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Preserving Lake Tahoe
The Lake Tahoe Restoration Act
Lake Tahoe’s pristine mountain beauty has drawn and amazed people for centuries. The Lake is one the largest and deepest in the nation and is known for the crystal clarity of its water. The entire Lake Tahoe basin boasts some of the most spectacular scenery in the Sierra Nevada and is one of the most beloved and truly special places on earth.
The Lake and surrounding basin, however, are threatened by pollution and drought. If action is not taken, the Lake could lose its famed clarity and the surrounding forests could be destroyed by fire.
To restore the Lake Tahoe Basin, the federal government joined with California and Nevada and the Tahoe community, embarking on a 10-year, $900 million clean-up effort. As part of this partnership, Congress approved the Lake Tahoe Restoration Act in 2000, which I cosponsored. So far, this partnership has enabled more than 200 environmental projects and restoration activities to move forward all around the lake.
In 2003, we marked another milestone, when Senator Reid and I joined with Senator John Ensign, to establish an ongoing source of funding for our Tahoe restoration efforts. Proceeds from federal land sales in the Las Vegas area would be earmarked to fund the $30 million annual federal contribution to the restoration project. To date, the federal government has pledged $450 million.
This funding represents a significant step toward cleaning up the basin. But we cannot do this alone. We need the support of the public, the business community and elected officials to help save the Lake. With your help and support, we can preserve this precious natural resource.
Clarity:
The Lake’s famed crystal-clear water has been muddied by erosion. In 1970, it was possible to see over 100 feet down into the Lake. Five years ago, it was only possible to see 69 feet down on a clear, calm day.
The good news is that the lake’s clarity is improving. In 2000, water clarity was at 67.3 feet and since then, it has ranged between 71 feet and 78 feet. Measurements showed Lake Tahoe was clear to an average depth of 72.4 feet in 2005. However, there is still much more that needs to be done in the coming years. A combination of pollution and sedimentation continues to reduce the Lake’s clarity.
So, efforts must continue to ensure that Lake Tahoe retains its world-renowned clarity.
Risk of Wildfires:
Tahoe is about more than water. The majestic Sierra Nevada Forests, which include the Lake Tahoe Basin, represent some of the highest fire-risk areas in the country.
Insect infestation and drought have killed more than one-third of the trees in the Lake Tahoe Forest, making the forest extremely vulnerable to catastrophic fire. And according to the U.S. Forest Service, the likelihood of a severe fire in the region only continues to grow each year.
This could permanently destroy the habitat of several already endangered species, including the red fox, willow flycatcher, Lahontan Cutthroat Trout, and the yellow-legged frog. And it would most certainly increase sedimentation into the Lake, further reducing its clarity.
That’s why it’s so important that we protect these forests and communities throughout the Lake Tahoe Basin from the threat of catastrophic fire.
To learn more about Lake Tahoe, please view the booklet - The Lake Tahoe Restoration Act (PDF)
For more information, please go to:
• The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency
• California Tahoe Conservancy
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