For Immediate Release
Wednesday, June 2, 2011
Contact- Kyle Davis 775-338-6732

Nevada bill risks future of Lake Tahoe

Carson City, NEVADA – Kyle Davis, Policy Director of the Nevada Conservation League, issued the following statement today in response to the passage of Senate Bill 271 out of the Government Affairs Committee in the Assembly.  SB 271 passed out of the State Senate last Friday in 19-2 vote.

“Supporting SB271 is a vote for unchecked development, and a vote against cooperation between the states whose job it is to protect Lake Tahoe. It sends the wrong message to voters, and to our sister state: that our elected officials care more about big money developers than safeguarding the crown jewel of the Sierra Nevada.”

Background

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency carries out environmental protection and development around the Lake Tahoe Basin. It was created by the Tahoe Regional Planning Compact in 1969 for Nevada and California. S.B. 271, introduced by Senator John Lee (D-North Las Vegas) would withdraw Nevada from the Tahoe Regional Planning Compact, unless California agrees to specific demands by 2014. The bill demands that TRPA change the bi-state concurrence voting structure for the governing body of the agency; weight “economic conditions” in planning decisions; and require additional burdens on those challenging development plans.

The Nevada Conservation League is the independent political voice of the conservation community. We work to maintain and enhance the natural character of Nevada and the quality of life for Nevadans through effective advocacy, the election of pro-conservation candidates, and building collaboration.

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