Meeks Creek Meadow restoration comments sought
The U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit is seeking public input for a proposed project to restore Meeks Creek Meadow. The project area is located on the West Shore near Meeks Bay.
The proposed project would restore approximately 300 acres of meadow habitat, re-establish a natural fire regime, and provide for diverse wildlife habitat.
Proposed project work would include removal of encroaching trees and prescribed fire operations. Implementation would depend on funding availability.
Tree removal would include hand and mechanical thinning in and around the meadow, and near stream environment zones. SEZs that are determined to be suitable for low impact equipment would be thinned mechanically, while all other SEZs would be hand thinned. Some over-the-snow mechanical and hand thinning could occur.
Thinning operations would utilize existing Forest Service roads along with construction of less than a quarter of a mile of temporary roads, which would be decommissioned after the project.
To provide for public safety when mechanical equipment is in use, temporary closures of Forest Roads 14N42, which provides access to the Desolation Wilderness trailhead, and 14N44, could occur. The Forest Service would explore options to prevent disruption of access, but a closure lasting approximately two weeks is possible.
The 30-day comment period ends April 30. Comments may be submitted electronically to comments-pacificsouthwest-ltbmu@fs.fed.us. For more information, contact Sarah Muskopf at (530) 543.2835 or email smuskopf@fs.fed.us, or go online.
First, the proposition that the meadow “needs to be restored” is a proposition that must be supported. If anything, the flat portion of land between the two spires that form the watershed leading to the lake may simply be returning to its normal state. Indeed, the trees are crowding in and growing like weeds in the abundant light. What is the objective? Keeping the creek in its banks? “Restoration” is a word that implies that something is wrong. Restoring the creek to what state? Right now the creek is in a wild state.
Second, the tree thinning program instituted by the Forest Service near Meeks Bay has yet to show success. Hours of endless blaring of chain saws were followed by stacks of drying timber, and then was followed by burning. The burning at times got out of hand. The trees have yet to grow back. What is the long term plan for forest management on the hills surrounding the meadow? What is the plan for the meadow exactly and what science supports it?
My public comment would be that this proposal is hasty and I would like to see much more in the way of a plan and reasons for it. What changes are being proposed for the creek and what is the justification for it?
I am hoping that the public comment period is designed to actually garner input toward a weighty decision.
Please keep me in the loop.
Steve Toschi
Tahoe Hills