On the recordMarch 2, 2011
I rise today to discuss the need to restore and protect Lake Tahoe. Lake Tahoe is a national treasure. Her alpine beauty has drawn and inspired people for centuries: artists and poets, John Muir and Mark Twain, and millions of visitors from around the world. As a girl, I went to Lake Tahoe to ride horses through the woods, bike around the magnificent Basin and swim in the clear blue waters. Today, I am proud to work with representatives from different ends of the political spectrum to restore Lake Tahoe to that pristine State. For 14 years, we have come together to Keep Tahoe Blue. That is why today I am reintroducing the Lake Tahoe Restoration Act of 2011, which is cosponsored by Senators Harry Reid, John Ensign and Barbara Boxer. It would authorize $415 million over 10 years to improve water clarity, reduce risk of catastrophic wildfire, and restore the environment.
