Tahoe-bound snowmobilers urged to avoid areas with minimal snow
With the President's holiday weekend here and snowpack in the Lake Tahoe Basin at low levels, the U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit urges snowmobilers to shift their activities to locations with adequate snow coverage, within permitted snowmobile areas.
Snowmobile operators should avoid bare dirt and patchy snow and should not ride across streams or over small trees or brush. Operating snowmobiles on too little snow creates ruts in the soil and crushes vegetation.
“This winter has been a challenge for all winter recreation users,” said Tahoe Sierra Snowmobiling Club president, Greg McKay. “Snowmobilers should take extra care to minimize resource damage that low snow conditions present when they recreate and should follow Forest Service guidance.”
Causing resource damage can result in a citation punishable by a fine of $5000 or more and/or six months in jail. The Forest Service will continue to monitor areas throughout the Lake Tahoe Basin for compliance in order to protect natural resources.
Information on areas where snowmobiles are allowed is available in the online Snowmobile Guide at http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/ltbmu/Snowmobiling or at the Forest Supervisor’s office at 35 College Drive in South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150, 530-543-2600.
Further south, the Bridgeport Winter Recreation Area for snowmobilers on the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest's Bridgeport Ranger District was closed as of Tuesday, Feb. 13.
The closure will remain in effect until snow depth exceeds the minimum requirement of 24 inches that is needed to open the area again to snowmobile use.
“Without the proper amount of snow resource damage can occur, which is a violation of federal regulations and could carry a fine up to $5,000 and, or six months in jail,” said Adrianne Thatcher, recreation staff officer. “However, people are still allowed to use this area to enjoy other recreational activities such as snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.”
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