Lake Tahoe’s forests need recovery after the Caldor Fire. But the restoration plan is adding chemical pressure to one of the country’s most sensitive watersheds.

The U.S. Forest Service released its Caldor Fire Restoration Project decision in March 2026. The plan covers roughly 11,700 acres of national forest land in and around the burn area. It includes stream and meadow restoration, wildlife habitat improvements, native seedling preparation, fuel reduction, and approved herbicide use to support reforestation.

That herbicide language has sparked public concern.

Residents Want Transparency Before Chemicals Are Used

The Guardian, in a story co-published with The New Lede, reported that the Forest Service plan lists glyphosate and four other herbicides and estimates that 2,400 to 3,600 acres may be treated to support reforestation.

SFGATE reported that residents and environmental advocates have pushed for more detail about where chemicals would be applied and how Lake Tahoe’s watershed would be protected.

KUNR reported that the agency said no herbicide use is planned in the Basin for 2026 or 2027. Treatments could occur later if manual vegetation removal is not feasible.

That gives officials time to choose a safer path.

Nonchemical Methods Must Come First

South Tahoe Now reported that herbicides could still be considered later under the approved project actions. Keep Tahoe Blue says it is asking for greater transparency, including where herbicides would be applied, why they are necessary, what alternatives were considered, and what safeguards would protect waters, streams, wetlands, and wildlife.

The EPA has said its ecological risk assessment found potential effects on birds, mammals, and terrestrial and aquatic plants.

Lake Tahoe deserves the strongest caution. Federal and regional officials should suspend synthetic herbicide use, publish exact treatment maps, expand water monitoring, and require manual, mechanical, prescribed-fire, planting, mulching, and other nonchemical methods wherever possible.

Post-fire recovery should protect wildlife habitat, not trade one threat for another.

Sign the petition to urge officials to stop glyphosate spraying near Lake Tahoe wildlife habitat and put nonchemical restoration first.