House OKs $200 million for Lake Tahoe restoration

Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2000 | 11:27 a.m.

WASHINGTON -- The House on Monday passed a bill that directs $200 million over 10 years to improve water clarity, promote soil conservation and reduce fire risk at Lake Tahoe.

The bill sets up a funding mechanism that will guarantee money over the next decade for restoration work at the celebrated alpine lake and surrounding forest in Northern Nevada. That's good news for Nevada lawmakers who have had to fight in Congress to win money each year for the lake. The federal funds will be added to a pot of state and local money.

"We must implement protection measures and make the right decisions now before we lose this truly important gem," Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev., said.

The Senate is expected to pass the bill before Congress adjourns, likely this week.

In other action:

Clinton wants to spend $25 billion for new school construction bonds to help districts nationwide build or modernize more than 6,000 schools. An additional $1.3 billion would be set aside for renovations and repairs for more than 5,000 schools; another $1.75 billion would be earmarked for Clinton's continuing effort to hire 100,000 teachers.

Some members of Congress have been reluctant to dabble in funding school construction and repair, traditionally a local tax issue. Democratic leaders say it's time for federal money to funnel to schools. Las Vegas has one of the fastest-growing districts in the nation, adding 100,000 students in the last decade.

Republican and Democratic members of Congress are trying to hammer out compromises on their final pieces of business for this year: several spending bills dealing with education, taxes, foreign debt relief and other issues.