SUBMITTED NEWS RELEASE
South Lake Tahoe, Calif.–The U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) will be offering permits for the public to select and cut holiday trees in the Tahoe Basin beginning Monday, November 22, 2010.  Permits cost $10.00 each (cash or check only, no credit cards) with a limit of two permits per family, valid for cutting on or before December 25.  Permit holders may choose from varieties of pine, fir or cedar, in designated cutting areas, and must abide by specific permit conditions for proper and responsible collection.
Permit sales will be available at two locations:
- On the south shore, permits will be sold at the LTBMU Forest Supervisor’s Office located at 35 College Drive, South Lake Tahoe, CA, beginning Monday, November 22.  This office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.  In addition, this office will be open on two Saturdays, November 27, and December 4, from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.  For more information, call (530) 543-2694.
- On the north shore, permits will be sold at the North Shore Forest Service Office located at 855 Alder Ave., Incline Village, NV, beginning Friday, November 26.  This office is open Thursday through Saturday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.  For more information, call  (775) 831-0914. During winter weather and driving conditions, call the North Shore office to determine permit sale availability.
Please note that both offices will be closed for the Thanksgiving Holiday on Thursday, November 25.  The last day to purchase your  permit at either office is Thursday, December 23.
Individuals purchasing permits will receive information to help them make the best selection, as well as maps designating the tree cutting areas.  Permit holders are reminded to respect private property by not trespassing when entering or leaving designated National Forest cutting areas.  In addition to the traditional experience, the permitted collection of smaller diameter trees, with a trunk of 6 inches in diameter or less, from selected areas will contribute to a reduction of over-growth, particularly among firs, which are also the most  sought after varieties over the holidays.
For more information, contact the Forest Supervisor’s Office, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at (530) 543-2694, the North Shore Office, Thursday through Saturday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. at (775) 831-0914, or visit our web page: http://www.fs.usda.gov/ltbmu.
