News Release

US Forest Service
Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit 
35 College Drive
South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
Public Affairs (530) 543-2627
Fax: (530) 543-2743

Date: December 2, 2008
Contact: Public Affairs, Cheva Heck (530) 543-2608 or Rex Norman (530) 543-2627

Public Comment Sought for Lower Truckee Riverbank Restoration Project

South Lake Tahoe, CA. --The US Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) is seeking public comments on a proposed action for the Lower Truckee Riverbank Stabilization Project. The project is located in Placer County, California, and consists of a one-acre parcel on the north shore of the Lower Truckee River.

The goal of the project is to restore the eroded riverbank and the nearby floodplain. Over many years, the riverbank has seen heavy impact by recreational users including kayakers, rafters, and others accessing the river and launching water craft. Over time, the loss of native vegetation along with heavily compacted soils, have resulted in serious erosion and water quality impacts.

To address these impacts and begin restoration of the riverbank, the project proposes re-grading approximately 4000 square feet of the parcel, including 300 feet of the river edge, to restore a natural function of the floodplain both up and downstream. Approximately 5000 square feet would be seeded with native grasses for revegetation. Willows will also be planted to stabilize areas as needed, as well as stone armoring measures to prevent erosion along the riverbank and encourage a natural pattern of water flow.

A detailed summary of the proposed action for this project can be viewed at: www.fs.fed.us/r5/ltbmu/projects/

How to Comment and Timeframe. If you have information the Forest Service may not be aware of, or feel you have issues regarding potential effects of the proposed action, please send your comments to Jim Harris, Hydrologist, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, 35 College Dr., South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150. Written, fax, hand-delivered, oral, and email comments about this project will be most helpful if they are submitted by December 31, 2008. The office business hours for those providing hand-delivered comments are 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. Oral comments may be provided during normal business hours via telephone (530) 543-2738 or in person. Email comments may be sent to:
comments-pacificsouthwest-ltbmu@fs.fed.us. Please use "Lower Truckee Riverbank Stabilization Project" in the subject line.

For further information regarding this Proposed Action, contact Jim Harris at (530) 543-2738, email jsharris@fs.fed.us.

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