Rosen Hosts 30th Annual Tahoe Summit

Watch Senator Rosen's Full Remarks HERE.

LAKE TAHOE, NV - Today, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) proudly hosted the 30th annual Lake Tahoe Summit, where she was joined by Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Alex Padilla (D-CA), and Adam Schiff (D-CA); U.S. Representatives Mark Amodei (R-NV-02) and Kevin Kiley (I-CA-06); Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo; and Chairman Serrell Smokey of the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California. The Tahoe Summit, started in 1997 by former Senators Harry Reid and Dianne Feinstein, has played a crucial role in bringing leaders from both states and both parties together to work to conserve Lake Tahoe. In the last three decades since that initial gathering, efforts to protect Lake Tahoe have led to thousands of acres of hazardous fuel reduction, hundreds of miles of road improvements to keep sediment and pollutants out of the lake, and supported the region economically - with an average of 1,700 jobs supported in the Environmental Improvement Program alone. The keynote speaker for this year's summit was world-renowned rock climber and Tahoe resident, Tommy Caldwell.

"For 30 years, the Tahoe Summit has been a testament to what we can accomplish when leaders across all levels of government come together with conservation experts around one shared purpose," said Senator Rosen. "It is a true honor to continue the legacy of Senators Reid and Feinstein as I host this year's summit. Our message today is clear: as drastic climate changes have brought new challenges to conservation efforts, we will continue working across parties and both states to make sure we don't lose this jewel of the Sierra Nevada."

"When Senators Dianne Feinstein and Harry Reid founded the Lake Tahoe Summit in 1997, I don't think they could have imagined the progress we would make in this region - or the challenges we would face," said Senator Cortez Masto. "Between the rising costs of housing, the increasing danger of wildfires, improving our transportation infrastructure, and prioritizing sustainable tourism, we have our work cut out for us. But together, we will keep working to protect Lake Tahoe. No matter what new obstacles emerge, our collaboration and combined efforts will keep allowing us to take Lake Tahoe to new heights."

"Lake Tahoe is one of our nation's greatest treasures, yet the threats of climate change and pollution, exacerbated by the Administration's attacks on environmental protections, continue to put the Tahoe Basin at risk," said Senator Padilla. "That's why I'm proud to join federal, state, local, and Tribal partners across California and Nevada for the 30th Annual Lake Tahoe Summit. Together, we must keep up the fight to protect the Tahoe Basin and surrounding communities, and help secure the resources needed to keep Tahoe blue."

"As we celebrate 30 years of the Tahoe Summit, we must continue to do all we can to make sure this lake remains crystal clear, that the forests are preserved, that we take all the steps necessary to protect against fire and against invasive species, and that we obtain consistent and reliable funding for projects across the lake," said Senator Schiff. "I look forward to continuing our mission to protect Lake Tahoe for generations to come."

"Lake Tahoe is one of Nevada's greatest treasures, and protecting it is a responsibility we all share," said Rep. Mark Amodei. "The Tahoe Summit is an important opportunity to recognize the progress we've made while continuing the work to protect the lake and preserve this place for future generations. I'm proud to join my colleagues and partners from across the region in that effort."

"Every year, we get together in Tahoe to celebrate what we've accomplished the previous year and talk about what else can be done to preserve the Tahoe Basin. It's a great reminder on what we're all fighting for in Washington, D.C." said Rep. Kiley. "It's been an honor to be California's champion for Tahoe in the House of Representatives, and I look forward to working together with all the other advocates that were in attendance at the summit to get things done for Tahoe in the next year. Thank you to Senator Rosen and the Lake Tahoe Regional Planning Agency for hosting such an amazing event this year."

"Lake Tahoe is one of Nevada's greatest treasures, and protecting it requires steady work and a long-term commitment. The progress made over the past 30 years is worth recognizing, but our responsibility doesn't end there," said Governor Lombardo. "I'm proud to join our partners in continuing the work to protect the lake, strengthen the surrounding communities, and preserve the Tahoe Basin for the generations that follow."

Senator Rosen has been a champion for Lake Tahoe, ensuring that the region has the resources it needs to support its conservation efforts. Last Congress, Senators Rosen, Cortez Masto, and Padilla's Lake Tahoe Restoration Act, which secures critical funding for programs that support the Basin through 2034, was signed into law. Earlier this year, Senators Rosen, Cortez Masto, Schiff, and Padilla introduced the Santini-Burton Modernization Act, which would allow the Forest Service to once again use funds to manage public lands in the Tahoe Basin to target water clarity, wildfire risk, and recreation.

###