Lake Tahoe’s pristine mountain beauty has drawn and amazed people for centuries. The Lake is one of the largest and deepest in the Nation and is known for the crystal clarity of its water.

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 has joined with California, Nevada and the Tahoe community and has embarked upon a 10-year, $900 million cleanup effort. As part of this partnership, Congress approved the Lake Tahoe Restoration Act, which I sponsored along with Senators Richard Bryan, Harry Reid, and Barbara Boxer, authorizing $300 million to be spent on restoration efforts. This legislation was signed into law on November 13, 2000.

Clarity
The Lake’s famed crystal-clear water has been muddied by erosion. In 1970, it was possible to see over 100 feet down in the lake. Five years ago, it was only possible to see 69 feet down. The good news is that the lake’s clarity is improving. In 2002, the Tahoe Research Group found that it was possible to see 78 feet down. But there is still much to be done.

Forests
It is not just the Lake that is in trouble. Insect infestation and drought have killed more than one-third of the trees in the Lake Tahoe Forest, making it vulnerable to fire. So it is critical to remove dead and dying trees to prevent the risk of a catastrophic fire that would send increased sedimentation into the Lake, further reducing its clarity.

The Act
To restore the Lake and surrounding forests, the Lake Tahoe Restoration Act:

• Designates Federal lands in the Lake Tahoe Basin as a National Scenic Forest and Recreation Area;
• Requires the Forest Service to develop an annual priority list of environmental restoration projects and authorizes $200 million over 10 years for the Forest Service to implement these projects on Federal lands; and,
• Authorizes $100 million over 10 years in payments to local governments for erosion control activities on non-Federal lands.

The Act also requires the Forest Service to give special attention on its priority list to four key activities: acquisition of environmentally sensitive land from willing sellers; erosion and sediment control; fire risk reduction; and traffic and parking management, including promotion of public transportation.

Funding
The Federal, State, and local governments, as well as local private property owners have committed to fund $900 million to clean up Lake Tahoe:

• The Federal Government - Based on an ongoing funding agreement, the Federal Government will provide $30 million a year until it meets its $300 commitment.
• California/Nevada - California and Nevada have pledged $357 million, and have spent approximately $327 million to restore the region.
• Local Governments - Local governments are committed to raising $101 million and have already spent $48.9 million.
• Property Owners - Private property owners have committed to spend as much as $150 million and have already spent $50 million.
  

To learn more about the Act, please view the booklet - The Lake Tahoe Restoration Act (PDF)

For more information, please go to:

• The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency
• California Tahoe Conservancy
  

• Senate Approves Measure to Ensure Full-Funding for Lake Tahoe Restoration
• Senator Feinstein Addresses Lake Tahoe Transportation and Water Quality Coalition Annual Conference
• Senate Interior Appropriations Bill Includes Millions for Tahoe, the Desert,
  and other Preservation Projects in California
• President Signs Historic Lake Tahoe Restoration Act Into Law
  
  

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