The U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit plans to restore wetlands and remove the dam at the site of the former Incline Lake.

The Forest Service purchased the Incline Lake parcel off Mt. Rose Highway in 2009 for its recreation, scenic and natural resource values. During the acquisition process, a site investigation determined that the Incline Lake dam and spillway do not meet federal, state or local standards for a high-hazard dam. The dam is designated as high hazard due to development downstream along Third Creek. The sellers drained Incline Lake prior to completion of the acquisition by the Forest Service, and the lake has not been allowed to refill.

The Forest Service will remove the major dam and spillway and recontour the area to match the surrounding landscape. The minor dam will become a low-water crossing. A variety of techniques will be used to stabilize the area and reestablish wetland vegetation. It will be a 15- to 20-year process to restore the 30-acre area disturbed by the dam to a series of small- to medium-sized ponds, fens and marsh.

The USFS will be working with the community on what to do with the 777-acre site.

Anyone who filed a formal comment on the project has 45 days to file an objection to the decision. For more info, go online.