HARRY REID STATEMENT
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Nevada Senator Harry Reid released the following statement today after the Lake Tahoe Restoration Act passed the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.
“This is the first step toward passing the Lake Tahoe Restoration Act. This bipartisan legislation will give Lake Tahoe, our treasured Jewel of the Sierras, the continued attention it has always needed and deserved. Substantial work with stakeholders has taken place to craft this important legislation, and I look forward to sending it to the House of Representatives in the near future.”
Background on the Lake Tahoe Restoration Act
• Restores Lake Tahoe and the Tahoe Basin. The legislation authorizes $243 million over 10 years for the highest-priority restoration projects based on scientific data. The legislation authorizes at least
$138 million for storm water management and watershed restoration projects that are scientifically-determined to be the most effective ways to improve water clarity. The legislation also requires a prioritized ranking of environmental restoration projects and authorizes $80 million for the Lake Tahoe stakeholders to implement these priority projects. Implementation of priority projects will improve water quality, forest health, air quality and fish and wildlife habitat around Lake Tahoe.
• Reduces the threat of wildfire in the Tahoe Basin. Authorizes $135 million over 10 years for hazardous fuels reduction projects to reduce the threat of fire in the Lake Tahoe Basin. It also creates incentives for local communities to have dedicated funding for defensible space inspections and enforcement.
• Protects Lake Tahoe from the threat of Quagga mussels and other invasive aquatic species. The bill provides $30 million for watercraft inspections and removal of existing invasive species and requires all watercraft be inspected to prevent the introduction of invasive aquatic species in accordance with the Lake Tahoe Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan.
• Supports reintroduction of the Lahontan Cutthroat Trout. The legislation authorizes $20 million over 10 years for the Lahontan Cutthroat Trout Recovery Plan. The Lahontan Cutthroat Trout is an iconic species that has an important historic legacy in Lake Tahoe. Lake Tahoe is one of the historic 11 lakes that had Lahontan Cutthroat Trout in the past and is a critical part of the strategy to recover the species.
• Funds scientific research. The bill authorizes $30 million over 10 years for scientific programs and research that will produce information on long-term trends in the Basin and inform the most cost-effective projects.
• Prohibits mining operations in the Tahoe Basin. The legislation would prevent the start of any mining operations in the basin, ensuring the fragile watershed and Lake Tahoe’s water clarity are not threatened by pollution from mining operations.
• Increases accountability and oversight. All projects funded by this legislation will have monitoring and assessment in order to determine the most cost-effective projects and best management practices for future projects. The legislation also requires an annual report to Congress detailing the status of all projects undertaken including project scope, budget and justification as well as overall expenditures and accomplishments.
• Provides for public outreach and education. The legislation requires signage on federally financed projects in order to improve public awareness of restoration efforts. In addition, the bill creates a public outreach and education program to encourage basin residents and visitors to implement defensible space to limit wildfire risk; to implement best management practices for water quality protection; and to take actions to prevent the introduction and proliferation of invasive species.
• Allows for increased efficiency in the management of public land. Under this legislation, the Forest Service would have increased flexibility to exchange land with state and local entities allowing for more cost-efficient management of public land. Currently, the Forest Service manages more than 3,200 urban parcels spread throughout the Basin.
