Feinstein: California lags behind Nevada's efforts to save Lake Tahoe

SAND HARBOR, Nev. - U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein took her own state to task for lagging behind Nevada's efforts to protect Lake Tahoe and reverse the Sierra Nevada gem's alarming decline in clarity.

"It's clear to me California has a ways to go to match Nevada's commitment to this lake," Feinstein, a California Democrat, said Wednesday.

"Our hope is we'll be able to rise to the occasion," she said at the second anniversary of a presidential summit on the future of the lake, which straddles the two states at an elevation of 6,220 feet in the Sierra Nevada.

Just 30 years ago, a white dinner plate used to measure Tahoe's clarity was visible at a depth of 100 feet. Today, it can be seen at depths of only about 70 feet, with the clarity worsening about 1 foot a year, scientists say.

President Clinton and Vice President Al Gore two years ago pledged support for a $900 million 10-year plan - $300 million in federal dollars - to restore the lake and surrounding forest ecosystem.

Nevada, with about one-third of the lake's shoreline, has agreed to finance its full $82 million share of the plan, ranging from efforts to control pollution and erosion to added emphasis on public transportation at the busy vacation destination.

But California so far has committed only $40 million of the $275 million it is supposed to pay as part of the ambitious plan.

In contrast to California, Nevada Republican Gov. Kenny Guinn and the state legislature completed "quite possibly the best session ever for Lake Tahoe issues," Feinstein said.

"In terms of developing and carrying out specific projects, Nevada is clearly the leader," she told reporters after leading the 3-hour, lakeside briefing with about 200 volunteers, local, state and federal officials.

"The ski people, the hotel people and gambling interests that bring people here have a real responsibility to be sure that (the) match is met" in California, she said.

Gov. Gray Davis, a Democrat, has pledged support for California's full share and backers are pushing an effort to bring a Lake Tahoe bonding proposal to voters next year in the form of a ballot measure.

"This effort started two years ago and our administration just came in this year," said Mary Nichols, secretary of the California Resources Agency.

"The governor is upping the level dramatically in order to catch up to the full amount," she said.

Local activists said they were encouraged by the Davis administration's commitment to the lake.

"The sense is now that California is poised to provide the funding it needs to," said Rochell Nason, executive director of the League to Save Lake Tahoe.

Feinstein and Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., have introduced a bill seeking congressional approval of the Clinton administration's call for the $300 million in federal money. Private entities are expected to pay about $150 million and local governments about $100 million.

Guinn emphasized bipartisanship.

"It's not often we can point to a common goal supported by governors of different parties and senators of different states," he said.

Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev., said he and Rep. John Doolittle, R-Calif., would introduce a version of the Feinstein-Reid proposal in the House.

"Everyone is pulling together because we have one lake and one goal - that's to save it," Gibbons said.

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