Editorial: Battle is on to preserve Lake Tahoe

Monday, Jan. 11, 1999 | 10:13 a.m.

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency made the right decision when it decided to ban the use of Jet Skis and other personal watercraft at Lake Tahoe starting June 1. The agency had determined that the discharge of the unburned fuel from the personal watercraft contains a variety of toxic pollutants. These pollutants, in turn, are believed to harm the lake's water quality and clarity.

The watercraft manufacturers, however, are seeking to overturn the bi-state commission's ban in court. So it is heartening to see that new California Attorney General Bill Lockyer, on his first day on the job last week, filed papers with U.S. District Court asking that California be allowed to join the lawsuit and defend the prohibition. Following Lockyer's decision, Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa said she also would ask the judge to allow Nevada to help the TRPA.

Business interests and environmentalists have often been at odds over how to live together at Lake Tahoe, one of the most amazing natural wonders in the United States. Some recreationalists and businesses naturally want to cash in on the lake's majestic beauty, which draws visitors from around the world. Environmentalists, meanwhile, believe that continued development has brought about the gradual deterioration of the lake.

The very popularity of Lake Tahoe and other natural wonders in the region, whether it's Zion National Park in Utah or the Grand Canyon, has ironically led to them being overrun by tourists, spoiling their splendor. So those who want to preserve these areas have adopted common-sense plans to balance the needs of environmentalists with business interests.

If personal watercraft were allowed to continue to harm Lake Tahoe's brilliant transparency, everyone would suffer, including business interests. After all, if the lake is fouled from pollution it would damage its charm and likely result in fewer tourists, hurting all the businesses that rely on Lake Tahoe for their continued prosperity.

Lake Tahoe is a national treasure that can't be allowed to be destroyed. Personal watercraft aren't an essential element of enjoying this gem. For anyone to imply that private enterprise should be allowed to operate as it pleases without respect to the environment is ridiculous.