BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    







           ----------------------------------------------------------- 
          |SENATE COMMITTEE ON RULES        |2009-2010 Regular        |
          |                                 |Session                  |
           ----------------------------------------------------------- 
          SENATOR DARRELL STEINBERG , CHAIR
                                                     Fiscal:  No
          Hearing: 4/22/09
                                                     Urgency: No

          BILL NO:   SCR 13
          AUTHOR:    Steinberg 
          AMENDED:   As introduced

           SUBJECT  :  Creation of the Joint Committee for the Protection of  
          Lake Tahoe

           SOURCE  :  Author

           DIGEST  :  This resolution creates the Joint Committee for the  
          Protection of Lake Tahoe until November 30, 2010.

           ANALYSIS  :  

          Composition of Committee

          SCR 13 would create the Joint Committee for the Protection of  
          Lake Tahoe (JCPLT) composed of 8 members; 4 Senators appointed  
          by the Senate Rules Committee, and 4 Assembly Members appointed  
          by the Speaker of the Assembly.  The Senate Rules Committee and  
          the Speaker of the Assembly would determine the Chair and Vice  
          Chair.  

          JCPLT would meet at least once prior to the adoption of the  
          annual Budget Act of the 2009-10 fiscal year, once in the Lake  
          Tahoe region on or before August 31, 2009, and once with its  
          respective committee representing the State of Nevada on or  
          before December 31, 2009.

          The committee will terminate on November 30, 2010.

          Background



                                                             Continued




                                                                      SCR 13  
                                                                     Page 2



          Lake Tahoe is one of the world's largest, clearest, and most  
          scenic Alpine lakes in California.  Its greater basin has  
          riparian habitat, wetlands, protected federal and state forests,  
          and multiple waterways.  Lake Tahoe attracts outdoor  
          enthusiasts, skiers, and campers.  It is also a casino  
          attraction.  Considering its volume of visitors, Lake Tahoe  
          remains susceptible to deterioration, especially with water and  
          air quality.  



          Under the Clean Water Act, there are several levels of  
          protection available for surface waters. Outstanding National  
          Resource Water (ONRW) is the highest level of protection and  
          means that no activity is permissible if it will result in lower  
          water quality than already exists in the affected water.  Lake  
          Tahoe has been designated as an ONRW in the state of California.  
           



          Need for JCPLT


          According to the author, the JCPLT would allow the State  
          Legislature, along with the State of Nevada, the United States  
          of America, and other public and private entities to help  
          implement the Environmental Improvement Program (EIP).  The EIP  
          is a cooperative effort to preserve, restore, and enhance the  
          natural and human environment of the Lake Tahoe Region. It  
          allocates and guides capital investments in conservation and  
          restoration measures to repair environmental damage from the  
          past.  

          Adopted over ten years ago, the EIP will be reviewed to  
          determine and evaluate possible improvements.  The JCPLT would  
          participate in the review process.

          Specifically, the JCPLT would allow a cross budget review of  
          Tahoe's needs related to the EIP and provide a vehicle for the  
          State Legislature to be represented in Federal and bi-state  
          meetings.


                                                                      





                                                                      SCR 13  
                                                                     Page 3




          fiscal impact


          The JCPLT would not require the creation of any new staff  
          positions as the committee will operate using existing staff.   
          Budgets are established on a fiscal year basis and may be  
          granted for the committee.  Funding may be necessary for  
          traveling expenses.

           SUPPORT  :  

          AlpenAid
          AlpenGroup
          Lake Tahoe Conservation Trust
          Tahoe Divers Conservancy
          The League to Save Lake Tahoe
          The Nature Conservancy
          Many individuals

          SENATE RULES COMMITTEE:  Sandy Kenyon/651-4153

          ***END***