Where I Stand — Mike O’Callaghan: New battle to save Tahoe

Friday, Sept. 6, 2002 | 5:49 a.m.

DURING THE PAST SEVERAL DECADES it has been necessary for certain Nevadans to step up and take a stand protecting Lake Tahoe. Today it is Nevada Secretary of State Dean Heller who is willing to take the heat generated by private groups who view the lake as just one more investment they want to exploit for their individual pleasures and monetary gains.

The struggle to save this gem in the mountains has had champions going back to Gov. Charles Russell, who during the 1950s obtained the land to develop Sand Harbor State Park. I had the opportunity, as a state department head, to accompany Gov. Grant Sawyer during his meeting at Harvey's Wagon Wheel with California Gov. Pat Brown. Both men knew the importance of saving the lake. Sawyer in his book "Hang Tough" recalled, "I became a little annoyed when Pat complained that the lake was being ruined by sewage from Nevada. My response was he must believe that Californians don't defecate! (laughter). Lake Tahoe lies 70 percent within California and 30 percent within Nevada and, proportionately, growth on the California side had been much greater."

During the administration of Gov. Paul Laxalt, his relationship with California Gov. Ronald Reagan promoted the process and state Sen. Coe Swobe did the heavy lifting to develop the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency. Today, Swobe serves as a leading member of the TRPA along with Heller, who is its chairman.

In the 1970s, during my terms as governor, I had the opportunity, with the help of state Sen. Thomas "Spike" Wilson, and my assistant, Bob Stewart, to strengthen the TRPA. My second executive order in January 1971 directed the removal of all septic tanks where sewage lines were available and any remaining tanks had to be pumped and the sewage removed from the basin. Casino owner Bill Harrah also became a bit upset when he was told he couldn't build his hotel above the height limits described by agency rules.

In 1997 the Desert Research Institute and UNR professors, state officials, environmentalists, Sen. Harry Reid, Gov. Bob Miller, Sen. Richard Bryan and President Bill Clinton joined hands in efforts to preserve the natural qualities of the lake and the basin. All of them know that Lake Tahoe is a special place where Nevadans and Californians have been given the opportunity to protect and preserve a national and world treasure.

Heller, with the backing of Gov. Kenny Guinn, has now stepped into the fray, knowing that he becomes the target of selfish developers and some insensitive residents of the basin. He fully recognizes our responsibility to save the lake for future generations. His critics had better realize that Nevadans in populous far away Clark County also view the lake as their responsibility. In 1996 the people of this county voted for a $20 million general obligation bond to protect the lake with a margin of 124,991 to 112,293. Yes, the lake and basin belongs to us and the people all the way back to Maine. Its beauty and clarity is not there for us to destroy or to allow the selfish to destroy.

This July I spent three days at Lake Tahoe participating in a states' government panel. The lake and basin are still beautiful, but much more has to be accomplished because all of our efforts haven't been successful. Heller's efforts to protect the scenic treasures of the area must be supported now so additional deterioration doesn't occur.

Our secretary of state has a young family, and years from now they and their children will recall grandpa's efforts to save what he calls the "Jewel of the Sierra Nevada."

On Monday the Sun editorial pages will run a commentary on the programs promoted by Heller and Swobe, his fellow Nevadan."