President's Tahoe Vacation, Tahoe Summit Still Possible

Reid, D-Nev., said he'd like to see the summit held this fall. He added the meeting is his idea and isn't being pushed as a way to enhance Clinton's standing on environmental issues prior to the November election.

Clinton has been harshly criticized by environmentalists for his signing of a law that suspended environmental rules to allow the sale of salvage timber by the U.S. Forest Service. That includes timber in the Tahoe region.

Reid also said he expects a decision by Monday on the president's vacation plans, which would probably coincide with the Republican National Convention Aug. 12-15 in San Diego.

"We know there has been an advance team that has been visiting the area," said Reid, adding that various homes at Tahoe, on the Nevada-California line, have been checked out. That includes the lavish Whittell estate, located on nearly a mile of shoreline on the Nevada side of the lake.

The property, which was on the market for $60 million, is owned by mutual fund tycoon and philanthropist Jack Dreyfus Jr. A conservancy group has an option that could result in the estate, largest at Tahoe, becoming a public park.

Reid said he has discussed the Tahoe summit proposal with Leon Panetta, Clinton's chief of staff, and the idea now is being reviewed by Katherine McGinty, director of the president's office on the environment.

"So I think we've covered our bases. We've done what we can to get the president there," Reid added. "I feel confident he will do it. It's a question of when."

Even if Clinton couldn't attend the summit, Reid said he's "extremely confident" that Vice-President Al Gore would attend.

The session also should include governors from Nevada and California, the two states' U.S. senators and House members, Reid said, adding "There's no environmental issue of more importance."

Tahoe's famous clarity is now down to about 70 feet - half what it was in the early 1900s. The area also faces a severe fire hazard because of all the trees killed by drought and beetle infestations.

Officials also are grappling with problems such as air pollution and polluting runoff from streets and from acres of parking lots that gets into the lake - while working on major redevelopments certain to increase tourism.

The California-Nevada Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, created in the 1960s, oversees development at Tahoe. But Reid said California officials have been discussing a cutback of funds that help the bistate agency achieve its goals.

He also said transportation problems continue, despite some mass transit projects.

Reid said public funding has financed many projects to help preserve Tahoe, adding, "We haven't done too poorly with money for the lake."

But TRPA officials have said about $500 million is needed for more projects to stop the lake's decline. That includes more mass transit and erosion control efforts.

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