Tree mortality an increasing concern in Lake Tahoe Basin

STATELINE — An increase in tree mortality in the Lake Tahoe Basin due to drought conditions and growing bark beetle populations has local experts teaming up to figure out a course of action. Forest service and fire management officials presented the facts and outlined an action plan at the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) governing board meeting on Aug. 24. “Presently there are more than 66 million dead trees in the state of California,” said Mike Vollmer, environmental i