For Immediate Release
Saturday, June 18th, 2011
Contact:  Kyle Davis, Policy Director (775) 338-6732

Nevada Gambles Away Lake Tahoe

Carson City, NV – Today Governor Sandoval signed SB 271, a controversial bill that will lead to the State of Nevada pulling out of a 40 year compact that has overseen responsible development and environmental protections that have kept Lake Tahoe blue. This legislation was supported by powerful special interests representing developers and gaming and opposed by conservationists, scientists, and Lake Tahoe residents.

Lake Tahoe is the crown jewel of the Sierra Nevada.  It is irresponsible to gamble the environmental future of the lake to leverage changes to the compact that would make development easier,” said Kyle Davis, Policy Director for the Nevada Conservation League.  “Furthemore, the lack of public input and thoughtful deliberation about the consequences of this legislation has damaged the opportunity for good faith negotiations in the future.”

SB 271 was signed by Governor Sandoval on Friday, after passing the Legislature in the closing minutes of the 2011 session.  The bill provides that Nevada will withdraw automatically from the Compact should California and Congress fail to agree to an unreasonable series of terms. The bill deprives each state of its sovereignty by changing the voting procedures of the TRPA, the governing body of the compact signed into law by Nevada Governor Paul Laxalt in 1969 and California Governor Ronald Reagan.

“The current voting structure encourages consensus and results in projects with broad public support,” added Davis.  “It also maintains each state’s sovereignty.”

From an economic standpoint, the bill will impose new uncertainties upon small businesses and property owners, who will have even less guidance about what will be permitted on their property in the future. Real estate speculators may see financial opportunities in this bill, but those who rely on their capital for income and retirement security will be discouraged from investing under such uncertain circumstances, which will likely go on for years.  It’s a recipe for economic as well as environmental disaster.

Lake Tahoe is a national treasure that must be protected for future generations. Cooperation between the two states and the federal government is essential to ensuring a unified and uniform approach to land-use planning and environmental protection.

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