The LTBMU (Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit of the United States Forest Service) has released its revised final plan for the basin. It's a mixed bag.
On the one hand, the LTBMU refused to reconsider its OSV winter recreation map..i.e. refused to consider imposing more restrictions on OSV use in the basin. We are not happy with this, and will be objecting to this failure.
On the other hand, the LTBMU did listen to our comment about increasing access: the final plan formally recognizes the need to "increase dispersed winter parking opportunities". This recognition sets the necessary groundwork for infrastructure improvements -- or increased plowing -- to create more winter parking. Thank you, LTBMU, and thank you everyone who submitted comments asking for improved access. Your voices were heard!
The revised plan also took part of our comment on increasing the number of acres designated as "backcountry" and now classifies lands between Blackwood and Ward Creeks as "backcountry". However, they refused to revise the management direction for "backcountry" to require that backcountry be nonmotorized, so this change may not make much of a difference. The major distinction between backcountry and general conservation is with regard to creation of new developed recreation sites, and there is going to be little of that in any event.
On the one hand, the LTBMU refused to reconsider its OSV winter recreation map..i.e. refused to consider imposing more restrictions on OSV use in the basin. We are not happy with this, and will be objecting to this failure.
On the other hand, the LTBMU did listen to our comment about increasing access: the final plan formally recognizes the need to "increase dispersed winter parking opportunities". This recognition sets the necessary groundwork for infrastructure improvements -- or increased plowing -- to create more winter parking. Thank you, LTBMU, and thank you everyone who submitted comments asking for improved access. Your voices were heard!
The revised plan also took part of our comment on increasing the number of acres designated as "backcountry" and now classifies lands between Blackwood and Ward Creeks as "backcountry". However, they refused to revise the management direction for "backcountry" to require that backcountry be nonmotorized, so this change may not make much of a difference. The major distinction between backcountry and general conservation is with regard to creation of new developed recreation sites, and there is going to be little of that in any event.
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