Senate approves $300 million for Lake Tahoe

Friday, Oct. 6, 2000 | 9:16 a.m.

Action by the Senate late Thursday sends the bill to the House as lawmakers scurry during the waning days of the congressional session.

The Lake Tahoe Restoration Act would authorize up to $300 million over the next 10 years for land acquisition, erosion control and other projects deemed critical to saving the crowned jewel of the Sierra from further environmental degradation.

"Passage of this bill moves us another step closer toward fulfilling the federal commitment to protecting a national environmental treasure," said Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., who co-sponsored the Senate bill with Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif.

President Clinton hosted an environmental forum at the lake in July 1997, calling national attention to the problems that threaten the lake's ecosystem.

At that time, experts estimated $908 million worth of projects needed to be completed within a decade to prevent Lake Tahoe's clear, azure blue waters from turning green. Once that happens, scientists say the damage would be irrevocable.

Tahoe is losing an average of a foot of clarity each year because of algae growth in its waters, a problem largely associated with development around the Tahoe Basin that straddles the Nevada-California line.

A recent report by the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, a bi-state panel created by Congress to protect Lake Tahoe, said federal, state and local governments and the private sector have spent about 24 percent, or $221 million, of the money needed so far.

Some environmentalists have been critical of the federal government's slow show of support but say they are encouraged by the Senate action.

Money authorized by the act would still be subject to annual appropriations by Congress.

"Standing with President Clinton and Vice President Gore at Lake Tahoe in 1997, we made a promise to Nevadans and to all Americans that we would do everything in our power to protect the beauty of Lake Tahoe," Reid said.

The House version of the bill is sponsored by Reps. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev., and John Doolittle, R-Calif.