Opinion: Industrialization in South Lake Tahoe

There’s talk of expansion in South Lake Tahoe, but this town must be mindful of its beloved nature. However, it has the capability of evolving into a prosperous city through tactful ways of expanding and changing. The awareness of the League to Save Lake Tahoe, the city's plans for airport reconstruction, and the growing tourism industry in California show that expansion for South Lake Tahoe is beneficial, or at least manageable, for everyone.

When it comes to expanding South Lake Tahoe, the City Council and the League to Save Lake Tahoe, otherwise known as Keep Tahoe Blue, have combating ideas; the City Council wants to expand commercial infrastructure throughout the city, whereas Keep Tahoe Blue wishes to develop conservation plans throughout neighborhoods. This organization’s primary goal is to protect the lake and Tahoe’s well-known nature. If Tahoe has devoted scientists and volunteers protecting wildlife and the lake, it should be able to grow without fear. This organization also watches over city plans, like the airport master plan.

There has been chatter about plans of changing, possibly upgrading, the local airport: such changes increasing the influx in South Lake Tahoe. Currently, it is only suitable for smaller, private planes, but these new plans could promote the types of planes the airports can sustain (cityofslt.us). Within this plan, the city aims to “increase the efficiency of Airport management/operation,” while remembering to “protect wetlands and lake clarity,” according to the Phase 2 Report. This airport expansion could increase attention and accessibility. In the “Sierra Sun,” a North Lake Tahoe based newspaper, South Tahoe-based tourism consultant Carl Ribaudo claimed South Lake Tahoe had seen “tremendous improvements” and believes we “need to continue” improving the area (sierrasun.com). Improving the airport could be the catalyst to a city on the rise.

Although competing with other California destinations, Lake Tahoe offers something else for Californian tourists. The “Sierra Sun” interviewed the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority Executive Director, Carol Chaplin, and discussed the "promotion of culture" in California, Chaplin says "that is something we can capture on the South Shore. Culture is the new brand." South Lake Tahoe needs to appeal to a changing amount of tourists with evolving wants and requirements. California is a booming tourist magnet, but South Lake Tahoe needs to expand on its assets to stand out among the abundance of destinations.

Emily Abuhajleh, a student at South Tahoe High School, wrote this opinion as a project in Mr. Filce's English Class.

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