Vol. 2, No. 21
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September 1, 2005
Nevada's Online State News Journal
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CRIMINAL DEFENSE |
COPYWRITING
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Fire Danger At Lake Tahoe Addressed By Nevada Senator Ensign, CA's Feinstein
Recent Major Western Blazes Bring Federal Action Along With Money To Fulfill Promises
In a rare show of bi-partisanship Senators John Ensign (R-NV) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) announced a plan to craft legislation for fire fuel reduction in the Lake Tahoe Basin. The Alpine lake, nestled in the Sierra Nevada is split down the middle separating the Golden State from the Silver State. Magnificent forest abounds in the basin, but those forests have also generated tons of dry fuel, which could bring a catastrophic fire to the region.
"Such a fire is real," Ensign said, "and we must put as many resources as possible into protecting this beautiful national treasure." Ensign said Senator Feinstein "did a tremendous job working to pass the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003, and I'm proud to join her in this effort."
The two spent the day at the lake reveling in high altitude sunshine and discussing just what a tinderbox the area is. Ensign outlined how he hopes the project will work. The Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act (SNPLMA), legislation which Ensign authored, has already provided critical funding for fuel reduction. SNPLMA required that a disposal boundary be drawn around the Las Vegas valley and that the disposable land be auctioned to the highest bidder. The proceeds of those land auctions, which Ensign says, have generated more that $2 billion, go into a fund to acquire environmentally sensitive land in Nevada for the state's general education fund.
He says the most recent round of recommended expenditures include $10 million for fuel reduction at Lake Tahoe. Feinstein and Ensign say they plan to ask Congress for $200 million for the Lake Tahoe projects.
Because of a moratorium on tree cutting, brush trimming, and general cleaning up of the forests, fuel levels are at a critical level. On top of that, forest officials say that as many as seven percent of the trees in the basin are dead or dying adding to the fire hazard. Between extended droughts and a beetle infestation many trees are weak or suffering.
A catastrophic fire in the Tahoe basin could very well affect the clarity of the lake besides destroying thousands of homes and disrupting the lives of hundreds of thousands. As beautiful, almost pristine as the Lake Tahoe basin appears, it is an economic hub for tourist activity in California and Nevada. Major ski areas dot both sides of the lake, summer activities bring thousands to the area, and Nevada gambling resorts add more thousands to the list.
Ensign said, "Fuel reduction is a priority and will require a team approach." He anticipates action from the Nevada and California Congressional delegations.
In the meantime summer heat has been pounding the basin and the Tahoe National Forest has put some severe fire restrictions in place. Forest Supervisor Steve Eubanks said, "Fire season is here and with the continuing hot, dry weather, we need the public's help in being fire safe." Eubanks says illegal or abandoned campfires are the number one cause of human-caused fires.
According to fire officials it takes many factors to determine when the need for restrictions must be put in place. These include moisture in live and dead vegetation, wind, temperature and humidity, and weather patterns in the area.
Eubanks said most of the National Forests in the Sierra Nevada now are under severe fire restrictions. For more information go to http://www.fs.fed.us.
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