Landscape larger than one you see

Tahoe Daily Tribune

July 30, 1997
By Kathleen Farrell

Editor's note: The following speech was delivered by Kathleen Farrell, executive director of the Tahoe-Douglas Chamber of Commerce, at the Vice Presidential Forum last Friday.

Vice President Gore, on behalf of the business community of Lake Tahoe, it is my distinct honor to welcome you and your family to our home.

Vice-President Gore, honored guests and esteemed colleagues - the business community of Lake Tahoe is dedicated to the continual improvement of its tourism-based economy. We will achieve this goal through direct involvement in all activities that impact the quality of the visitors' experience - including politics, product and promotion. The business community is committed to a insuring a vibrant future for all businesses in the regional marketplace. As Tahoe citizens, it is our responsibility to protect our environmental home and to enhance the quality of life for each and every one of our neighbors as well as our valued visitors.

The Tahoe Basin's commerce is tourism... period. And, if that economic base weakens or falters, there will be no mitigation, no restoration, no preservation, no protection. Therefore, we, the beneficiaries, become the ultimate guardians of the environment. As I once heard in Hawaii, "Tourism can be the keeper of the culture."

Lake Tahoe's diversity elevates it to an enviable position in the market place - whether the key components of competition are recreation, scenic beauty, gaming, or cultural heritage. We are able to appeal to a broad base of visitors. Those who love Tahoe are as diverse as her attributes, and they represent all ages, all backgrounds, and span the economic spectrum.

Nevada is the fastest growing state in the nation and California is projected to have 40 million residents by the year 2000 -10 million people within a four-hour drive of Lake Tahoe and 25 million within a day's drive. The strain on the aging infrastructures of our great nation is widespread - and Lake Tahoe is no exception.

But here this natural aging phenomenon is multiplied by the additional pressures that our guests bring to bear, and the disparity between the number of users and the size of the revenue base results in outdated, shabby and inadequate facilities. We are a rural community with urban-sized problems. Yet, we know there is no alternative to rebuilding, retrofitting and, refurbishing-- all which require REFINANCING!

The TRPA has done an excellent job of defining and illuminating the desired environmental thresholds for the preservation and restoration of Lake Tahoe. Now, the business community seeks equal recognition, understanding and vigorous pursuit of our economic thresholds.

I am fascinated by our need to have an outsider point out the obvious*- that what we've been doing for years to unify fierce competitors and previously antagonistic factions is considered exemplary elsewhere--a veritable prototype of the strength of coalitions... a living testament to the adage that there is no limit to what can be accomplished if no one cares who gets the credit. We are proud of the "unholy alliances" (and, though we may sound alike, thank God, we don't all look alike... and Gore asked, "Where are you going with this?) that bind us together in this mutual endeavor that is the protection of Lake Tahoe. And, I submit to you that the present Business Community is mindful of the critical role a healthy environment plays in fostering its own good health. We will not turn our backs on the challenges nor will we sidestep our responsibilities as the faithful and diligent stewards of this unique treasure upon which we depend. It is the glory of Lake Tahoe, herself, which distinguishes her from any other destination on the planet earth. And the business community is ready and willing to step up.

I believe it all comes down to accepting both the consequences of and responsibilities for our actions and realizing that there is no perfect solution. Life seems to be a matter of timing and balance-- if we're very good at both, we may just keep our heads above water--and the water will be crystal clear. It has been said that Lake Tahoe is caught in a time warp - and the balancing act required between our economic and environmental health rivals nature's most delicate ecosystem. But we are bold in the face of that challenge - fortified by the strength that comes from unity and collaboration.

When I think about the process of reversing any environmental degradation, I think of an observation made about dieting... you didn't develop your current status by eating one too many Twinkies yesterday... neither will you be able to make significant, lasting changes overnight. Similarly, the process of protecting our environment takes commitment and discipline. It takes diligence and desire. It takes a consistent, unified approach. It takes time and IT TAKES MONEY!

At this historic occasion, the questions we must ask are: "What else can we do to nurture a symbiotic relationship between the economy and the environment? And, in our efforts to make sound environmental and economic judgments, how do we elevate to a higher plane consideration of the social impacts of our actions? and, finally, What can we do to insure a healthy, ongoing communication between Lake Tahoe and you, Vice-President Gore, President Clinton and Congress in Washington D.C. nearly 3,000 miles to the east?

Sometimes it is difficult to contemplate the answers because there is no clear cut beginning, middle or end... no finish line at which we raise our arms in exhausted but triumphant victory. But that is the challenge... a never-ending journey in preparation for which we must steadfastly link arms and march forward together toward a "landscape larger than the one we see."

Thank you, Vice-President Gore, Senators Reid, Bryan and Feinstein... Congressman Miller, Secretaries Babbit and Glickman for your well-studied review of our issues and sincere commitment to resolution. (I had a line inviting the Gores to return to Lake Tahoe for their 50th wedding anniversary - on us! but did not say it because the applause was so deafening.)