Summit Highlights Protection Of Lake Tahoe

Federal, state and local leaders are gathering with environmentalists and tribal representatives near the shores of Lake Tahoe today to tout ongoing efforts and new initiatives to protect the lake´s delicate and vulnerable ecosystem.

Thinning forests around the scenic mountain lake to reduce fire threats are among the topics to be discussed during the eight annual Lake Tahoe forum.

It´s being held this year at the Ponderosa Ranch in Incline Village.

Officials for the U-S Environmental Protection Agency intend to announce a million-dollar federal grant for several projects designed to control pollution that clouds Lake Tahoe´s famed clarity.

The annual forum is the result of a 1997 summit hosted by then-President Clinton to raise awareness of the Tahoe basin´s environmental challenges and forge a cooperative effort to protect the crown jewel of the Sierra.