Nevada Action Seen as Threat to Lake Tahoe

Nevada Gov. Richard H. Bryan signed legislation Wednesday that would change the makeup of the bistate Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and promises to provoke a confrontation with California conservationists.

The bill, passed last weekend by the Nevada Legislature, would transfer appointment authority for two seats on the planning agency from the governor to the Legislature.

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency was created by Congress in 1968 to control development in the Lake Tahoe basin and forestall further degradation of the lake’s water, which is among the clearest in the world. The agency’s board is composed of seven-member delegations from Nevada and California.

Development Stance Feared

Tom Martens, executive director of the League to Save Lake Tahoe, said the Nevada legislation means that the state’s delegation would shift from a pro-environmental stance to one favoring development in the area.

“To win approval, any measure needs four votes from each state,” Martens said. “The development community has had the votes in California since (Gov. George) Deukmejian made his appointments. Now they have it in Nevada.”

However, supporters of the measure maintain that the change was made to give Nevada some influence over the agency and was not aimed at shifting sentiment toward development interests. The changes, they say, would make the appointment process similar to the one that has been used for years in California.

“I don’t expect to see major changes as a result of this,” said Lawrence Hoffman, an attorney who represents landowners in the Tahoe basin. “I do expect to see a decline in the old rhetoric about development versus environmentalists at the board. We will see people trying to get on with the business of the agency.”

California OK Needed

Before it becomes effective, the Nevada action must be approved by the California Legislature and Congress. Martens said his group will “lead the charge” against the changes when they are submitted to Sacramento.

In addition to the shift in appointment authority, Martens said, the league will oppose the deletion of Nevada requirements that some board members live outside the Tahoe area.

If the California Legislature rejects the measure or suggests amendments, the old policy will remain in force until the Nevada Legislature responds. Since the present Nevada Legislature is expected to adjourn soon and will not convene again for two years, any such resistance by the California Legislature could result in long delays before the issue is resolved.