YOUR AD HERE »

Letters to the editor for March 28, 2014

Garbage pickup changes will benefit bear population

Kudos to South Tahoe Refuse and Recycling Services for changing garbage and recycling pick up times. Doing so makes it easier for residents to reduce wildlife problems by complying with ordinances in Tahoe Douglas requiring residents without bear boxes to place their trash curb side the morning of pick up. Without funding for enforcement, this ordinance is inconsistently followed, with great cost to Tahoe bears.

Studies show that dumpster diving bears live one third their natural life expectancy as a result of unsecured trash luring them into trouble. Developing a regional ethic for protecting our wildlife is in the interest of the entire ecosystem which we all share. Bears are an indicator species for the rest, so attending to their needs can help tremendously.



Kathryn Bricker, NoBearHuntNV.org

Zephyr Cover



Stop the Loop Road

Tallac Historic Site. No, this is not about the loop road proposed for Stateline. This loop road is planned by the Forest Service to be built in the open field at the Tallac Historic Site on the north or lake side of Highway 89.

The plan was released for public comment by the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit March 7. There was an article Monday, March 17 describing the Forest Service’s perception of the good things that would come from the plan.

There are good things in the plan. However, the plan proposes major road changes including the construction of a new road that would start across from the Camp Richardson Corral, run approximately parallel to Highway 89 and end at the Taylor Creek Visitor Center.

This loop road is unnecessary. It will seriously affect the scenic landscape of the historic Baldwin, Pope and Heller (Valhalla) estates. These three estates comprise the Tallac Historic Site. The concentration of vehicles on the road will pull the urban interface north and west toward the homes, all on the Register of Historic Places. Instead of building the loop road, the addition of left turn and merge lanes on 89 would aid the ingress and egress to Valhalla, Tallac and the Visitor Center.

Public comment period ends April 6. Opponents of the loop road ask you to write to Nancy Gibson, Forest Supervisor, asking her to reject the construction of the new road. Her address is: Forest Supervisor, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, 35 College Dr., South Lake Tahoe CA 96150.

John Shilling

retired director of recreation, heritage and wilderness management for the National Forests in California

Are walkers, riders forgotten about?

I recently visited South Lake Tahoe, staying at some friends’ house for a few days of R&R. It was my first time visiting Lake Tahoe at all. I did three days of hiking, and was blown away by the beauty of the area on the Cold Creek trail, and also in Emerald Bay State Park and D.L. Bliss State Park. My friends and I enjoyed our dinner at Himmel Haus.

On my way out of town, I was struck by the lack of sidewalks from Viking Way to the transit station at the intersection of 50 and 89. At the transit station itself, I felt like an outcast surrounded by smokers as I secluded myself in a corner with fresh air, waiting for the Amtrak bus. I think South Lake Tahoe would be well served by thinking about the experiences of walkers and transit riders. More, well-maintained sidewalks and a no smoking at transit stops ordinance would be appropriate.

Stu Chuang Matthews

Nevada City, Calif.


Support Local Journalism

Support Local Journalism

Readers around the Lake Tahoe Basin and beyond make the Tahoe Tribune's work possible. Your financial contribution supports our efforts to deliver quality, locally relevant journalism.

Now more than ever, your support is critical to help us keep our community informed about the evolving coronavirus pandemic and the impact it is having locally. Every contribution, however large or small, will make a difference.

Your donation will help us continue to cover COVID-19 and our other vital local news.