"A U.S. Forest Service proposal would use glyphosate-based herbicides to control brush regrowth after the 2021 Caldor Fire in the Lake Tahoe Basin. The plan targets areas intended to support regeneration of native conifers, including sites near Sierra-at-Tahoe, Kirkwood, Heavenly, campgrounds, trailheads, and areas near homes in Meyers. The broader restoration effort covers up to 75,000 acres, while about 3,000 acres in the basin are under consideration for brush regrowth control."
"Glyphosate, commonly known by the brand name Roundup, is utilized to eliminate shrubs and hardwood trees that compete with newly planted seedlings for sunlight and water. However, its use is highly controversial; the World Health Organization's cancer agency has classified the chemical as a probable carcinogen. Mother Jones reported that pesticide application in California forests has surged, with 266,000 pounds of pure glyphosate applied in 2023 - nearly five times the amount used two decades ago."
"The scope of the project includes potential application areas near the base and parking facilities of Sierra-at-Tahoe Ski Area, as well as forested sections close to Kirkwood and Heavenly ski resorts. Additionally, the proposal covers campgrounds, popular trailheads, and areas adjacent to residential homes in the community of Meyers. While the broader Caldor Fire restoration project spans up to 75,000 acres, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) clarified that approximately 3,000 acres within the Tahoe Basin are specifically being considered for brush regrowth control using these methods."
"The TRPA and local community members have submitted formal comments expressing concerns over water quality, sensitive species, and public safety. While TRPA regulations discourage the use of terrestrial herbicides, they do not strictly prohibit them if specific environmental standards are met. The Forest Service has stated it is working to ensure any herbicide management aligns with threshold standards to protect the basin's sensitive ecosystem."
A U.S. Forest Service proposal would use glyphosate-based herbicides to control brush regrowth after the 2021 Caldor Fire in the Lake Tahoe Basin. The plan targets areas intended to support regeneration of native conifers, including sites near Sierra-at-Tahoe, Kirkwood, Heavenly, campgrounds, trailheads, and areas near homes in Meyers. The broader restoration effort covers up to 75,000 acres, while about 3,000 acres in the basin are under consideration for brush regrowth control. Glyphosate is used to eliminate competing shrubs and hardwood trees. Concerns focus on water quality, sensitive species, and public safety, alongside glyphosate’s classification as a probable carcinogen by the World Health Organization’s cancer agency. TRPA regulations discourage terrestrial herbicides but allow them if environmental standards are met, and the Forest Service says it will align management with threshold protections.
#post-fire-restoration #glyphosate-herbicides #lake-tahoe-basin #water-quality #environmental-regulation
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