Governor, senators and others to speak at 2017 Lake Tahoe Summit

California Senator Diane Feinstein is hosting the 21st annual Lake Tahoe Summit on Tuesday, August 22 at Vahalla in the Tallac Historic Site from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The theme for the day is "2017- A Pivotal Point for the Future of Lake Tahoe.”

The event will examine successful restoration projects and ways to address new challenges facing the lake. A key focus will be combating the effects of climate change in the Lake Tahoe basin.

Former Interior Secretary Bruce Babbit will deliver the keynote address with additional remarks from Senators Feinstein, Dean Heller (R-Nev.), Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.); Representatives Tom McClintock (R-Calif.) and John Garamendi (D-Calif.); Governor Brian Sandoval (R-Nev.); and Joanne Marchetta, executive director of the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency. The summit is open to the public.

Senators Feinstein and Heller were authors of the Lake Tahoe Restoration Act that was signed into law in December. The legislation authorizes an additional $415 million in federal funds for projects to improve Lake Tahoe’s water clarity, reduce risks for catastrophic wildfires, combat invasive species and protect threatened species and wildlands.

Since President Bill Clinton held the first Lake Tahoe Summit in 1997, an unprecedented partnership including federal, state and local governments, alongside private sector, nonprofit and tribal groups have contributed over $2 billion to restore and preserve Lake Tahoe:

$655.2 million by the federal government.
$813 million by California.
$131 million by Nevada.
$108.5 million by local governments.
$353.9 million by the private sector.

Over 500 projects have been completed, and 139 more are currently underway, including:

- Improving erosion control measures on 762.3 miles of roadways.
- Treating 69,711 acres of hazardous fuels.
- Restoring 17,325 acres of wildlife habitat, including 1,706 acres of Stream Environment Zones.
- Adding 3,195 linear feet of shoreline for public access.
- Creating or improving 153 miles of bike and pedestrian routes.

Since 2009, the Aquatic Invasive Species Program has:

- Conducted approximately 62,047 watercraft inspections.
- Performed over 26,191 watercraft decontaminations for all aquatic invasive species.
- Treated 45 acres of weeds and Asian clams.

There is very limited parking at the event and biking or using the shuttle are highly recommended. The Lake Tahoe Bicycle Coalition will be hosting a free bicycle valet. Shuttle stops are at South Tahoe High School and at the Taylor Creek/Cathedral Road Sno-Park north of Valhalla for the South Shore and the Tahoe City Transit Center for the North Shore.

LimeBike will be offering free bike rentals for summit attendees who ride to and from the South Tahoe “Y.” LimeBike recently collaborated with the League to Save Lake Tahoe to bring bike share service to South Lake Tahoe as pilot program to curb pollution by reducing car trips. Summit attendees can park and switch to a LimeBike at either of two locations: the BevMo! shopping center at the intersection of U.S. Highways 50 and 89 or the Summit’s designated overflow parking area at the Taylor Creek Sno-Park on Cathedral Road.

Please see the photo in this story for a list of times for shuttles.

Online registration for the event is now closed. If not registered plan on arriving early.