South Lake Tahoe, Calif. –  The U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit is seeking public input on a proposal to remove the Incline Lake dam and restore the area impacted by it. The Forest Service purchased the 777-acre Incline Lake parcel, located off State Route 431 in Washoe County, Nev., on July 29, 2008, for its recreational, scenic and natural resource values. During the acquisition process, a site investigation and assessment determined that the Incline Lake dam and spillway do not meet federal, state or local standards for a high-hazard dam (designated as such due to downstream development). Incline Lake has been drained and has not been allowed to refill.
The Forest Service is proposing to remove the major dam and spillway and recontour the area to match adjacent contours and grades. The agency proposes converting the minor dam to a low-water crossing. The project goal would be to restore the groundwater-dependent ecosystem in 30 acres disturbed by the dam, which over 15-20 years would become a system of small- to medium sized ponds, fens and marsh. In the short-term, the project activities would ensure the stability of the site.
The Forest Service would implement the project in summer 2015. Funding for the project comes from the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act. Once the Forest Service reaches a decision on the future of the dam, it will begin management planning for the remainder of the parcel.
Comments during this initial round of public input will be most helpful if received by July 19, 2013. To review the project documents and find out how to submit comments, visithttp://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/
