South Lake Tahoe, Calif. –The U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) will continue a project to eradicate, control, and contain known and future infestations of “invasive weeds” using chemical treatment. Work will occur Monday, July 9 through Thursday, July 12, 2012.

An Environmental Assessment released by the Forest Service in 2010 identified 493 known infestations located on National Forest System lands managed by the LTBMU. Noxious weeds reproduce and spread rapidly, displacing native plants. They also reduce the amount and quality of fish and wildlife habitat, increase soil erosion and stream sedimentation, and impair recreational access.

Current project areas include the Tallac Historic Site and parking area, the corner of Al Tahoe and Pioneer Trail, Pope Beach, 64 Acres and 64 Acres East, Heavenly Ski Resort, Meyers Landfill, Airport Meadow, Panther Road, near Big Meadow Trailhead (FS Road 1213), west shore of Fallen Leaf Lake, several urban lots in the Angora area (off Mt. Rainier) and off Ski Run Blvd./Wildwood Ave. Invasive weeds found in these areas include Tall Whitetop (Lepidium latifolium), Dalmatian Toadflax (Linaria dalmatica), Yellow toadflax (Linaria vulgaris), and Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense). Treatments will use herbicides similar to the commercial product Roundup. Crews will apply the product by hand and no spraying will occur. Herbicide application will follow approved Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), state, and local direction.

Caution signs will be posted in treatment areas at least 48 hours prior to and after treatment and caution tape will provide a barrier around each treatment area. Treatment areas are very small, totaling less than three acres. Access to treatment sites will be restricted for several hours during and after the application. Forest Service staff will be onsite to monitor the areas in order to ensure public safety while the project is implemented.

For more information, contact Rena Escobedo at (530) 543-2694 or visit http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/ltbmu/InvasivePlantTreatment.