Forest Management
Projects
View information about the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Schedule of Proposed Action (SOPA) quarterly reports and a current list of Lake Tahoe Basin projects.
Accessible Recreation
The agencies managing public lands in the Tahoe Basin have made concerted efforts to provide access to all visitors, and the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit continues to upgrade facilities to meet universal access requirements.
Aquatic Invasive Species
All watercraft, including all motorized and non-motorized vessels, must be inspected and decontaminated before entering Lake Tahoe. Watercraft enthusiasts play an important role in preventing aquatic invasive species from entering Lake Tahoe and the basin's other lakes and streams.
Campfire Restrictions
National Forest System lands in the Lake Tahoe Basin are under year-round fire restrictions. This means wood and charcoal fires are only permitted within metal fire rings in developed campgrounds like Fallen Leaf or Nevada Beach.
Cave Rock Management
Cave Rock is a unique feature in the Lake Tahoe Basin. A remnant of a volcano that erupted over 3 million years ago, Cave Rock is permanently closed to climbing, eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places and is managed for its historical and archeological significance.
Dogs at Lake Tahoe
Where can I take my dog at Lake Tahoe? Your well-behaved, leashed dog is welcome almost anywhere on Lake Tahoe National Forest lands, with the notable exceptions of designated swimming beaches and areas that are restricted for wildlife protection. You must keep your dog on a leash, and pick up after him.
Fire Management
Fire and fuels management is a top priority in the Lake Tahoe Basin. Forest Service crews and our partners work diligently to reduce the risk of wildfire and restore forest health by implementing fuels reduction projects and conducting prescribed fire operations to remove excess vegetation (fuels) that can feed unwanted wildfires.
Meyers Landfill
Meyers Landfill is a closed 17-acre waste disposal site acquired by the Forest Service in 1938. The Forest Service issued a feasibility study and proposed management plan for the Site that identified proposed alternatives for remediation of the landfill. An alternative was selected which consisted of a cap over the waste mass, consistent with EPA's guidance and a "pump and treat" system for addressing the groundwater contamination.
Riverine Restoration Program
Over the past 20 years, the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit has completed a number of large scale projects to restore geomorphic function to stream channels and floodplains. Collectively, these projects have reduced fine sediment entering Lake Tahoe, enhanced aquatic and riparian wildlife habitat, and increased ecosystem resiliency.
Tahoe Yellow Cress Conservation
From crystal blue waters to snow-capped peaks, Lake Tahoe is a special place. Part of what makes it special are the unique plants and animals that call the lake home. Tahoe Yellow Cress (Rorippa subumbellata) is one of these organisms.
Travel Management
The Forest Service road system consists of over 371,000 miles of road, which connect America’s National Forests to the nation and enables private investment and opportunities for thousands of Americans. Funding for maintenance of these roads has declined over the last 20 years while public demand for these roads has escalated, causing the aging network to deteriorate.
Urban Lot Management
The USDA Forest Service initiated the Urban Lot Management Program in 1991 to address management issues on urban intermix parcels acquired through the Santini-Burton Purchase Program. The Forest Service manages these lands with an emphasis on protecting water quality conditions and community open space.
Western Pearlshell Mussels
The western pearlshell (Margaritifera falcata) is a freshwater mussel that is native to the Tahoe basin. Western pearlshell mussels inhabit creeks and rivers, where you can find them wedged between cobbles, partially burrowed in sand, underneath mats of aquatic vegetation, or beneath undercut banks. They have an average lifespan of 60-70 years with some living more than 100 years, making them one of the longest-lived animal species on Earth.
Winter Recreation and Over Snow Vehicle Travel Management
The Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit is busy working on the Winter Recreation and Over Snow Vehicle (OSV) Travel Management Project (Winter Rec Project). Visit the link above for the latest update and next steps.