Chambers unite for Angora, July 7

TAHOE CHAMBERS SUPPORT CALL FOR
BLUE RIBBON FIRE COMMISSION

Lake Tahoe’s two largest chambers of commerce have issued a joint statement in support of a Blue Ribbon Fire Commission to explore ways to better manage public forests in the Lake Tahoe Basin. The call comes in the aftermath of the Angora Fire,which destroyed over 250 homes west of South Lake Tahoe and burned 3100 acres of
prime forest land.

In a June 29 letter to California Governor Arnold Schwarenegger and Nevada Governor Jim Gibbons, California State Senator Dave Cox, whose district includes LakeTahoe, asked the governors to create a joint Blue Ribbon Fire Commission. “It is my hope that out of this tragedy we can begin to look for ways to make the forest in the Lake Tahoe Basin healthier and at the same time reduce the threat of future catastrophic wildfires and long term impacts to the lake’s legendary water quality,” Cox wrote. “The focus of the commission should be on such issues as to how to more
effectively reduce fire fuels and how to better coordinate these efforts on both sides of the state line,” he added. “The commission should look for ways to provide guidance to
local, state and federal leaders on ways to reduce regulatory burdens that plague every aspect of fire prevention in the Lake Tahoe Basin. Consideration should also be given
to enhancing public education on wildfire prevention.”

“It’s clear that the current approach to forest fuels management is inadequate,” said Betty “B” Gorman, President and CEO of the Lake Tahoe Chamber of Commerce. “Hundreds of our constituents and community residents have been displaced, many have lost everything. Over 3100 acres of Tahoe’s world class environment have been devastated. We simply must do a better job to protect our communities and Tahoe’s unique environment.”

North Lake Tahoe Chamber Executive Director Steve Teshara agreed.
“Business as usual is not acceptable,” he said. The agencies which manage and regulate the lands and resources of Lake Tahoe need to protect our communities as well. We all need to listen more to the experts on defensible space and wildfire prevention and take action accordingly.”

Combined, the chambers represent more that 1,700 members, including large and small business, community organizations and interested individuals. Copies of the joint chamber statement and the full text of the letter written by Senator Cox are
available at www.tahoechamber.org or www.northlaketahoechamber.com.