The U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit began a mastication project this week on the North Shore off of Fairway Drive near Tahoe City.

The project involves using a masticator, which is a large lawn-mower type of heavy equipment that runs over debris and chops it up into smaller pieces. Flying debris from equipment is common. Large chunks of woody material can be thrown up to 500 feet.

A short portion of the Tahoe Rim Trail crosses through the project area. There will be a one- to three-day period where the equipment will be working near the trail.

For public safety, hikers will be diverted to an alternate route along Mt. Watson Boulevard (Forest Road 73) during this phase.

Project work is expected to take approximately six weeks to complete and work will occur on weekends. No work will occur on Memorial Day.