Opinion: Crossing state line to support Nevada leaving TRPA
Publisher’s note: State Sen. Ted Gaines, R-Roseville, released the following statement regarding Nevada Senate Bill 271 that would remove Nevada from the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency Compact.
To the community,
Protecting our environment and the health of Lake Tahoe is of critical importance. However, this bi-state effort has failed in its directed purpose, often leaving Tahoe basin residents and businesses to suffer from stymied growth, crippling regulation and protracted litigation.
Ted Gaines
This gridlock has brought Tahoe’s private business sector to a grinding halt. We need to put local residents before out-of-town attorneys. I commend the Nevada Legislature for recognizing the dysfunction, stepping up to the plate and taking action.
Lake Tahoe is not only an environmental beauty, but a critical part of California’s economy. By ensuring the lake’s future health along with recognizing the area’s economic realities, we can assure our future generations that they will be able to continue to enjoy one of California’s national treasures.
Ted Gaines
I don’t disagree with Mr. Gain’s comments or Nevada’s desire however, I am concerned that such a change is being completely thought through. We cannot afford a knee jerk change, we need leaders that cross the tee’s and dot the eye’s as to what this means overall for our area. It is not as simple as splitting up the TRPA as there are a number fingers that come with this idea. What are the plans to make sure these “fingers” aren’t cut off? TTD as one example and from their, BlueGo, the area’s transportation system may have had many troubles over the years but, it hasn’t been by design and the important part of it is that this service is needed and counted on by the local citizens, our workers and visitors alike. Many want the BlueGo system to run better, offer more service, pay less for the service and that is understood and fair but, how about NO SERVICE, does that meet the above desires?
Changes to the TRPA are necessary, I am simply saying, cross the tees because there are a number of issues that can harm our area. Are our leaders looking at all of these and do they have a plan to address these.
I wish he would go after the ADA man – Johnson for these frivolous lawsuits in our community. I’m surprised some other gov’t agency hasn’t told him to back off so they could contact business owners in a more business like manner – without threat of lawsuit.
If we didn’t have TRPA, don’t the detractors realize we’d still have to answer to EPA? Do you really believe that this Natioal Treasure will be turned over to the good old boys (and girls) of the South Shore? This lake doesn’t belong to us, so lets think before acting so rash. Shall we blame TRPA and the League for the Ta-hole too?