Partying students leave behind trash at California's Shasta Lake (2024)

Forest Service officers are left to pick up most of the mess that college students made during Memorial Day Weekend.

Around 3,000 students from the UC Davis and the University of Oregon were accused of leaving trash and debris behind at Lake Shasta in California following Memorial Day Weekend parties,CBS Sacramento reported.

Some of the trash students left behind after the rowdy celebrations included plastic cups, drink cans, and ping pong balls.

Prior to the parties, the Forest Service gave the students bags and requested that they clean up after themselves.

The universities are now actively investigating the events, and students at UC Davis may face disciplinary measures from the school.

A US Forest Service officer Debrah Carlisi spoke with KGW8 and CBS Sacramento about the matter and revealed to the Oregon news station that the mess wasn't surprising.

'They all rent individual houseboats, and they gather at Slaughterhouse Island,' she said regarding to partying students.

'They came and we really didn’t have any problems, except for the trash that they left behind.'

Deborah Carlisi, a Shasta-Trinity National Forest officer, told CBS Sacramento that it took Forest Service members six hours and 17 trash bags to clean up most of the mess.

'Some students used them. Some students didn't,' said Carlisi.

'The worst part is the trash down at the bottom of the lake that we won't be able to pick that up until late next month or early July.'

Carlisi told both news stations that the students' choices could impact the fish and wildlife that live in Lake Shasta, including deer.

'What was left behind in the lake could be damaging to our fish and wildlife, which is a big problem. If a deer goes down to the water and eats a plastic wrapper, that would make them sick,' Carlisi told CBS Sacramento.

UC Davis and the University of Oregon have released statements about the matter and the actions of its students.

'The university was disappointed to learn of this conduct, and is exploring ways of working with students to help restore the site or otherwise address the situation,' said US Davis.

'Students are expected to comply with all laws, and failure to do so may result in discipline under the university.'

UCS Davis added that the events at Lake Shasta were 'not sanctioned or sponsored by the university.'

'The garbage left behind does not represent the values of our institution we are sorry for the impact to the island and extra work for the Forest Service,' a spokesperson for the University of Oregon wrote in an email to Daily Mail.

'We are investigating this event and working with the US Forest Service and our students to remediate the damage and hopefully prevent similar actions in the future.'

The school added that the parties were not 'university sanctioned or sponsored' events and that many University of Oregon attendees are 'members of university-recognized fraternities and sororities.

'The Interfraternity and Panhellenic Councils at the University of Oregon were disheartened to learn of the conditions left at Shasta Lake following Memorial Day weekend,' said the University of Oregon.

'As organizations who strive to center service and community engagement, the students recognize that they missed the mark and must do better.'

Carlisi is now hoping that students and other Shasta Lake visitors will begin taking better care of the area and protecting its lands.

'The Shasta-Trinity Forest is a beautiful forest and it's up to us to keep it that way,' Carlisi told CBS Sacramento.

'Just care for your land. That's something all of us should be doing,' Carlisi said.

Daily Mail has reached out to UC Davis for comment.