Ensign Calls for Unified Effort to Protect Tahoe
Highlights Success in Securing Resources to Preserve Lake
TODAY [AUGUST 17, 2007] AT THE 10th Annual Lake Tahoe Summit, Senator John Ensign urged the entire Tahoe community to come together and take a critical look at the bureaucratic barriers we face in the common goal of preserving Lake Tahoe for generations to come. Ensign, whose efforts alongside Senator Harry Reid have delivered unprecedented resources for the area, was instrumental in securing $300 million through the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act for water clarity, erosion control and fire suppression at Tahoe.
"We have made tremendous progress since the first Summit ten years ago, but we need a renewed focus and commitment over the next ten years to ensure this precious wonder is here for our grandchildren," said Ensign. "The Angora Fire must serve as an unfortunate but necessary wake up call that brings us together and puts our resources to work in a manner that effectively reduces the risk of catastrophic fire."
Together Ensign and Reid have secured $30 million since 2004 to remove hazardous fuels, but less than half has been spent. Today, U.S. Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne approved an additional $45 million in Lake Tahoe projects, which includes another $10 million for hazardous fuels reduction in the Basin. Since 2004, the Bush Administration has approved over $230 million for Lake Tahoe environmental projects.
"We need an aggressive plan that does not let perfect be the enemy of good," said Ensign, who authored legislation with Reid, which became law last year, authorizing an historic ten-year hazardous fuels reduction plan for the Tahoe Basin.
Ensign to Address American Legion's National Convention
SENATOR JOHN ENSIGN will deliver the welcome address at the American Legion's 89th Annual National Convention in Reno, Nevada, on August 28, 2007. Ensign, a member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, will be discussing various issues facing our nation, veterans and military.
The American Legion, chartered by Congress in 1919, is a war-time veterans organization. The group consists of nearly 3 million members.
WHO: Senator John Ensign
WHERE: Reno-Sparks Convention Center, Hall 4
WHEN: August 28, 2007 at 12:15 p.m. Nevada Time
