As early as August, the City of South Lake Tahoe could trim, top or cut 408 trees at the airport, even as a $500,000 fine from the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency remains unsettled.

The project is necessary to ensure public safety, said Rick Angelocci, assistant city manager for South Lake Tahoe.

State and federal agencies have warned the city about trees encroaching into "imaginary surfaces" required to be clear of obstructions for the safe operation of the airport.

"There are a number of trees which have grown up over the last 10 or so years into that imaginary surface and they have penetrated it," Angelocci said on Tuesday. "We are on notice from the Federal Aviation Administration and the California Division of Aeronautics to have those trees removed." ...