Forest Service mulls parking fee on Tahoe's east shore

U.S. Forest Service spokesman Don Lane said fees at the Secret Harbor and Chimney Beach parking lots could go into effect late this summer if the public accepts the plan.

"The public needs to be supportive of this for it to happen," Lane said. "We're getting a lot of strong support from the agencies, but we need to know what the public thinks."

Under the plan, most of the revenues would go toward a shuttle bus service for beach users on the lake's east shore.

Lane said the transportation system would not only help improve air quality, but also views along Highway 28 north of Incline Village, Nev.

Revenues also could go toward the construction of more benches and restrooms at the beaches, Lane said.

Forest Service officials want to add the two parking lots to a fee demonstration program authorized by Congress.

The agency began charging fees at the Desolation Wilderness Area and Eagle Falls parking lot on Tahoe's west shore under the program last year.

The program calls for all fees collected to go back to the sites where they originated, not the federal government.

Tahoe Regional Planning Agency spokeswoman Pam Drum said the bistate agency supports the fee proposal for the parking lots.

"The goal is to remove as much of the roadside parking as possible," she said.

Forest Service officials considered a season parking pass, but did not think it would work because pass holders would fill the lots, Lane said.

The public is facing a July 15 deadline to submit comments on the plan to the Forest Service.

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