S. Lake Tahoe says yes to using plastic bags
By Kathryn Reed
South Lake Tahoe has done a 180 on being an environmental leader, according to some people.
It all has to do with plastic bags.
The council on a 3-2 vote Jan. 19 said only grocery stores and food outlets must adhere to the plastic bag ban. Mayor Wendy David and Councilmember Austin Sass were in the minority.
There had been a misunderstanding by Councilmember Hal Cole at the original vote in 2014. He thought the council was going to discuss how things were going before the ban expanded instead of automatically encompassing other establishments a year later – which was in October 2015. That is why last fall he asked to revoke the ordinance beyond grocery stores and restaurants.
Cole is also concerned about the economic repercussions on businesses. He also pointed out that businesses could always voluntarily not use plastic bags.
But at no time when the revocation has been discussed has there been mention to assess how the bag ban is working. No business person has either come forward at a meeting or written a letter asking to retain the use of plastic bags.
Instead, the vote was based on personal preference and not facts based on zero evidence being presented at the meetings as to the ban being negative for businesses.
Sass asked if any businesses have complained about the ban. City Clerk Suzie Alessi said not to her knowledge.
Councilwoman JoAnn Conner said people are afraid to speak up for fear of retribution.
Sentiments from the public included:
· Jerry Goodman: The council is not environmentally sensitive.
· Joe Stanton: The real compromise would be to allow businesses to use their existing plastic bag supply before implementing the ban. People come to Tahoe because they see it as an environmental leader, but rescinding the bag ban delivers the opposite message.
· Bruce Grego: There is no environmental impact by having a plastic bag ban. Paper bags aren’t as useful.
· Pete Fink: It’s about bringing your own bag; plastic bags weren’t around when he was a kid; Europe is doing just fine without plastic and the U.S. could be in the same boat.
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In other news:
· A taxi driver questioned why the city is allowing Uber to operate here. City Attorney Tom Watson said it’s a state issue and the city has no control.
· Hilary Roverud is interim director Development Services because Shawna Brekke-Reid left earlier this month.
· The city eliminated the following subcommittees: airport master plan, Lake Tahoe Unified-Lake Tahoe Community College memorandum of understanding (for the fields), parks and rec master plan, policy for giving to nonprofits, single room occupancy and warm room.
· Subcommittees added include development services code (Sass-Cole) and Champions Plaza (David-Tom Davis).
· Representation to the two chambers of commerce, lodging association and South Tahoe Public Utility District remain intact after being proposed for elimination.
Uber is a much better option than cabs. Uber cars are cleaner, safer and the ride is less expensive. Sorry sticky dirty cabs that take you the long way home, you now have competition and must clean up your act.
I have been reading the published comments by the proponents of the plastic bag ban in various publications. In one recent article the writer claimed that the plastic bag ban created a “desirable place for young professionals”, another article questioned whether the Council had any support for modifying the plastic ban, and expressed the view that the “magnitude” of Council action has affected our ability to “move forward”. At yesterday’s Council meeting, these views were again expressed.
The plastic bag ban had been in effect for almost two years. Are there any measurable positive effects upon our environment? Have we prevented an extinction of a protected species? Have we added to the Whale population? Have we reduced the world temperature by a degree? The proponents have admitted that the Council’s action banning plastic bags is symbolic.
At yesterday’s hearing, the proponents claim that the City action in modifying the ban is anti-environment. Yet such comments are contrary to reality. Annually, the City of South Lake Tahoe has expended significant public funds protecting our environment. When I was on the Council, we placed pressure on the unelected body of the TRPA to pass a long overdue new general plan to promote “smart” development in our community with the objective of reducing environmental impacts.
For too long, we have witnessed the waste of public funds on “half baked” environmental theories. Does anyone believe that individual BMP’s are effective in controlling erosion; whether the expense of river realignment is worth the expenditure; and, can we justify expenditures of millions of dollars to support the TTD’s vision for a loop road?
At the same time, our community has real needs. In addressing hunger in our community, Bread & Broth recently expressed thanks for the public support of their “second serving” program, our roads are in desperate need of repair, and our Council needs to make a better effort in working together in addressing the demands upon local government.
Every community has limited resources that must address a multitude of needs and objectives. If the proponents worry about the need for symbolism, then they can where green shirts on Earth Day, but they seek to burden our community with ineffective programs, wasting valuable public and private resources, which in effect is the ultimate in environmental degradation.
Bruce Grego
Bruce +1.
Time to stop the symbolism and start working on the streets and a unified response to the Liberty Energy rate increase.
Things are starting to get better. Who would have ever thought that the head of STPUD would admit we have no water shortage and TTD would get rid of the worthless LNG buses?
Environmentalist are helping to clean the beaches instead of filing lawsuits. There is hope afterall.
Money talks and B S walks…. plastic bags ok and the loop road too?? …. Tahoe stinks !!
Not a single leader has furnished any evidence regarding the small business community and how many people were against the plastic bag ban. When pressed, JoAnn, diverted the question by claiming she couldn’t furnish the data because she needed to protect the names and people who gave her the feedback.
When asked for anonymous data she ignored the request. I don’t believe council is doing their homework. Terrifying because that means they make decisions despite public opinion. I’m sure the League to Save Lake Tahoe is going to LOVE cleaning plastic bags out of the lake. I’m disappointed as are a majority of people I talk to. I bring my reusable bags everywhere.
Thank you Kae for giving us this info just as it happened – in all its nonsense at the SLT Council meeting.
Thanks most for the “In other news” part of the article. IMO, the facts speak for themselves concerning where the City has it’s wagon hitched with its committees. Look what they got rid of…. and more importantly…. what they kept….
SLT can’t function to maintain the streets but you better believe they will keep a council member acting as an additional STPUD board member. If its going to take multitudes of millions of dollars to have STPUD’s lines moved for the loop road…. well, you better have them in your pocket. And don’t forget the chambers.
“Instead, the vote was based on personal preference and not facts based on zero evidence being presented at the meetings as to the ban being negative for businesses”
It’s also worth noting that no facts and zero evidence were presented at the meetings as to the ban being positive for the environment.
I’ve generally been a supporter of the ban, but, agree with Mr. Grego that it is time to focus our energy on something that will actually make a difference.
Great. Well there goes the neighborhood. Bruce is running for city council again. Are we going to start fracking at the lake too?
This is a prime example that the Council is out of touch with their community and the world. We are choking on all the plastic that surrounds us. There is a plastic patina covering the Earth. It must stop or as Stephen Hawkins said today “Humans will not last another 100 years”. Council members who support the use of plastic bags should be ashamed of themselves.
Regarding plastic bags… it’s not just that they pollute our community when not disposed of properly, but that even when they are thrown away properly and then shipped to the landfill and buried, they don’t decompose because bacteria don’t view plastic as a food source.
And it will take a lot longer than 2 years of one small community not using plastic bags for any real results to the environment to show. The main goal is to have EVERYONE in the country not using plastic bags. Then real results will start to be visible much quicker.
Local businesses could start using biodegradable plastic bags. This would solve the issue that I’ve heard some businesses have mentioned about not having enough storage space for paper bags or reusable bags. I’m sure they will cost more, but since most businesses were already charging the customers for paper bags, they could just continue that with the biodegradable plastic ones.
These are just my personal opinions and comments. There is a good article on the subject at: http://science.howstuffworks.com/
If you don’t like plastic bags don’t use them. Leave me alone!
A member of our City Council is “concerned about the economic repercussions on businesses”, as if the difference in cost of a paper vs a plastic bag will break-the bank, instead of embracing successful programs that might actually make that difference inconsequential (moot). . .
In earlier times, no one ever asked how much the bag cost to carry the groceries out-of-the-store, nor did anyone care…
All of a sudden, a needed change appears, and we are then put in a position of deciding which one we need to “buy”…
“Actually making a difference” as ‘Smiling Mike’ asks, might also mean knowing enough about a subject not to have to second-guess (or “misunderstand”) its’ outcome, in effect taking twice (thrice?) the amount of time to deal with what elsewhere has been more of a ‘no-brainer’. . .not here !!…
Even Mr. Davis was reluctant at one point, preferring that we FOLLOW what the state of CA did, and now they’ve done it, & we STILL insist on beating a dead horse w/o knowing why…
How can we ever lead under such circumstances (?). . .
Plastic bags are recyclable. What’s the problem? Bigger issue is the whole trash in a dirt-hole dump. This is the 21st century and yet we’ve not advanced beyond trash dumps. I have read about cities that have figured out how to use trash to generate energy and in doing so, not pollute the environment. But, big utility cabals would doubtlessly lobby against that.
AROD
Stephen Hawking…NOT Hawkins
How dare the treehuggers in Tahoe propose stealing one dime from local businesses that profit from our clean Lake and pristine environment?-the nerve!-for all those that support this pollution there is one way to reduce plastic waste- use the bags as headgear in both winter and summer!-if you can tie your shoes you can easily put the bags over your head and tie securely-it’s a fashion trend for Real ‘Murkins in the know!
http://www.nrdc.org/oceans/plastics-ocean/default.asp
Plastic bags are recyclable. What’s the problem? Bigger issue is the whole trash in a dirt hole dump. This is the 21st century and yet we’ve not advanced beyond trash dumps. I have read about cities that have figured out how to use trash to generate energy and in doing so, not pollute the environment. But, big utility cabals would doubtlessly lobby against that.
Recycling plastic is not as common, profitable, or as simple as many people think. Especially now with the price of oil so low, many recycling facilities cannot make a profit when it is so much cheaper to produce the plastic new. Its best to avoid using it where ever we can, starting with plastic bags.
As mentioned in the article, NO data suggesting this was a burden on small businesses was presented. The council members are not listening to their citizens. Or, if they are, they are using anecdotal evidence at best. Absurd. The council members that overturned this are just showing us how badly they need to be replaced at the election booth this year. Lead, or leave.
If the plastic bags are that durable maybe we can use them to fill the potholes in the two year old payment on hwy 50.
Notspam, there was also no data suggesting that large plastic bags are anything but a minor component of the plastic pollution problem. And if plastic is the problem, why charge $.05 for a paper bag? Why not let the grocery decide?
I was buying all new bedding the other day, it was snowing. I dont have a way to carry that many sheets and pillows. Kmart packed everything in a large paper bag that of course broke as soon as I got outside.
I am currently buying everything for a house now. I already have an economic incentive to drive to Carson: price. This is just one more thing making me stop to buy goods in Nevada.
Disposable diapers are a much worse scourge than plastic bags. And yeah, people (pigs) leave them on beaches, at parks, even in grocery carts. Seen it too many times.
How come nobody suggests banning them?
I GET A PLASTIC BAG EVERY MORNING IT HAS MY MORNING PAPER IN IT ???
Some people say that newspaper plastic bags can be re-used for disposing of adult diapers-WHAT A BARGAIN!??!
Yeah Bruce! Party at Tahoe! Year round playground! Leave all your trash and plastic bags behind! Some other local suckers will pick up the garbage!
Great marketing plan Bruce, come and trash Tahoe! We don’t care! The environment??? what’s that dude?
How backwards can it get.
I mean, how in the world did both my Grandmothers ever survive without using plastic bags at the markets.
And tell Tom Davis from now on when I see these bags around the woods, beaches and trails, I am NOT picking them up.
This is Lake Tahoe. We should be doing everything & anything we can to save & preserve our precious Lake & environment. If San Francisco can successfully van plastic bags why can’t we. Tourists come here & don’t care, trash everywhere. Hal Cole has no clue. Lake Tahoe should lead in environmental preservation. Hal & council members should stop & pick up plastic bags from our bushes, trees & streams like a lot of us locals do. Maybe then they would get it.
The plastic bag ban has cleaned up our streets. I rarely see a plastic bag flying from a bush or tree anymore.
What I do see are the large black plastic bags the vacation rentals use and have fallen out of the maintenance trucks and lie on Pioneer Trail and on the neighborhood streets. Management companies need to do a better job of securing the trash in their trucks while driving around town.
Tourists come here because ” Tahoe is an environmental leader.” ? And these same tourists leave an astounding amount of garbage behind on our beaches and streets, go figure. Oh yeah, they figure someone will pick up after them. Get rid of them, we don’t need anymore tourists !