Nevada County, the US Forest Service (USFS), and the South Yuba River Citizens League (SYRCL) worked together to purchase two toilets for Lang’s Crossing that were installed mid-August before the Tahoe National Forest temporarily closed.
This popular crossing off Bowman Lakes Road, which sees thousands of visitors every summer, lacked any infrastructure prior to the addition of two vault toilets. The high visitation combined with lack of facilities has long created problems with waste. With the forest re-opening and warmer temperatures this weekend, visitors are expected to encounter these new and welcome additions to the crossing.
“SYRCL is well aware of the problems this crossing faces. Each year we find a significant amount of discarded plastic, cans, dog waste, and, unfortunately, human waste during our annual Cleanup,” said Melinda Booth, SYRCL’s Executive Director. “This is why we were so determined to have them installed.”
The purchase of the two toilets was possible thanks to funding from Nevada County. “Infrastructure within the Yuba River corridor has never properly supported visitation numbers. This is one step in the right direction that will help improve both visitor safety and the health of the river,” stated Hardy Bullock, Nevada County Supervisor for District 5.
The USFS’s commitment to service the toilets was also key to realizing this project. According to USFS Public Affairs Officer, Joe Flannery, “The area at and around Lang’s crossing has experienced an unprecedented number of visitors in recent years and we don’t expect these numbers to decline, especially as summers get longer, hotter, and smokier.” Without their willingness to provide regular and ongoing service, installing these facilities would not be possible.
The toilets are part of SYRCL’s larger initiative to protect the South Yuba from being “loved to death” that include outreach, education, and cleanup efforts. If you want to get involved by volunteering, visit yubariver.org.
About SYRCL: The South Yuba River Citizens League (SYRCL, pronounced “circle”), based in Nevada City, CA, is the leading voice for the protection and restoration of the Yuba River watershed. Founded in 1983 through a rural, grassroots campaign to defend the South Yuba River from proposed hydropower dams, SYRCL has developed into a vibrant community organization with over 3,500 members and volunteers. See: www.yubariver.org.