Work is scheduled to begin today on restoring a popular and scenic hiking and recreation spot in the Sierra in Nevada County. Loney Meadow is on Bowman Road, off Highway 20, not far from the I-80 junction. It’ll be a joint 2-month project between the Tahoe National Forest and the South Yuba River Citizens League. Forest Service spokesman Michael Woodbridge says it’s still a beautiful area, but has degraded over the years. He says damage has mainly come from a creek that runs through the 50-acre site…

click to listen to Michael Woodbridge

In addition to improving plant and wildlife habitat, Woodbridge says the main goals of the restoration project are recharging the groundwater and reducing the erosion…

click to listen to Michael Woodbridge

Woodbridge says the gradual degradation is actually due more to human factors. That includes from road construction, logging, grazing, and not allowing the natural clearing from fires. And that’s resulted in a downcut stream channel. Officials say if you’re planning to visit the area in September and October, you’ll find limited parking and intermittent trail closures for specific sections. Bowman Road may also be closed for repairs.