South Lake Tahoe, Calif. – The U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) wants to remind residents and visitors the last day to purchase your holiday tree permit is Friday, December 16, 2011.

Permits are available in two locations:

· On the South Shore, permits are sold at the LTBMU Forest Supervisor’s office, 35 College Drive, South Lake Tahoe, Calif. This office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. For more information, call (530) 543-2694.

· On the North Shore, permits are sold at the Incline Village Forest Service office, 855 Alder Ave., Incline Village, Nev. This office is open Wednesday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. For more information, call (775) 831-0914. During winter weather driving conditions, call the Incline office to make sure it’s open.

Individuals purchasing permits receive information to help them make the best selection, as well as maps designating the tree cutting areas. Permit holders should respect private property by not trespassing when entering or leaving designated National Forest cutting areas. Harvesting smaller diameter trees offers residents and visitors a traditional holiday experience while helping to thin the forest.

For more information, contact the Forest Supervisor’s office, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., at (530) 543-2694, the Incline office at (775) 831-0914, or visit our web page: http://www.fs.usda.gov/ltbmu.