Feinstein Pushing For Wildfire Prevention

Senator Dianne Feinstein is pressing fire officials to come up with a wildfire protection plan for Lake Tahoe by August.

At a fire prevention forum yesterday in South Lake Tahoe, Feinstein said the threat of a major blaze threatens to undo recent environmental gains made at the scenic Sierra Nevada lake.

Feinstein was a prime sponsor of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act signed into law by President Bush last year. The legislation speeds fuels reduction projects and reduces some requirements for environmental reviews.

The forum drew about 175 fire officials, foresters and community leaders. Officials hope Lake Tahoe can be among the first places in the nation in line to get a portion of the $760 million authorized by the federal act for thinning projects.