Could South Lake Tahoe soon be known not just for its alpine beauty, but as a refuge for black bears? The idea is gaining buzz after a local resident proposed that the city formally declare itself a sanctuary for bears.

During a recent city council meeting, resident Erik Asbury suggested South Lake Tahoe take an official stance on coexistence, saying, “Since we already have the bears, maybe we can create a situation where the bears can misbehave here and there.”

The concept quickly drew support from the BEAR League, a nonprofit that promotes non-lethal bear management and public education. The group has since drafted a formal proclamation urging the city to adopt the sanctuary designation, something that would be a first of its kind in the U.S.

The proposal calls for the city to protect bears from lethal management, invest in community education, and hold residents accountable for unsecured trash or food that attracts wildlife. The BEAR League’s Dave Fleishman said enforcing fines for repeat offenders could be part of the plan.

“This puts the issue on the map,” Fleishman said. “People come from all over the world to see the bears here.”

The South Lake Tahoe City Council has yet to take up the idea, but the California Department of Fish and Wildlife plans to present information on black bear management at an upcoming meeting.

For now, the proposal remains symbolic, but it’s sparking an important local conversation about how humans and bears can better share Tahoe’s mountain home.