South Lake Tahoe, Calif. – The U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) reminds the public that National Forest System roads in the Lake Tahoe Basin remain closed. Forest Service law enforcement officers have observed widespread violations of road closures this winter. In particular, officers have issued a number of warnings and citations for driving on Forest Road 1306, which leads to Camp Shelly and Camp Concord, off Hwy. 89 North.
The LTBMU’s Motor Vehicle Use Map states the legal opening dates for each road. These dates, ranging from May 10 through June 1, represent the earliest the roads will open. If snowy or wet conditions persist, the Forest Service may extend the closure to protect the environment, as well as public safety. Road closures help prevent soil erosion and sediment runoff and, in some cases, protect wildlife. They also help protect public safety – roads that are snow-free near the gate may be impassable at higher elevations.
Drivers should not attempt to bypass or open Forest Service gates. Not all Forest Service roads are gated. The absence of a gate does not indicate that the road is open.
For the most up-to-date information on which roads are open, contact the LTBMU’s front desk at (530) 543-2694. The LTBMU also lists road status on the web at http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/
