Bi-state fire commish meets

For Immediate Release: September 10, 2007

Carson City – The joint Nevada-California Lake Tahoe Basin Fire Commission convened for the first time today at the Lake Tahoe Community College to conduct a comprehensive overview of forest management in the Lake Tahoe Basin , including the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency. The meeting began early this morning and adjourned just after 5:30 p.m. PDT.

“The aggressive schedule set during today’s meeting is the first of many positive and necessary steps toward the creation of improved forest management policy in the Lake Tahoe Basin ,” said Governor Gibbons. “I want to thank the members of the commission for taking time out of their personal schedules to participate in these discussions. Their efforts, as well as the participation from local residents, will ultimately produce historic changes to the practices that currently dictate forest health and fuels management.”

During today’s meeting, the commission received testimony from local residents as well as the Tahoe Regional Planning Association. Following the testimony, the commission came together and formed two committee groups that will focus on forest fuels, and homeowner and community protection.

“We all share the same the goal, a healthy and vibrant Lake Tahoe Basin ,” Governor Gibbons added. “However, this goal can only be achieved through proven practices and sound science.”

The second commission meeting is scheduled for September 21st. Committee meetings will also be held on the 21st prior to the commission’s full meeting. A third commission meeting is scheduled for mid October.

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