Forest Service Issues Temporary Closure Order For South Shore Recreation Corridor

Fines up to $5000 Per individual Possible for Violations IN South Lake TahoeClosures in the South Shore Recreation Corridor will be in effect through April 30, 2020.

Correction:  Closures in the South Shore Recreation Corridor will be in effect through April 30, 2020

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif., April 15, 2020 – In alignment with current federal, state and local guidance for social distancing and to ensure health and safety of its employees, visitors and volunteers, the USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) will temporarily close national forest recreation sites and areas in the South Shore Recreation Corridor effective April 13, 2020.

South Shore recreation sites and areas impacted by this announcement include the following:

·         Pope-Baldwin National Recreation Bike Path

·         Pope Beach

·         Camp Richardson Resort

·         Camp Richardson Corral

·         Fallen Leaf Campground/Beach

·         Tallac Historic Site/Beach

·         Kiva Picnic Area/Beach

·         Kiva Beach/Tallac Point

·         Taylor Creek Visitor Center

·         Baldwin Beach

These closures will be in effect through April 30, 2020, and will address public health and safety concerns to area and site related recreation.

. A violation of this prohibition is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than six months, or both per 16 USC 551 and 18 USC 3559, 3571, and 3581.

The USDA Forest Service may elect to temporarily suspend access to additional recreation areas that attract large crowds and cannot meet social distancing guidelines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Visitors to national forests are urged to take the precautions recommended by the CDC so that these areas can remain open for everyone’s enjoyment.

To protect public health and safety, all recreationists enjoying open areas of their national forest near their neighborhoods are encouraged to:

•  Avoid visiting the forest if you are sick and/or experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.
• Follow CDC guidance on personal hygiene and social distancing before and during your visit to the forest.
• If an area is crowded, move to a less occupied location. Also consider avoiding the forest during high-use periods.
• Take your trash with you when you leave. Trash overflowing the receptacles becomes potential sources for the spread of COVID-19.
• Please make arrangements to use the restroom before or after your visit to the forest. Unmanaged waste creates a health hazard for other visitors and employees.

For tips from the CDC on preventing illnesses like the coronavirus, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/prevention.html. Information from the U.S. Department of Agriculture is available at www.usda.gov/coronavirus.

For up-to-date information on the LTBMU and to view the forest closure order, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/ltbmu.

USDA Forest Service

Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit
Forest Order No. 19-20-02

Pursuant to 16 USC 551 and 36 CFR 261.50(a) and (b), and to provide for public safety,
the following acts are prohibited on National Forest System lands under my jurisdiction
within the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit. This Order is effective from April 13,
2020, through June 1, 2020.

1. Entering or being upon the South Shore Recreation Corridor. The boundary of
   the South Shore Recreation Corridor begins at the intersection of the private
   property boundary west of Baldwin Beach meadow and the shoreline of Lake Tahoe,
   then continues south along the private property boundary to its intersection with State
   Route 89, then continues east along the southern boundary of State Route 89 to its
   intersection with Taylor Creek, then continues south along the eastern edge of
   Taylor Creek to the shoreline of Fallen Leaf Lake, then continues east along the
   shoreline of Fallen Leaf Lake to its intersection with Forest Road No. 1212,
   then continues east along the southern boundary of Forest Road No. 1212 to its
   intersection with Fallen Leaf Road, then continues north along Fallen Leaf Road
   to a point 450 feet south of the southern boundary of State Route 89, then
   continues east along the northern edge of Forest Trail No. 17E78G to its
   intersection with the western edge of Forest Trail No. 17E78E, then continues
   due east to its intersection with State Route 89, then continues east along the northern
   boundary of State Route 89 to its intersection with the private property boundary ,
   then continues north along the private property boundary to its intersection with the
   shoreline of Lake Tahoe, then continues west along the shoreline of Lake Tahoe to its
   intersection with the private property boundary at Jameson Beach Road, then
   continues south and west along the private property boundary to its intersection with
   National Forest System lands east of the Beacon Restaurant, then continues north to
   the shoreline of Lake Tahoe, then continues west along the shoreline of Lake Tahoe
   back to the starting point, as shown on the attached map. 36 CFR 261.53(e).
2. Being on any National Forest System road within the South Shore
   Recreation Corridor, as shown on the attached map.
   36 CFR 261.54(e).
3. Being on any National Forest System trail within the South Shore
   Recreation Corridor, as shown on the attached map.
   36 CFR 261.55(a).

Pursuant to 36 CFR 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:

1. Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or fire
   fighting force in the performance of an official duty.
2. Persons with a Forest Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by
   Regulation or Order, Form FS-7700-48, specifically exempting them from the

effect of this Order.

3. Persons with a Forest Service special use authorization for an electric
   transmission line, an oil or gas pipeline, communications site, or any other
   non-recreation special use.
4. Persons with a non-special-use written Forest Service authorization to conduct
   non-recreational activities, such as harvesting timber or forest products, or
   grazing livestock.
5. Owners or lessees of land, to the extent necessary to access their land.
6. Residents, to the extent necessary to access their residences.
7. Persons engaged in a business, trade, or occupation are not exempt from the
   prohibitions listed above, but may use National Forest System roads to the
   extent necessary to carry out their business, trade, or occupation.
8. Persons engaged in essential activities specifically allowed by Nevada State
   Directive 010, while in Nevada and California Executive Order N-33-20,
   while in California.
   These prohibitions are in addition to the general prohibitions contained in 36 CFR Part
   261, Subpart A.
   A violation of these prohibitions is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an
   individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than 6 months,
   or both. 16 USC 551 and 18 USC 3559, 3571, and 3581.
   Done at South Lake Tahoe, California this 13th day of April 2020.

Danelle D. Harrison, Acting Forest Supervisor
Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit