California, Nevada Go Forward on Tahoe Basin Plan

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger joined U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein and Nevada Gov. Jim Gibbons on Tuesday in South Lake Tahoe to receive the California-Nevada Tahoe Basin Fire Commission's final report.

To begin implementing many of the commission's recommendations, both Governors issued state-specific proclamations outlining actions each state will take. As part of California's Proclamation, the Governor will also declare a State of Emergency in Placer and El Dorado counties, so the state can immediately take action to make the Tahoe Basin safer and better prepared for future wildfires.

The California-Nevada Tahoe Basin Fire Commission was established by both Governors following the June 2007 Angora Fire to review all regional, state and federal fire rules and regulations and to study user-friendly wildfire prevention approaches with the goal of reducing the region's fire vulnerability.

The advisory panel was comprised of 17 voting members representing each state's stake in the management of lands and fire fuels within the Tahoe Basin, including representatives from state agencies, fire officials, public members from the Lake Tahoe community and a representative of the U.S. Forest Service.

With the Commission's work and today's action, the Tahoe Basin will reportedly be better prepared and better protected for the next wildfire. In addition to declaring a State Of Emergency in Placer and El Dorado counties, Gov. Schwarzenegger's Proclamation:

• Directs the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) to conduct vigorous defensible space inspections, provide public education about defensible space and impose fines or liens if appropriate.
• Directs CAL FIRE to staff additional fire engines and other firefighting resources in the area as conditions dictate.
• Directs state agencies involved with fire fuels management activities in the Lake Tahoe Basin to develop plans for biomass utilization.
• Urges the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, the California Air Resources Board and the Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board to adopt the Commission's recommendations.