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: April 7, 2009
Contact: Public Affairs, Lisa Herron (530) 543-2815 or Cheva Heck (530) 543-2608

Forest Service Acquires Sensitive Lots in South Lake Tahoe

South Lake Tahoe, Calif. --The U.S. Forest Service, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit has purchased five urban lots totaling 1.71 acres located in South Lake Tahoe. These five parcels were private holdings in an area of federally owned urban lots and were purchased as part of the Forest Service's Urban Lot Management program. The purchase was authorized through the Santini-Burton Act and funded by the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act. This acquisition will promote public access and recreation and preserve open space in the vicinity of the Powerline Trail.

"The Forest Service has been interested in these lots since 1991," said Deputy Forest Supervisor, Eli Ilano. "Now, by completing this purchase, we have consolidated federal ownership in an environmentally sensitive area."

Passed by Congress on December 23, 1980, the Santini-Burton Act authorized the Forest Service to acquire, by purchase and donation, environmentally sensitive lands, and restore watersheds on acquired National Forest System lands. The Act is funded through receipts from the sale of surplus Federal land in the Las Vegas area under the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act (SNPLMA), passed in 1998.

More than 3,500 Urban Lots totaling approximately 13,000 acres with a value of $105 million have been acquired under the authority of the Santini-Burton Act. The Forest Service manages these acquisitions with importance placed on protecting water quality and watersheds, preserving wildlife habitat and open space, encouraging responsible recreation, and maintaining a healthy forest through hazardous fuels reduction projects.

Acquiring undeveloped urban intermix parcels that are environmentally sensitive such as meadows, creeks and streams, areas with highly erosive soils, and steep topography helps to mitigate the negative impacts of urbanization on Lake Tahoe's watersheds.

Urban intermix parcels offer surrounding communities areas of open space that include natural forest vegetation which help to decrease and filter noise associated with everyday human activities and provide a tranquil, more enjoyable residential living condition and recreational experience, and often have a positive impact on property values.

Photo Caption: With the purchase of these lots, the Forest Service has consolidated federal ownership
in an environmentally sensitive area near the popular Powerline Trail.
Photo Credit: U.S. Forest Service.

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