The U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit is seeking comment on a proposal to use a combination of manual and chemical treatments to control, contain, and/or eradicate Terrestrial Non-native Invasive Plant Species throughout the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit.

The LTBMU has prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA) in order to evaluate the treatment of known infestations found in 493 locations around the basin. The alternatives include chemical treatment for up to 100 infested acres annually and as many acres as feasible for mechanical, manual, or thermal treatments over the next 10 years.

Non-native invasive plant species reduce the amount and quality of fish and wildlife habitat, increase erosion, and impair recreational access. Invasive plants can spread rapidly, especially where there are soil-disturbing activities, because their populations are not controlled by plant-eating wildlife, pathogens and competitors present in their native habitat.

A detailed description of the project including the EA and map is available for review at the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, 35 College Drive, South Lake Tahoe and online at http://fs.usda.gov/goto/ltbmu/InvasivePlantTreatment. Written, facsimile, hand-delivered, oral, and electronic comments concerning this action will be accepted until mid-August.

For further information, contact Cheryl Beyer at (530) 543.2842 or by email cbeyer@fs.fed.us.