Cattle grazing illegally in Tahoe basin
- This photo, taken Aug. 4, shows cattle grazing illegally in the Lake Tahoe Basin, specifically the Big Meadow area. Grazing was discontinued more than 10 years ago in Meiss Country where Big Meadow is located. The South Shore resident who took the photo and wants to remain anonymous said, “This situation has occurred numerous times since the ban of cattle in the area and responsible agencies have been negligent in preventing this resource damage to the watershed.” Twenty-seven head of cattle were counted. The U.S. Forest Service controls the land. It was too late to obtain a comment from the feds.
If no one wants them I will take them. Have rope will travel.
“If enough time goes by, maybe people will have forgotten about the ban”. Good try USFS and ranchers. I was dismayed this past weekend to initially come across the tell tale cow patties and trampled vegetation, yet did not see any actual bovine creatures. Ridiculous.
Who is responsible and what is the course of action for removal and restoration?
More Coyotes on there way.
They are here on vacation for just a short time. Charge the owner TOT ( Teat on Teat ) tax and send the cops in when they Moo past ten O’clock. If they stay in one place to long charge them a parking fee. They will be back in the basin as a burger soon anyway
Seriously……..someone is concerned that there are 27 head of cattle grazing on overgrown native pasture ground. Dear “anonymous” – please move back to San Francisco.
Maybe it’s a fire fuel reduction scheme- no goats or sheep were available…
Tahoegal, you are aware of the destruction that cattle grazing did to multiple stream-zones in the Tahoe basin, aren’t you?
Cattle get out of their pastures sometimes. I have seen fresh cow patties at Grass Lake and there is no grazing there. A couple of friends who mt bike say it is the quad riders and bikers taking down fencing and then cattle do what they do. Roam, graze and poop. They will be rounded up and out of there in a few weeks.
Anyone know why there are now cattle at the Celio Ranch?
Curious how this is an illegal activity? TRPA has grazing as a special use (aka, allowed with findings) in the Luther Pass and Dardenelles plan areas. USFS is the land owner (I assume). They sometimes deign to TRPA but I’d assume they’d see grazing as allowed. Any “ban” they put in would be theirs to rescind.
The cattle wandered over from a grazing allotment on the Humboldt-Toiyabe. A member of the public left the gate on the Scotts Lake Trail open and cattle came through. We talked with the Carson District Ranger this morning, they are aware, and so is the owner, who was looking for his animals. They should be gone today. The H-T has replaced one gate and will be replacing the other by the end of the season to make them more obvious and easier for the public using the trail to open and close. If you’re hiking, biking or riding the trail, please close the gate behind you. Thanks!
Cheva, Understood. We really appreciate the quick and professional reply. That makes total sense. As I passed through the Scott’s Lake > Big Meadow gate, if you can call it that, as it barely is standing, I can see how the cattle made their way to “greener pastures”. Thank you. C
C. Dub, you’re welcome!
Bigger picture…yes I am aware. Do you know how much destruction is caused by humans, mountain bikers, dogs, coyotes……let’s just ban them all – oops, I probably made your point – you would prefer to ban them all.
I believe that the cattle were removed mainly because the fecal coliform count in the Upper Truckee River was off the charts due to the cattle grazing. This in addition to other resource damage.
Cheva, I don’t think everyone knows what H-T means, even though it was mentioned in your post.