Head of Tahoe Regional Planning Agency quitting

Thursday, Oct. 28, 1999 | 10:59 a.m.

Baetge, 62, has served as chief of the bistate agency charged with protecting Lake Tahoe's fragile environment for more than five years. He underwent kidney surgery earlier this year and has had trouble recovering.

"It's been difficult for him to get all of his energy back given the demands of his job," said TRPA spokeswoman Pam Drum.

Baetge signed on as TRPA's chief executive in May 1994. He has been credited with ending divisive battles among Tahoe interest groups and moving ahead with projects needed to protect the lake.

A highlight is the bistate agency's Environmental Improvement Program, a thick document detailing some $908 million worth of erosion control, stream restoration and other projects deemed necessary by 2007 if Lake Tahoe is to be saved.

Suffering from a host of ecological problems, the lake is experiencing loss of its famous clarity at the rate of a foot or more each year.

"I really think (the EIP) is Lake Tahoe's last great hope," said Larry Sevison, chairman of TRPA's governing board. "Jim was pretty much the backbone of the EIP process. Now it's up to us to perform."

Between now and his departure, Baetge will work on an action plan detailing how improvements outlined in the EIP can occur, the TRPA governing board directed Wednesday.

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