July 27, 1997
By Sally J. Taylor
Tribune Staff Writer
The Tahoe business community, fearful of new restrictions to choke an already struggling economy, breathed a collective sigh of relief following the Lake Tahoe Presidential Forum.
At every turn of phrase, President Bill Clinton and Vice President Al Gore linked the health of the Tahoe economy to the health of the environment.
"The environment is the economy and the economy is the environment," Gore said repeatedly during the two-day event.
The audiences, primarily Tahoe residents, responded with applause. "You (at Tahoe) realize your economic future and your environmental future are interwoven," Gore continued.
Instead of business-bashing, the nation's top two officials praised the cooperative effort between environmental groups and business interests to develop solutions to environmental problems without undermining the Tahoe economy. "I'm convinced we can succeed in this endeavor and the model of Lake Tahoe is a model we can use throughout the country," Clinton said during the mid-day forum on Saturday.
Although the president's 25-point action plan focused on environmental issues, woven throughout are items that benefit business both directly and indirectly. Chief among the economic benefits is an executive order to "ensure cooperation of all federal, state and local agencies working here," Clinton said.
Getting regulatory agencies talking is expected to streamline the permitting process.
Provisions for water quality, forest health and transportation are expected to benefit the business community by improving the visitors' experience as well the lives of the people who live here.
"I truly thought (the forum) exceeded my expectations," said Tahoe-Douglas Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Kathleen Farrell, who presented the Recreation and Tourism issue during the Vice President's forum on Friday. "There was consternation when Dianne Feinstein said she was going to write a bill. There are fears of adding another layer of bureaucracy. I thought that (the bill proposal) spoke to how sincere they were at resolving our issues."
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Last updated: July 30, 1997