Trees are turning brown along in the Lake Tahoe basin, and experts think it's because of a combination of drought and road salt.
Thor Dyson of the Nevada Department of Transportation says the lingering drought and the winter use of salt have taken a toll on trees along roadways such as State Route 28.
He says his agency has tried to reduce its use of salt at Tahoe over the last 20 years, but still must use it for public safety on icy roadways.
In the 2008-09 fiscal year, NDOT put down a total of 213 cubic yards of salt on State Route 28 in Washoe, Douglas and Carson counties.
In 2002, officials said studies found road salt played a minor role compared with drought and insects.
Information from: North Lake Tahoe Bonanza
