Clinton’s help sought in preserving Lake Tahoe

Friday, July 12, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

With President Clinton reportedly considering a Tahoe vacation in late August, U.S. Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., and others hope he does more than jump in the lake. They're hoping he'll make an environmental splash by calling for a summit on the lake's future.

The summit advocates may get their wish. Leon Panetta, President Clinton's chief of staff, likes the idea of a federal conference on the mile-high lake, Reid spokeswoman Susan McCue said Thursday.

McCue also noted Panetta is from California, knows the mountain resort area in the Sierra on the California-Nevada line, "and has a lot of regard for Tahoe."

Clinton might vacation in late August at Tahoe, at the same time the Republican National Convention is going on in San Diego. But McCue said, "All we know for sure is that Tahoe on the short list" of possible vacation sites for the president.

Reid said he wants the conference because there hasn't been a summit on Tahoe since the California-Nevada Tahoe Regional Planning Agency was created in the 1960s.

While major casino expansion has been held in check, a big redevelopment project has started on Tahoe's crowded south shore in an effort to draw more skiers, gamblers and other tourists.

In addition, private home construction is increasing -- including some lavish lakefront houses built for wealthy people on the sites of older, smaller chalets that get bulldozed.

The construction is offset only slightly by a continuing effort to get erosion-prone lots off the market through public acquisition.

The lake itself is losing its famous clarity at a rapid rate -- about a foot a year over the past 70 years -- and is down to about 70 feet, and the region faces a severe fire hazard because of all the trees killed by drought and beetle infestations.

Officials also are grappling with problems such as air pollution and polluting runoff from streets and from acres of parking lots that gets into the lake. There's also a growing noise problem caused by popular jet skis on the lake.

Reid said California officials have been discussing a cutback of funds spent on Tahoe projects, and it would be good for Clinton to meet with Nevada Gov. Bob Miller and California Gov. Pete Wilson and "talk about what we can do to preserve this lake."

"It is imperative that local, state and federal officials sit down and reaffirm their commitment to preserving Lake Tahoe," Reid said. 'Under the president's leadership, we can come together to synthesize our goals and reach consensus on an action plan to save the lake."

"Once the president sees firsthand the beauty of this national treasure, I feel confident he will do whatever he can to ensure its survival for future generations," Reid added.

Pam Drum of the bistate TRPA said the agency agrees that a national Tahoe conference is needed.

"The federal government has a significant stake in the preservation of Lake Tahoe as a national resource and we're looking to increase and reinforce the federal government's commitment to the importance of Tahoe as a national treasure," she said.

Drum added that about $500 million is needed for projects to help stop the lake's decline. That includes mass transit and erosion control efforts.