Forum anniversary to be held at lake

"The presidential forum at Lake Tahoe two years ago sparked a spirit of cooperation between all the different participants," Sen. Harry Reid said.

"From the federal government, to state and local government, to business leaders, residents and environmental organizations, there has been a remarkable collaboration focusing on a common goal: To preserve and protect Lake Tahoe," Reid said.

"But just as important as the actual forum is the need to gather together each year to see how far we have come and where we still need to go."

Lake Tahoe's clarity has been declining at a rate of more than a foot a year for the past three decades. In 1997, at the request of Reid, President Clinton and Vice President Al Gore convened a summit at Lake Tahoe.

A $900 million plan to help stop the declining clarity was considered, and legislation sponsored by Reid, D-Nev., and Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., is intended to bring $300 million to the basin over the next 10 years.

The so-called Lake Tahoe Preservation Act will be discussed at Wednesday's workshop, as will the involvement of Nevada and California in raising their shares of the $900 million.

California allocated $20 million for land acquisitions and wetlands restoration projects for this fiscal year. The Nevada Legislature approved a bill which authorizes $56.4 million in state bonds between now and mid-2007. The action creates the mechanism for Nevada to fulfill all of its obligation.

Nevada Gov. Kenny Guinn and Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev., also are scheduled to attend today's workshop. California Gov. Gray Davis canceled his attendance because of scheduling conflicts, but was sending two administration representatives, a spokeswoman said.

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