines
Forestwide standards and guidelines apply. The following direction supplements them:
Practice Standard and Guideline
1 - Recreation and VIS Site Recreation capacity is proposed to increase by PAOT. Precise location and nature of facilities will be determined in project level planning. Potential sites will be managed to preserve options for future development.
2 - Dispersed Recreation The Kings Beach OHV area should be managed as Construction described in that Environmental Assessment Report. The Kings Beach area will be limited to 75 PAOT, and Brockway Summit Trailhead parking will be limited to PAOT.
7 - Dispersed Recreation The Rim Trail and associated staging area, Management - Summer feeder trails, and will be given full consideration in planning this area but should not overly constrain other activities such as wildlife habitat improvement, watershed restoration or timber harvest.
A system of summer OHV routes will be designated to provide high quality opportunities away from residential areas where resource concerns can be mitigated. Most routes will be designated on existing roads, however short segments may be constructed to complete loops and avoid highly sensitive areas.
8 - Dispersed Recreation The area is open to over-the-snow vehicles. Management - Winter Issue no new outfitter guides for winter motorized use.
IV-125 Martis MA LTBMU Forest Plan
VI. Proposed Resolution of Issues and Concerns
1. Transportation planning will work to minimize the potential and nonmotorized trail conflicts. A vigorous program of watershed restoration, control of unauthorized access, and enforcement of illegal OHV use will reduce water quality impacts and conflicts with the adjacent residential use.
2. Illegal occupancy will be dealt with by a combination of neighborhood cooperation and enforcement.
VII. Specific Monitoring and Evaluation Requirements
Check roads that have been closed to vehicle travel to assure that stabilization has occurred and that restrictions and closures are effective.
Martis MA IV-126 IV-127 I
m LTBMU Forest Plan
Management Area Direction
Gross Acres 4,082 National Forest System Acres TRPA Plan Areas: part of Miles of Shoreline: Unsuitable Timber Lands: All Acres 3.8 Total 1.1 State 0.2 Local Gov't 2.5 Private
I. Description
This area includes the watersheds between Sugar Pine Point and Homewood. with McKinney Creek the major drainage. The topography is moderately steep, with predominately high hazard land. There is some low hazard land at the lower elevations. Most of the area is forested with mixed conifer and red fir. McKinney and Lily Lakes are shallow lakes on McKinney Creek and are waterfowl feeding and nesting areas.
The area is popular with OHV users. The County Road is a nationally known jeep route being considered for designation by Congress as a National Recreation OHV Trail. Placer County reconstructed the road in to install drainage and reduce soil erosion. Other popular routes go to Ellis Peak, Ellis Lake, Buck Lake, and Noonchester Mine. In the Forest Service designated some of these routes as system roads. Others not needed for management or OHV use are to be closed and revegetated. This step was taken to reduce erosion. (McKinney Rubicon Road Network EA, decision signed July 1983). The Miller Lake area on the Tahoe National Forest can be reached via a high standard road through Barker Pass (see Blackwood Management Area).
Sheep graze the Miller Lake allotment which is located in this management area. It is part of a permit administered by the Tahoe National Forest.
The southern edge of the management area is part of the Pyramid roadless area. The California Wilderness Act released Pyramid for nonwilderness uses.
Issues, Concerns, and Opportunities
1. The bowl above the Homewood Ski Ski Bowl complex has been identified as suitable for expansion of alpine skiing facilities. Any expansion would involve both private and national forest lands. Ski area expansion and development at Lake Tahoe is a very controversial subject because of the potential impacts on visual and water quality, traffic congestion, and air quality.
2. McKinney Creek has the potential to be upgraded to an excellent migratory fish habitat. Presently, the stretch below McKinney Lake is rated as only marginal because of erosion and siltation problems.
IV-129 McKinney MA ~~~ ~~ I LTBMU Forest Plan
111. Resource Management Emphasis
The major resource emphasis in this management area will be semi-primitive motorized recreation. The road system will be maintained primarily for OHV use as long as water quality standards can be A portion of the area may be managed for potential ski area development.
This direction differs from current management in that ski area expansion may be considered. Previous direction prevented new recreation development until a forest plan was completed, unless such development had been approved prior to 1980.
The desired future condition is to maintain the existing challenge and opportunity for motorized recreation use and for potential ski expansion. Health and diversity of vegetation will be maintained or improved where accessible by roads. Waterfowl and deer fawning habitat will be preserved and enhanced, and the migratory fish habitat will be upgraded.
IV. Management Area Prescriptions
Prescription Acres
2 - Alpine Skiing-Potential 760 - Roaded Recreation - Maintenance 139 10- Timber Stand Maintenance 989 12- Urban Lots (not mapped) 54
V. Management Area Standards and Guidelines
Forestwide standards and guidelines apply. The following direction supplements them:
Practice Standard and Guideline
4- Downhill Skiing Maximum capacity for facilities on national forest land will not exceed 650 PAOT.
Approval of new skiing improvements will be through a master development plan.
7- Dispersed Recreation Recognize the national significance of the Management - Summer Road in making decisions for the road standard. OHV use will be limited to system roads. Develop an OHV staging area for the Road.
8- Dispersed Recreation Maintain area open to over-the-snow vehicles. Management - Winter Issue no motorized outfitter guide permits.
McKinney LTBMU Forest Plan
15-Non-Structural Upgrade McKinney Creek to excellent condition Fish Habitat for migratory fish habitat.
20-Range Allotment Coordinate with the Tahoe National Forest in Management administration of the Miller Lake Allotment to assure BMP and compliance with water quality standards.
46-Road Maintenance Follow up as necessary until the revegetation established to ensure that road closures are maintained.
VI. Proposed Resolution of Issues and Concerns 1. The opportunity for potential expansion at Homewood Ski Area will be maintained. However, the decision on actual development will not be made until after a proposal is made and a site-specific analysis and master development plan are completed. All affected parties will be involved to assess the feasibility and demand for expanded ski facilities, and to assure that the environmental thresholds can be met.
2. The fishery in McKinney Creek will be upgraded to an excellent rating through watershed restoration work, primarily in conjunction with the roads.
Specific Monitoring and Evaluation Requirements
None at this time.
IV-131 McKinney MA mc LTBMU Forest Plan
Management Area Direction
Gross Acres National Forest System Acres TRPA Plan Areas: 148, 153, Miles of Lake Tahoe Shoreline: and part of 152 2.9 Total Unsuitable Timber Lands: All Acres 0.5 1.0 State 1.4 Private
I. Description
The Meeks Management Area includes the Meeks and General Creek drainages outside of Desolation Wilderness. Most of the area is high hazard land, with the exception of the valley bottom in General Creek. The valley of Meeks Creek is stream environment zone.
At the mouth of Meeks Creek is the Meeks Bay Resort and Marina which is maintained and operated by a concessionaire in accordance with the special use permit and master development plan. This area was the site of a dwarf mistletoe suppression project in 1983-84. South of the creek, the Forest Service has redeveloped the campground, lowering the density from pre-Forest Service ownership of 200 to a current 40 units. There is also parking for the beach. The old service station is now used as a fire station and information contact point. Trailhead parking for the Meeks Creek entrance to Desolation Wilderness is primarily on the shoulder of Highway 89. The TRPA Plan calls for an additional PAOT of overnight camping in Sugar Pine Point State Park.
Much of this management area is not currently accessed by road. A decision in July (see the Road Network EA) closed the road to Lost and Duck lakes. About half of the management area is in the Pyramid roadless area. The California Wilderness Act released Pyramid for nonwilderness uses.
Issues, Concerns, and Opportunities
1. There is no national forest land suitable for expansion of developed recreation facilities in this management area. The existing sites at the resort and the Forest Service campground are partly in a stream environment zone. When the Forest Service acquired the land in it reduced the intensity of development and use of the lakeshore and SEZ. Although this is substantially completed, a number of management problems remain. Flooding has occurred in the campground. Many lodgepole pines in the campground have died. Stream banks continue to erode. The marina and highway bridge is believed to impede fish migration in the stream. The marina also causes water stagnation and requires periodic dredging. Further redevelopment is needed in this area to restore parts of the SEZ and the scenic corridor. This redevelopment must be carefully planned so as to not reduce the resort operation below economic viability.
IV-133 Meeks MA LTBMU Forest Plan
2. The extensive area of dead or dying lodgepole pine in the meadow on Meeks Creek is a visual and fire hazard concern. Trees were killed by insects and fluctuating water levels. Salvaging the timber for firewood has been difficult because of the stream environment zone. A winter skyline yarding operation was successful on about 5 acres when the snow conditions were ideal. This occurs infrequently. As the dead trees begin to fall, stream channel stability and water quality problems are expected, and fire hazard will increase. Meeks Creek meadow could be enhanced for wildlife with the removal of more trees and the creating of small water impoundments for waterfowl.
111. Resource Management Emphasis
Emphasis for management will be for developed recreation on the existing site and for wildlife habitat and nonmotorized recreation on the remainder. This direction is essentially a continuation of current management, except that a portion of the area previously managed for roaded recreation will be unroaded.
The desired future condition is to maintain the existing uses while enhancing environmental quality through habitat and water quality improvement projects.
IV. Management Area Prescriptions
Prescription
1- Developed Recreation 3- Unroaded Recreation 7- Administrative Sites 5 8- Wetlands 345 12- Urban Lots (not mapped) 43
V. Management Area Standards and Guidelines
Forestwide standards and guidelines apply. The following direction supplements them: Practice Standard and Guideline
2- Dispersed Recreation Design and construct trailhead parking Site Construction for the Meeks Creek trail into Desolation. Parking should be off of the highway to improve the scenic corridor.
7- Dispersed Recreation Maintain closure to use. Management - Summer
8- Dispersed Recreation Maintain closure to over-the-snow Management - Winter vehicles.
Meeks MA LTBMU Forest Plan
10- Cultural Resources Evaluate the historical significance of Management the older structures at Meeks Bay Resort and the cabins across Highway from the resort, and manage them approp riately.
12- Nonstructural Wildlife Evaluate potential for managing a por Habitat Management tion of the area for bald eagle nesting.
Early Successional Create openings throughout the Meeks Stage Management Creek meadow to improve waterfowl and other riparian habitat needs.
Nonstructural Fish Remove barriers to fish migration along Habitat Improvement Meeks Creek.
16- Structural Wildlife Construct water impoundments in Meeks Habitat Improvement Creek meadow to enhance waterfowl nesting and foraging.
Structural Fish Install a structure in Meeks Creek below Habitat Improvement the highway bridge to aid fish migration.
Special Cutting Use this practice to create wildlife openings and to utilize the timber in Meeks Creek meadow.
Water Use Management Obtain the necessary water rights to water impoundments for waterfowl habitat.
Water Quality Maintenance Install water quality improvement Improvement measures at the resort and on roads.
Road and Trail Closure Maintain the road closure to Lost Lake.
38- Rights-of-way Obtain an unrestricted administrative right-of-way along the south side of Meeks Creek meadow for resource management.
Landownership Adjustment, Work with the California State Parks and and Other Recreation Department to achieve improved management through land
VI. Proposed Resolution of Issues and Concerns
1. Facilities at Meeks Bay resort, marina, beach, and campground will remain, at least until the special use permit terminates in BMP will be implemented as previously planned to mitigate impacts to the SEZ. Opportunities to enhance scenery along the highway will be considered, such as developing trailhead parking out of view of the highway. The marina's
Meeks MA LTBMU Forest Plan
effects on fish migration will be evaluated. If substantial adverse effects exist, mitigation measures will be considered.
2. Opportunities for improving the wetland habitat in Meeks Creek meadow will continue to be evaluated to determine appropriate measures to accomplish the job at reasonable cost and within environmental standards.
VII. Specific Monitoring and Evaluation Requirements
Water quality will continue to be monitored in Meeks Creek to evaluate the impacts of recreation development and timber removal.
Meeks MA
LTBMU Forest Plan
Management Area Direction
12,380 Gross Acres National Forest System Acres TRPA Plan Areas: part of 141 Unsuitable Timber Lands: All Acres
I. Description
The Meiss Management Area encompasses the southernmost tip of the Tahoe Basin watershed south of Highway 89. It is a high meadowed valley at the headwaters of the Upper Truckee River. formed by the merging of the Carson Range and the Sierra Crest, just north of Carson Pass. Much of the topography is steep (greater than with predominantly high hazard land. The timbered areas are a diverse mixture of lodgepole pine, mixed conifer, and red fir. Nontimbered acreage is either barren, brush, subalpine lodgepole pine, or the large meadows that characterize the area.
Because of the great diversity of landscapes in Meiss, such as cliffs, meadowed valleys, alpine peaks, and several lakes, the majority of the area has a distinctive visual quality. Views are characteristically enclosed by the two ridges that define the LTBMU boundary, although from the high peaks one can see south to Ebbetts Pass, north to Pass, west to the Central Valley, and east across Hope and Carson Valleys. There is a historic cabin and barn in Meiss Meadow. Several of the lakes have small dams for stream flow regulation.
Meiss is a popular recreation area because of its easy trail access. The predominant uses are hiking, backpacking, fishing, cross country skiing, as well as outfitter guide services. Trail accesses are from trailheads at Christmas Valley, Echo Summit, Luther Pass, and Carson Pass. The area has historically been grazed, but grazing levels have been reduced to protect range and other resources. The meadows are the primary forage areas for the Meiss cattle allotment.
The Dardanelles Roadless Area, was released for nonwilderness uses by the 1984 California Wilderness Act. This part of the management area has been known by several names, most commonly "Meiss Country" and "Echo-Carson'' .
Issues, Concerns and Opportunities
1. The streamside meadows in this area are some of the best deer fawning habitat in the basin. Concern has been expressed that livestock grazing has diminished this habitat along with that of fish habitat through streambank impacts. No studies have been conducted to confirm these effects.
IV-139 Meiss MA LTBMU Forest Plan
2. A portion of the Upper Truckee River system has been proposed for reintroduction of the Lahontan cutthroat trout. an endangered species. This is being evaluated by the Forest Service and California Department of Fish and Game. 3. One site has been identified as suitable for the introduction of Peregrine falcon.
Resource Management Emphasis
The major emphasis for management of this area will be to provide a variety of unroaded non-motorized recreation experiences and to protect scenic conditions. Grazing will continue.
This direction differs from current management only in that maintenance of wilderness characteristics is no longer legally required. However, on-the-ground management will not be different from past.
The desired future condition is a back-country area maintaining substantially natural conditions.
IV. Management Area Prescriptions
Prescription
3- Unroaded Recreation 12,322
V. Management Area Standards and Guidelines
Forestwide standards and guidelines apply. The following direction supplements them:
Practice Standard and Guideline
7- Dispersed Recreation Establish capacities for use in areas that Management - Summer attract visitation beyond the physical capability of the land or the ability of the land to produce a quality experience.
Closed to all vehicles.
8- Dispersed Recreation Closed to all vehicles. Management - Winter Issue no new winter outfitter guide permits. 10- Cultural Resource Provide for management and protection of the Management historic Meiss Meadow cabin and barn while still allowing its use by the range permittee and outfitter guide.
Meiss MA IV-140 LTBMU Forest Plan
12- Nonstructural Wildlife Protect or improve wildlife habitat in Habitat Management meadow areas.
Nonstructural Fish Assist the California Department of Fish and Game Habitat Management in the reintroduction of the Lahontan cutthroat trout.
Structural Fish Habitat Improve fish habitat in meadow areas.
Special Cut Limit timber management activities to prevention of catastrophic losses in the forest.
VI. Proposed Resolution of Issues and Concerns
1. The effects of grazing on deer fawning habitat and stream fish habitat will be scheduled for study in cooperation with the California Department of Fish and Game. If a problem exists, appropriate action will be proposed as part of the study.
2. The management prescription for the area allows the reintroduction of Lahontan Cutthroat Trout as does the TRPA Regional Plan. A final decision regarding the project will be made through a project level environmental analysis that considers water quality, public health, recreational and visual effects.
3. A final decision on whether to utilize the area as a site for Peregrine falcon will be made following the recommendations of the Peregrine Falcon Recovery Team.
VII. Specific Monitoring and Evaluation Requirements
None at this time.
IV-141 Meiss MA MT ROSE MANAGEMENT AREA LTBMU Forest Plan
Management Area Direction
MT. ROSE
15,135 Gross Acres National Forest Acres TRPA Plan Areas: Miles of Lake Tahoe Shoreline: Unsuitable Timber Lands: All Acres 7.5 Total 1.4 State 6.1 Private,
I. Description
Mt. Rose Management Area includes the national forest land the northeast corner of the Tahoe Basin surrounding the developed lands of Incline Village, Nevada. Substantial national forest land area has been added in the past decade through purchase, exchange, and special tax relief (Redfield) legislation. The acquisitions have consolidated public ownership both within and outside the basin to the north on the Toiyabe National Forest. As a result there is a roadless area of sufficient size to consider for wilderness. The Toiyabe National Forest made such a recommendation for 16,000 acres in their forest plan. It extends to the ridge abutting the Lake Tahoe Basin.
Most land in the management area is extremely steep and classified as high erosion hazard, precluding intensive uses of any kind. Recreation is limited to primarily nonmotorized dispersed activities such as hiking, cross country skiing, horseback riding, and hunting. This area does serve as a major point of automobile entry into the basin via the Mount Rose Highway and offers excellent vistas of the lake. Portions of the Tahoe Meadow are very popular for cross country skiing and snowmobile use.
The vegetation ranges from mixed conifer and red fir forests to high alpine meadows and barren mountain ridges. While virtually all of the timber is located on unaccessed and high erosion hazard steep slopes, a few small stands may have potential for limited timber management.
Ski Incline received approval of a master development plan in that allows expansion of the area to the ridgeline of the basin. Ski runs are the only improvements that occur on national forest land.
A large ski resort has been proposed just outside the management area in Galena Creek near Mount Rose.
11. Issues, Concerns and Opportunities
1. Public recreation access is becoming a concern, especially north of the Mt. Rose Highway. Access to areas along First, Second, and Third Creeks has become an issue of property owners who complain of loud motorcycles, litter, and resource damage. Much of this use is on land administered by the Incline General Improvement District.
IV-143 Mt. Rose MA LTBMU Forest Plan
2. Protection of sensitive plant populations in the alpine areas above 9.000 feet elevation is of concern, particularly as recreation pressures on those areas increase.
111. Resource Management Emphasis
The primary resource emphasis in this management area is to protect the water quality of the steep high hazard lands, and to provide for nonmotorized recreation access. Maintenance of the visual corridor and provision of roadside parking and vistas along the Mt. Rose Highway will also be an important emphasis. A recommendation to designate a portion of the area to the Wilderness Preservation System will be made to the Congress.
Though the management emphasis of watershed protection is a continuation of current direction for the area, the enlarged public ownership of land has added considerable complexity and opportunity especially for dispersed recreation.
The desired future condition is a scenic backdrop setting with some dispersed recreation partly in a wilderness setting.
IV. Management Area Prescriptions
Prescription
2- Alpine Skiing 3- Unroaded Recreation 6- Wilderness 9- Maintenance 12-Urban Lots (not mapped)
V. Management Area Standards and Guidelines
Forestwide standards and guidelines apply. The following direction supplements them:
Practice Standard and Guideline
2- Dispersed Recreation Provide parking for dispersed recreation Site Construction facilities in the vicinity of Tahoe Meadow, not to exceed 100 PAOT.
7-Dispersed Recreation Open to activities on system roads Management - Summer only.
8-Dispersed Recreation Open to over-the-snow vehicles except Management - Winter within designated wilderness. Issue no permits for winter motorized outfitter guides.
Mt. Rose MA LTBMU Forest Plan
18-Protect T E Plants Assure that dispersed recreation use does not reach a level damaging to sensitive plants in high elevation areas.
VI. Proposed Resolution of Issues and Concerns 1. Existing access to public land will be preserved. At Tahoe Meadow, alternate access routes will be evaluated for trails.
2. Location of sensitive plant populations will be better defined. Trail locations will be designed to minimize impacts.
VII. Specific Monitoring and Evaluation Requirements
No special monitoring.
IV- Mt. Rose MA
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11/87 LTBMU Forest Plan
Management Area Direction
ROUNDHILL
Gross Acres 1.184 National Forest System acres TRPA Plan Areas: part Miles of Lake Tahoe Shoreline: of 060, 061, and 062; 064, 9.8 Total 066, 068, 2.2 USFS part of 071 and 076; 089. 0.5 State Unsuitable Timber Lands: All Acres 7.1 Private
I. Description
The area includes the Highway scenic corridor and lakeshore land between Glenbrook and Stateline on the south shore. Topography is moderately steep, with some high hazard land and several large areas of relatively flat, low hazard land. Approximately of the shoreline in this area is accessible through national forest land.
Seven small streams cross this management area, two of which are on national forest land. There is a large meadow area in the vicinity of Nevada Beach which provides an open vista from Highway A much smaller meadow is located at Zephyr Cove Resort.
Mixed conifer is the predominant timber type.
A significant portion of this area is in private ownership, including approximately of the lake frontage. A small Nevada State Park at Cave Rock provides access to the lake with public boat launching facilities. There is also a public launch ramp at Zephyr Cove Resort, but it is in poor condition.
Developed recreation on the national forest lands include the Logan Shoals vista point, Zephyr Cove Resort, Round Hill Pines Resort and the Nevada Beach Campground and beach.
The Nevada Beach Campground area was the site of a dwarf mistletoe suppression project (1984-86).
11. Issues, Concerns and Opportunities
1. Increasing lakeshore access for the public is a major goal in the basin. Through acquisition of land, the Forest Service has gained opportunities to meet that goal. Specific planning for developing those opportunities has not been completed at Round Hill Pines Resort and the shoreline immediately south of Skyland Subdivision.
2. Long range use and development plans have not been prepared for the Round Hill Pines Resort which was acquired through land purchase in It is being operated for public day use recreation under a short term Granger-Thye permit which limits the opportunity to make major investments in the improvement of facilities and their operation if that should become the desired future use.
Roundhill MA LTBMU Forest Plan
3. Recently acquired land (Rabe Meadow area and the Jennings Casino site) in the vicinity of the high density development at the casino core offers much opportunity for recreational and interpretive access to the national forest. There is also an excellent opportunity to expand the very heavily used campground at Nevada Beach.
Major water quality restoration is needed at Zephyr Cove Resort and possibly at Round Hill Pines Resort.
5. Water rights acquired from in the Zephyr Cove area are of significant volume and may be in excess of the actual present needs at the resort. Private residential areas adjacent to Zephyr Cove Resort have historically been short of water, thus are actively seeking new sources. As the Nevada allocation of water under the Interstate Compact is almost totally accounted for, growth and development are limited in part by available water supply in this area. Thus, the Forest Service owned water supplies are now and will continue to be sought to increase availability to the communities that are in short supply.
6. Roundhill Mound offers opportunity for a trail accessed vista point from Round Hill Pines Resort and from Nevada Beach. Vistas of Lake Tahoe are a forestwide goal.
Resource Management Emphasis
The resource emphasis will be to manage for developed recreation use, for lake access and to maintain the Highway scenic corridor.
This direction differs from current management in that recreation expansion may be considered. Previous direction prevented new recreation construction until a forest plan was completed unless the construction had been approved prior to 1980. Also, this plan includes a larger land base and recreation opportunities because of acquisition.
The desired future condition is to utilize the recreation and visual opportunities available in the area.
IV. Management Area Prescriptions
Prescription Acres
1 - Developed Recreation 3 - Unroaded Recreation 180 5 - Intensive Dispersed Recreation - Administrative Site 2 8 - Wetland 100 10- Timber Stand Maintenance 334 12- Urban Lots (not mapped) 20
Roundhill MA IV-148 LTBMU Forest Plan
V. Management Standards and Guidelines
Forestwide standards and guidelines apply. The following direction supplements them:
Practice Standard and Guideline
1- Recreation Site Expansion of the Nevada Beach recreation area Construction will be limited to an additional PAOT. Expansion of Zephyr Cove Resort will be limited to an additional PAOT. Amount of expansion for Round Hill Pines Resort is to be determined in a master development plan. Development at the Zephyr Cove North site near Skyland is proposed at PAOT.
3- Private Sector Require the permittee to reconstruct, Recreation maintain, and operate the Zephyr Cove Resort in accordance with the direction in the future use determination, January
Allow the Zephyr Cove Resort permittee to prepare and submit a master plan for expansion of the resort within the standards of this and the TRPA Regional Plan.
Work with the Zephyr Cove Resort permittee to develop a plan for shared management and maintenance of trails used as part of the stable operation.
7- Dispersed Recreation Maintain closure to OHV activity. Management - Summer Maintain closure to overnight camping outside the developed sites.
8- Dispersed Recreation Snowmobile activities are allowed except Management - Winter in Rabe Meadow and the vicinity of Round Hill Pines Resort. Issue no outfitter guide permits for motorized winter use.
10- Cultural Resources Evaluate the historical significance of the Round Hill Pines Resort. Nominate Zephyr Lookout to the National Register of Historic Places, and preserve, maintain, and interpret its historical values.
Nonstructural Fish As part of the water use evaluation and Habitat Management resolution, consider reducing instream diversions to increase stream flows for fish. Obtain domestic water supply from the lake instead.
Roundhill MA LTBMU Forest Plan
18- Protection of Reintroduce Rorippa populations T E Plants to historic sites such as at Nevada Beach and Zephyr Cove.
Water Use Management Utilize TRPA Instream Flow Study data to set flow levels for one study stream within this area. File for appropriate water rights.
47- Trail Construction Study the feasibility of interconnecting public recreation sites with trails.
VI. Proposed Resolution of Issues and Concerns
1. Use of the lakeshore at the resort sites will be determined through future use determinations. Other lakeshore areas will be evaluated through project level plans developed based on basinwide priorities and demand.
2. The future use determination for Round Hill Pines resort has been scheduled for Operation of the resort will continue under private concessionaire in the interim. If Forest Service or other public operation is to occur, transition would occur when public resources are available to do so. 3. A plan for recreation and interpretive opportunities in the Nevada core area will be developed, preferably in cooperation with Douglas County and local interest groups. No schedule is proposed for such a plan at this time and may not occur within the plan period.
4. Watershed restoration needs have been determined as part of the future use determination for Zephyr Cove Resort. The same would occur for Round Hill Pines. Concessionaires would usually be required to install necessary practices on the permit site.
5. Further work will be necessary to resolve water rights issues, including legal interpretation, metering of actual use and clarification of adjacent and/or shared rights. A total review of all Nevada water rights is a critical aspect of proper water rights management within this area. Although linked to the water rights issue, water distribution issues can be resolved with the cooperation of local water districts. A transfer of some excess capacity from the Forest Service to others with deficiencies could take place on the basis of preliminary studies, if it is clear that excess rights exist.
6. Consideration of a Round Hill vista point development will be analyzed at the project level. Development would be based upon forestwide priorities.
VII. Specific Monitoring and Evaluation Requirements
None at this time.
Roundhill MA IV-151 VAL EY M PRESCRIPTIONS
7 8 Wetlands Management 9 Mat Stand nce 11 Timber - -
-+ / -
*A-
IT TAHOE VALLEY MANAGEMENT AREA SOUTH HALF
Reduced Timber 13 Research Natural Area 11/87 IV-154 LTBMU Forest Plan
Management Area Direction
TAHOE
Gross Acreage 15,840 National Forest System Acres Miles of Lake Tahoe Shoreline: TRPA PLANNING AREAS: All or portions Total of 118, 121. Local Gov't 4.4 Private Unsuitable Timber Lands: All Acres
I. Description:
This area includes most of the valley bottom at the south end of the lake, but extends along the Highway 89 corridor from Christmas Valley to Luther Pass. The incorporated City of South Lake Tahoe and the unincorporated communities of Tahoe Paradise, Meyers, Christmas Valley, and Montgomery Estates are within the boundaries. Much of the area is low hazard land classification, but there is considerable SEZ, including several of the larger streams of the basin, such as Upper Truckee River, Trout Creek, Saxon Creek, Angora Creek, Grass Lake Creek, Cold Creek, and Heavenly Valley Creek.
Osgood Bog, located near Highway at the base of Flagpole Peak, is a rare boreal sphagnum bog, which has been recognized for its paleobotanical significance. It will be evaluated in this planning period to determine if it warrants designation as a Special Interest Area. Interim management protects its unique features. Except for the meadows and other wetlands bordering many of the streams or the marshes next to Lake Tahoe, most of the land is well forested with mixed conifer. Much of the timber management program of the past decade has been thinning in the dense stands of young trees. Red fir forest are found at the higher elevations near Luther Pass and Angora Ridge. The area is well roaded with the exception of the steep slopes of Waterhouse Peak and Echo Peak. Some of the roads are passable only to 4-wheel drive vehicles.
There is no national forest land on the shore of Lake Tahoe within the management area. Several recreation residence tracts (Rainbow, Bridge, Upper Truckee), the Meyers Work Center, and the Upper Truckee Ranger Station exist within the area and are an extension of communities on private land. The Upper Truckee Ranger Station is considered a historical site.
Intensive recreation use occurs throughout the area, especially by local residents.
11. Issues, Concerns, and Opportunities
1. Most of the national forest land in the area is at the urban interface. There is a large opportunity to serve a multitude of uses by residents and tourists in the communities. Available resources are often exceeded by the demand. Firewood cutting is intensively managed, but cannot meet the entire need of the local area. Some forms of recreation must be
Tahoe Valley MA LTBMU Forest Plan
restrained. Special use permits are considered on the merits of each case, but usually with the understanding that private land should be considered first. Occasionally people feel that the Forest Service should be more liberal in granting requests for use.
2. Residents at the urban interface with the national forest have expressed concern that insect and disease occurring in forest trees will affect trees on their property. There is also concern that wildfires will spread into a community. 3. Activities allowed or occurring on the national forest may produce noise levels that are disturbing to residents of urbanized areas. Chain saws or other equipment used for timber management purposes are an intermittent source of noise, while OW are a more consistent source. Single noise event level standards have been established for but not for chain saws. Cumulative noise event levels have been established as thresholds for different types of land use areas.
4. Access to public lands is often through urban areas. Where the amount of traffic is heavy, it can be disturbing to the neighborhood. In some instances, rights-of-way do not exist to assure public access. 5. Dispersed recreation users must park on streets within urbanized areas to access some public land, including trails that lack trailhead facilities. This is especially a problem in the winter where roads that access public land are not plowed of snow or are closed due to wet soil conditions. Parking is forced upon already narrow roads, or may not be available at all because of posted restrictions on roadway parking.
6. activity is intensive at the urban interface and has generated controversy between recreationists and home owners. Some of this use complies with direction, but much of it does not. Enforcement of OHV direction has not been consistent. There are opportunities to provide increased high quality OW routes away from the urban interface.
Many property lines have not been surveyed to precisely establish the location of national forest land. a. Reconnaissance of property lines has indicated that numerous (hundreds, possibly thousands) unauthorized occupancies and uses of public land are occurring by private property owners residing at the urban interface. Most of these cannot be dealt with until property lines are accurately surveyed. Once surveys are completed and existing problems are dealt with, then the prevention of future trespass will be a concern.
9. The Upper Truckee River represents one of the best stream-oriented recreation assets in the basin for fishing and rafting. Much of the stream does not have assured public access.
Some unauthorized camping takes place in proximity to the urbanized areas. This results in litter accumulations, increased risk of fire, and occasional conflicts with day use recreation.
Tahoe Valley MA IV-156 LTBMU Forest Plan
11. Some large parcels of high capability national forest lands that are within or adjacent to the urban interface, such as the recently acquired Harootunian parcel, may be suitable for meeting the demand for urban recreation or service facilities. As in the case of small urban lots, these parcels may best be managed by local government.
12. Because of the landownership patterns of various Federal, State and local agencies, there is an opportunity to enhance recreation opportunities by coordinated planning for trail systems and facilities.
111. Resource Management Emphasis
Within much of the area the emphasis will be upon meeting the recreation, scenic and special uses demands of the large visiting and urban population that is in the area. Most of the recreation will be a variety of dispersed activities, but some land will be managed for existing and potential development. Along Highway in the vicinity of Luther Pass there will be emphasis upon maintaining a scenic travel corridor. Fairly intensive forest management practices will be fostered on the high and moderate capability land.
This direction is similar to current management except that recreation expansion may occur through the construction of new sites and facilities. Previous direction limited recreation construction to that approved prior to 1980. Also, timber management activities will be more intensive.
The desired future condition will be to have healthy and diverse forest conditions that can support the variety and intensity of recreation and other activities demanded by the large nearby and visiting population. Good access will be available by road and trail.
IV. Management Area Prescription
Prescription Acres
1 - Developed Recreation 3 - Unroaded Recreation 1,000 7 - Administrative Sites 8 - Wetland 120 9 - Maintenance 10 - Timber Stand Maintenance 11 - Reduced Timber 12 - Urban Lots (not mapped) - Research Natural Area
Tahoe Valley MA LTBMU Forest Plan
V. Management Area Standards and Guidelines
Forestwide standards and guidelines apply. The following direction supplements them:
Practice Standard and Guideline
1- Recreation and VIS Recreation expansion is proposed to add Site Construction an additional 545 PAOT in developed facilities. Develop project level plans to determine the precise nature, location and size of facilities at the Saxon Creek site. Work closely with other agencies in providing appropriate information programs and facilities for travelers entering the Tahoe Basin on Highway
2- Dispersed Recreation Construct parking and other facilities Site Construction to accomodate PAOT (46 PAOT of which are an expansion over present use outside of an improved facility).
3- Development and Based upon the analysis conducted by the Administration of Forest Service, as documented in the Private Sector Environmental Assessment for the proposed Recreation Rainbow Tract land exchange, August the subject area will remain in public ownership and will continue to be managed by the Forest Service. Permits will authorize continued recreation use through The new permits will be to modifications or mitigating measures that may be required to protect the environment or to conform to then current Forest Service policies.
Conduct a future use determination for Bridge Recreation Residence Tract before the permits terminate in and for Upper Truckee Tract before the permits terminate in
Recreation residences will not be allowed to enlarge in capacity or land coverage.
Dispersed Recreation are permitted on designated roads and Management - Summer trails only. Routes will not be designated where conflicts between existing residential areas and users may be exacerbated. Resource monitoring and law enforcement programs will be expanded. trails will be accessed from designated system roads and trailheads only: random access from residential streets will be discouraged. Maintain closures of
Tahoe Valley MA LTBMU Forest Plan
Christmas Valley, Harootunian tract, and Tahoe to Ski Run areas to summer use.
Camping permitted in developed campgrounds and designated dispersed sites only.
8- Dispersed Recreation The area is open to over-the-snow vehicles Management - Winter except for Grass Lake, the north slopes of Waterhouse Peak, the western side of Christmas Valley, and in the vicinity of Pioneer Trail and Black Bart.
Continue to allow cross country skiing on Grass Lake Moss Bog when the area is designated as a Research Natural Area as long as the bog is not suffering adversely from this activity.
9- Visual Quality Cooperate with El Dorado County and the Restoration or local in Meyers on the preparation Improvement and implementation of the Highway corridor scenic restoration plan.
10- Cultural Resources Interpret the historic Grade Trail. Evaluate the historical significance of the Upper Truckee Ranger Station, and protect and interpret its historic values.
Nonstructural and Improve conditions on the Upper Truckee Structural Fish Habitat River for migratory and resident trout. Management
16- Structural Wildlife Waterfowl nesting islands and tubs at Pope Habitat Improvements Marsh will be maintained. Tubs will be replaced by nesting islands in cooperation with the California Department of Fish and Game.
21- Range Pasture Management Maintain the Upper Truckee Ranger Station pasture and the Cookhouse Meadow pasture primarily for Forest Service administrative use. Develop and implement plans to rehabilitate both pastures to improve forage and watershed condition.
35- Land and Resource Assist the Regional Research Natural Area Management Plan committee in preparing a specific plan for management of Grass Lake Moss Bog when the area is included in the Research Natural Area System by the Chief. In the meantime, manage the area as if it were an RNA.
IV-159 Tahoe Valley MA LTBMU Forest Plan
Evaluate Osgood Bog in this planning period for potential Special Interest Area designation.
VI. Proposed Resolution of Issues and Concerns
1. Uses in support of neighboring communities will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis in accord with forestwide standards and guidelines.
2. As timber stands are treated, approved management practices will improve the health of the forest, reducing the chance for epidemic occurrence of insects and diseases and thus the chance of spread into urbanized areas. It is expected that forest treatment at the interface will create shaded fuelbreaks that will reduce the potential for fire spread.
3. The Forest Service has not had great experience managing noise levels to achieve established thresholds. Monitoring of background and activity levels will help us to learn how to manage noise.
4. Parking sites will be designed and constructed to assure that the public can access the national forest during the summer and winter without severely impacting urbanized areas or private land.
5. Access routes into the national forest through urban areas will be evaluated to determine the extent of impact. Where the adverse impact is determined to be excessive, alternate routes will be sought.
6. The primary objective of OHV management in this area will be to provide high quality opportunities in a system of designated loops that relocate existing use to locations that have fewer impacts on residential neighborhoods. It may not be possible to remove all routes and trailheads from the urban fringe. OHV activities will be monitored for compliance with management direction. Where use is not consistent, action will be taken to gain compliance. It will probably be necessary to schedule where action will be taken, so that adequate resources can be focused to compliance through various techniques such as informing and educating users. providing barriers to access, and enforcement.
7. Surveys of property lines will be scheduled with priorities generally as established in the forestwide standards and guidelines. One or more decades will be required to accomplish having all property lines determined.
8. Determination of where unauthorized occupancies exist will depend first upon the establishment of accurate property lines. Once the lines are established, occupancy problems can be dealt with, usually case-by-case. Routine inspections and follow-up trespass action should reduce the extent of unauthorized use and occupancy.
Acquisition of lands through the Act will gradually improve access to the Upper Truckee River as well as assuring a higher degree of protection of water quality and fish and wildlife habitat.
Tahoe Valley MA LTBMU Forest Plan
10. Camping closures will continue in effect with better signing and information programs.
11. Large parcels of high capability land near the urban interface will be evaluated to determine what use might be most appropriate. Where it appears that urban uses, not appropriate for national forest land, are the best use, transfer of management or ownership will be considered. Until such determination is made, management direction will be to keep the vegetation in a healthy diverse condition and to keep the site unencumbered with long term uses such as dispersed recreation facilities or designated routes.
12. Encourage and participate actively in interagency planning for recreation development. The City of South Lake Tahoe, El Dorado County, California State Parks, California Tahoe Conservancy, and LTBMU will all have important roles to play in this effort. Development of recreation opportunities should occur in the most suitable locations regardless of ownership. In some cases this may require land adjustment.
Specific Monitoring and Evaluation Requirements
Where property lines are accurately established, periodic inspection shall be made to locate and deal with trespass.
Timber management and OHV activities at the urban interface should be monitored to determine if cumulative noise event level thresholds are exceeded.
IV-161 Tahoe Valley MA IV-162 LTBMU Forest Plan
Management Area Direction
URBAN
About 24,000 acres of the 1,641 National Forest System Acres basin is urbanized.
TRPA Plan Areas: All of those having land use classification as Residential, Commercial or Tourist.
Unsuitable Timber Lands: All Acres.
I. Description
This management area overlays every management area that extends into urbanized portions of the basin.
It consists mainly of parcels of land that have been acquired by purchase, donation, or other means, under authority of PL 96-586, Act of December In the future it may also consist of land acquired through State or other acquisition programs and then transferred to Federal management.
Parcels vary in size from a fraction of an acre to several hundred acres. Mostly these lands are environmentally sensitive; that is, they are within land capability class 1, 2 and 3 or stream environment zone. In some cases, the parcels may have low or moderate hazard land area along with the environmentally sensitive (high hazard) area.
The lands are generally unimproved although there may be utility easements and other features normally found in urbanized areas.
11. Issues, Concerns, and Opportunities
1. Public Law 96-586 directs that the acquired land shall be administered as part of the national forest system. However, in the case of lands which are unsuitable for Forest Service administration, such lands may be transferred to an appropriate unit of State or local government for management. No criteria has been developed to determine which parcels may be eligible for transfer to a State or local jurisdiction. State and local governments have not shown great interest acquiring these parcels, except where benefits to them are well defined.
2. The small parcels add many linear feet of property boundary line to locate and maintain. Also, the much enlarged interface with private land presents greater chance for unauthorized occupancy and use of the national forest, including the dumping of refuse.
3. Natural hazards, especially from falling trees, will increase the probability of claims against the Federal government.
Urban Lots MA LTBMU Forest Plan
There are opportunities to produce goods and services from the urban parcels. The lands are not in the data base and resource inventories have not been prepared. In any case, the act requires that environmental quality and public recreation use of the land be protected. This requirement also extends to lands transferred to another unit of government for management.
5. Many of the parcels will require remedial watershed restoration work.
111. Resource Management Emphasis
The major resource emphasis will be to protect watershed conditions and community open space. Where soil and vegetation has been disturbed, where erosion is occurring, or where accelerated runoff is not controlled, restoration will be completed and runoff protection devices will be installed, preferably as part of a total neighborhood project. Resource development opportunities will be analyzed primarily on a case-by-case basis except where urban forest management plans are prepared. Since the Forest Service has only recently been acquiring land in urbanized areas this represents an entirely new and nontraditional management direction.
The desired future condition will be stable lands whether in Federal ownership or under the administration of a State or local government.
IV. Management Area Prescriptions
Prescriptions Acres
12- Urban Lots 1.641
V. Management Area Standards and Guidelines
Forestwide standards and guidelines apply. The following direction supplements them:
Practice Standard and Guideline
- Dispersed Recreation Closed to OHV activities. Vehicles Management - Summer may travel on system roads designated open.
Closed to overnight camping.
8 - Dispersed Recreation Closed to over-the-snow vehicle Management - Winter activity.
Closed to overnight camping.
Special Cut Limit tree cutting to those posing an identified threat to life or property, or to those that threaten the health of the adjoining forest until a management plan is prepared for the community forest.
Urban Lots MA LTBMU Forest Plan
42- Landownership Adjustment Where case-by-case analysis identifies a parcel to be transferred to local or State government, other nearby parcels should also be transferred as a package.
VI. Proposed Resolution of Issues and Concerns
1. Criteria will be developed at the program level, with the assistance of State and local governments, to determine the conditions under which land will be transferred from Federal management. The criteria will also consider conditions for accepting lands that were acquired through State or other programs. Until broad criterion is developed for the transfers, individual parcels may be transferred based on a case-by-case analysis.
Parcels eligible for transfer, based on the criteria selected, will be transferred when State and local governments are prepared to accept responsibility for their care. Appropriate deed restrictions will ensure the environmental quality and public recreation use of the lands are protected.
2. Property line maintenance will always be a problem, although the extent will be reduced by acquisition of blocks of land rather than individual, isolated lots. Transfer of lots may reduce this administrative problem for the Forest Service. Preventing unauthorized occupancy and use will require surveillance and administrative or legal action. It may also involve use of volunteer groups or individuals to assist the Forest Service in keeping the lots clear of encroachments.
3. Periodic inspections of the parcels should forewarn of many hazards and allow time for remedial action. Felling hazardous trees and maintaining a healthy forest is expected to be expensive.
4. Except possibly for large parcels, inclusion of the land into the LMP data base may be deferred to the next round of planning years). Therefore, determination of the amount and kinds of goods and services that will be produced from these lands will be made on a case-by-case basis as the need arises. Due to the sensitivity of the land, many activities will be limited to protect water quality. Some timber harvest is expected.
Dispersed recreation such as walking and bicycle riding will occur, especially on neighborhood lots. There may be opportunities for constructing recreation improvements such as parking, access trails, and bicycle trails on the property. Plans for recreation development will be carried out at the project level.
5. Remedial work will be planned and implemented as soon after acquisition as funding allows.
VII. Specific Monitoring and Evaluation Requirements
Parcels will be visited at no less than 5-year intervals to determine if activities are occurring that are detrimental to water quality. Appropriate remedial action will be implemented if such conditions are found to exist.
Urban Lots MA WARD MANAGEMENT AREA LTBMU Forest Plan
Management Area Direction
Gross Acres 6,622 National Forest System Acres TRPA Plan Areas: 166, and 169 Miles of Lake Tahoe Shoreline: Unsuitable Timber Lands: All Acres 3.6 Total 3.6 Private
I. Description
The Ward Management Area includes the Ward Creek drainage plus the plateau region on the south side of the Lower Truckee River. Much of the area north of Ward Creek is low and moderate hazard land with large well stocked timber.
The area is used for a variety of dispersed recreation purposes, from hiking and fishing in summer to cross country skiing in winter. The William Kent Campground and beach provide facilities next to Lake Tahoe and near commercial services. The State Parks have plans for a PAOT day use site just south of Ward Creek near Highway 89.
Page Meadows provides excellent wildlife habitat as well as good cross country skiing. Ward Creek could be improved as migratory fish habitat if barriers were removed and the streambanks were stabilized.
About 604 acres of the Granite Chief roadless area occurs in the western end of the canyon. The California Wilderness Act released all but acres of the LTBMU portion for nonwilderness uses, but designated the area west of Ward Creek drainage on the Tahoe National Forest (plus acres in the LTBMU) for inclusion in the Wilderness Preservation System.
Issues, Concerns, and Opportunities
1. There is potential to expand Alpine Park ski area. A primary concern over expansion is the potential adverse impact on water quality, traffic and air quality.
2. There are excellent opportunities for timber management, particularly on the large relatively flat land on the north side of the area. Access is currently a problem in some locations, either because there is no public right-of-way across private land or because proper stream crossings are not in place. As with other places around the basin, timber harvest would be a concern to the residents because of potential visual and water quality impacts. 3. There is land suitable for recreation facility development in this management area, primarily surrounding Page Meadows.
Ward MA Forest Plan
4. The ridge to Stanford Rock on the southern edge of the management area is relatively undeveloped except for a low standard road. Currently the road is closed for lack of a stream crossing on Ward Creek. A trail along the ridge could also link State Park land near the lake with Stanford Rock, Twin Peaks, the Pacific Rim Trail, and Granite Chief Wilderness. Although the Forest Service has acquired all the private land at Stanford Rock, Sierra Pacific Industries has reserved the right to locate a ski lift terminal there.
111. Resource Emphasis
The major resource emphasis in this management area is to maintain opportunities for expansion of outdoor recreation. This includes both ski area expansion, developed recreation facilities, and both motorized and nonmotorized dispersed recreation. There are also opportunities for vegetation management and improvements for wildlife and fisheries enhancement.
This direction is a change from current management in that recreation improvements may be constructed to increase capacity, Previous direction prevented expansion of recreation facilities except where the had been approved prior to 1980. Direction is also changed along Stanford Rock ridge to limit the amount of motorized access.
The desired future condition is to opportunities for recreation, skiing, timber harvesting, and wildlife and fish habitat improvement. The capacity for a new developed campground in Ward Management Area will be reserved, but a specific location has not been selected at this time.
IV. Management Area Prescriptions
Prescription
1 - Developed Recreation 40 2 - Alpine Skiing 5 - Intensive Dispersed Recreation 600 7 - Administrative Site 1 8 - Wetlands Management 250 10- Timber Stand Maintenance 11- Reduced Timber Harvest 1 12- Urban Lots (not mapped)
Ward MA IV-168 LTBMU Forest Plan
V. Management Area Standards and Guidelines Forestwide standards and guidelines apply. The following direction supplements them: Practice Standard and Guideline
1- Recreation Development of new recreation facilities Construction is projected at 280 PAOT over present level.
2- Dispersed Recreation Expansion of winter parking at Page Meadows Facility Construction will be 14 PAOT over present level. A vista point and trailhead parking for access along Stanford Rock ridge will be provided in the SE 1/4 of Section and will be served by the road 4- Downhill Skiing Approve new skiing improvements for the Alpine Park expansion into this area through a master development plan meeting Forest Service and TRPA standards. Maximum capacity for new facilities on national forest land at the site will be PAOT. Base facilities will be limited to warming huts, food service, first aid, and equipment storage. Construction of new lodges, public parking lots, or ticket sales offices will not be allowed within the basin. 7- Dispersed Recreation use is allowed only on designated Summer system roads. All trails are closed to motorized use.
Until ski area expansion occurs, Stanford Ridge will be managed for semi-primitive nonmotorized forms of recreation. 8- Dispersed Recreation Allow over-the-snow vehicles except in Management - Winter Page Meadow. 15-Non-Structural Remove barriers to migratory fish in Fish Habitat Ward Creek.
Construction Road to Stanford Rock will remain Reconstruction closed until an adequate stream crossing is constructed over Ward Creek. Upon completion of the stream crossing and improvement of the road, public access will be allowed to a vista point and trailhead parking near the 1/4 corner for Sections and 24. From this point to Stanford Rock the road will be for administrative use only.
IV-169 Ward MA LTBMU Forest Plan
VI. Proposed Resolution of Issues and Concerns
1. Decisions on ski area expansion at Alpine Park will be made through the master planning process. For expansion to be approved the master plans must show that environmental thresholds will not be violated.
2. The accessed low and moderate hazard land will be managed with appropriate timber practices. Acquisition of rights-of-way and improvement of stream crossings will be needed. 3. The capacity for a recreation development will be reserved, although a specific site has not yet been identified. When a site is identified through project planning, management activities will be adjusted to protect and enhance the site for recreation. Except for skiing, development of a major developed recreation site in this management area is not considered likely during this plan period.
The current closure to public motorized access to the plateau east of Stanford Rock will continue until a stream crossing is constructed over Ward Creek and the road is improved. At that time the road will be opened to public use to a vista on the east edge of the plateau. The plateau should remain suitable for hiking.
Specific Monitoring and Evaluation Requirements
None at this time.
Ward MA IV-170 IV-171 PRESCRIPTIONS Developed Recreation 2 Alpine 5 Intensive Dispersed Timber Stand Reduced Timber LTBMU Forest Plan
Management Area Description
WATSON Gross Acres 8,663 National Forest Acres TRPA Planning Areas: Miles of Lake Tahoe Shoreline: and 024 9.3 Total Unsuitable Timber Lands: All Acres State 1.2 Local Gov't 7.8 Private
I. Description
This management area is located north of the urban areas from Tahoe City to Tahoe Vista. It is bounded on the east by Highway 267 (Martis Management Area) and on the west by the Truckee River Canyon (Lower Truckee Management Area). The north and south boundaries are the lakeshore and the forest boundary. National forest surrounds Burton Creek State Park on three sides.
Though adjacent to large residential and visiting populations the national forest lands in the management area have not been developed for recreation use. Camping opportunities are limited in comparison to other portions of the basin. The area is popular for dispersed recreation because of the large number of roads and the accessibility of the area: however, developed trails are few. The Tahoe Rim Trail currently under construction will provide excellent trail access. The shorezone around Watson Lake is popular as an undeveloped camping area.
High capability land comprises of the national forest within this management area. It is well timbered with mixed conifer and red fir and represents some of the best timber management opportunities in the basin.
Sheep graze through much of the area as part of the Carter range allotment administered by the Tahoe National Forest.
Issues, Concerns, and Opportunities
1. The Northstar ski area is interested in expanding alpine skiing into an area south and east of Mt. Pluto.
2. Camping opportunities on the north shore are limited. Maintaining a balance of opportunities throughout the basin is considered desirable but has been difficult to accomplish. There are few major outdoor recreation attractions (such as access to Lake Tahoe shoreline) upon which camping or day use facilities can focus.
4. The Western States and the Tevis Cup trailheads are located in this management area. Proposals for equestrian campsites and staging areas in the vicinity are popular with horsemen and women.
Watson MA LTBMU Forest Plan 5. The Carnelian Bay corridor near Flick Point includes lake frontage. The Forest Service has not defined how this narrow strip of land through an urbanized area should be used.
6. Very few of the property lines between national forest and private ownerships have been inspected in recent years. Experience in similar situations suggests that trespass may need to be dealt with along the urban interface. 7. Access to national forest land is a concern. Several roads cross State and private land without legal rights-of-way. a. The relatively large contiguous areas of undeveloped, high capability land within this area provide excellent opportunities for accomplishing multiple use objectives through vegetation management. Increasing the proportion of the area in openings and early successional stage vegetation would improve the summer habitat for the Truckee deer herd and other wildlife. Timber sales would also generate funds to improve the roads for vehicular travel. Reforestation could increase the density of vegetation cover for water quality management.
Resource Management Emphasis
Management direction for this area is similar to current management. Recreation and vegetation management will continue to receive emphasis.
Opportunities to expand developed recreation will be reserved for consideration at Northstar ski area, Cedar Flat, and Tahoe Vista. Watson Lake will continue as an area of concentrated dispersed recreation. Construction of the Tahoe Rim Trail and a coordinated system of feeder trails will allow for expanded summer dispersed recreation.
The desired future condition will be a healthy and diverse forest that can support the variety and intensity of recreation and other activities demanded by the large nearby local and visiting population. Good access will be available by road and trail. Because of the higher capability soils and moderate slopes the area will experience a greater concentration of vegetation management activities than most other parts of the basin.
Management Area Prescriptions
Prescription Acres
1 - Developed Recreation 360 2 - Alpine Skiing 300 5 - Intensive Dispersed Recreation 10 - Timber Stand Maintenance 2,187 11 - Reduced Timber 12 - Urban Lots 1
Watson MA LTBMU Forest Plan
V. Management Area Standards and Guidelines
Forestwide standards and guidelines apply. The following direction supplements them: Practice Standard and Guideline
1- Recreation Construction Development is at PAOT at Cedar Flat and at PAOT at Kings Beach.
2- Dispersed Recreation 10 PAOT expansion at Watson Lake Site Construction undeveloped campground is planned. 4- Downhill Skiing Expansion of Northstar ski area is limited to 1,000 PAOT.
Dispersed Recreation This management area is open to overnight Management - Summer camping: however, some areas may be closed following project level planning. Demand for OHV use will be provided on existing roads and trails. No new trails will be constructed.
8- Dispersed Recreation The area is open to over-the-snow vehicles. Management - Winter Coordinate public and outfitter guide dispersed winter sports opportunities to prevent conflict between motorized and nonmotorized activities.
VI. Proposed Resolution of the Issues and Concerns
1. Opportunities for ski development will be evaluated as part of the master development plan for Northstar ski area.
2. A project level evaluation will be made of the Carnelian Bay corridor to determine appropriate action. 3. Illegal occupancy will be dealt with by enlisting the cooperation of the neighboring landowners and by enforcement. 4. Right-of-way acquisitions will be considered based upon forestwide priorities. Where access through California State Park lands is involved, coordinated planning and cost sharing will be developed with the State. 5. The desirability and demand for development of outdoor recreation facilities for camping or day use will be coordinated with the California Department of Parks and Recreation and with the Tahoe City and North Tahoe Public Utility Districts. Management activities in areas which are potentially suitable for such development will be planned so as not to compromise the areas value as a recreation site.
6. Silvicultural prescriptions will be developed that will meet multiple use objectives with emphasis on wildlife habitat diversity, recreation
IV-175 Watson MA Forest Plan
opportunities, and visual quality, as well as creating well stocked stands to protect soil from erosion and prevent nutrients from migrating to the lake.
VII. Specific Monitoring and Evaluation Requirements
Check roads that have been closed to assure that stabilization has occurred and that restrictions are effective.
Monitor vegetation composition and change over time relative to diversity objectives.
Watson MA IV-176