Reporter finds humor in quest for lake clarity

Tahoe Daily Tribune

July 27, 1997
By Rob Bhatt
Tribune Staff Writer Editor's note: The following is one reporter's quest to track the events that may help restore Lake Tahoe's famed water clarity.

Friday, July 25:

11:35 a.m., Vice President's helicopter lands at Lake Tahoe Airport. After several minutes, he is whisked away in a motorcade down State Route 89 to the Tallac Historic Site. Does not see the bagels that local teachers Cindy Cowan and Pat Rothschild bought him.

11:50 a.m., Margaret Harrison and eight Korean teen-agers visiting California through Cultural Home Stay International await the Vice President's motorcade. The group came to Lake Tahoe from Santa Rosa for a 10-day camping trip. They wait an hour and watch the motorcade pass in about a minute, not getting to see the vice president. Says one teen, "That's it? I'm hungry."

1:50 p.m., During proceedings at the Tallac Historic Site, Nevada Gov. Bob Miller cites statistics that the 39 trillion gallons of water in Lake Tahoe is more than twice the amount of water in all of California's other lakes, combined. Gov. Miller says he was unable to calculate how Lake Tahoe's volume compares to other lakes in Nevada, "because I can't count that high." Everyone laughs.

4 p.m., Reporter works on story about logistics and security needed for a presidential visit. Finds out that the president and vice president's entourages are both staying at Harveys Resort Hotel/Casino.

6 p.m., Reporter goes to Harveys to see how G-men and women spend their time off duty but is unable to distinguish Secret Service officers from the rest of the weekend tourist crowd. Instead, reporter enjoys a vodka martini, wins $30 playing blackjack and calls it a day.

Saturday, July 26:

7 a.m., Reporter gets to press table at Hyatt Regency at Incline Village to obtain media credentials for the day. About 300 print and broadcast media representatives from as far away as Las Vegas and Los Angeles have requested similar credentials. This is in addition to the national media and print representatives assigned to the White House who travel with the commander-in-chief.

8 a.m., Lacrosse players from a Northern California league show up for their pre-scheduled tournament at the Village Green. They find out that the tournament is postponed due to the arrival of the president and vice president.

8:30 a.m., Lacrosse players escorted to front row of public viewing area for the arrival of the president and vice president.

8:47 a.m., Vice President Al Gore arrives at Village Green.

9 a.m., President William Jefferson Clinton's helicopter touches down at the Village Green. The heads of state are escorted to the U.C. Davis research boat to get a firsthand view of Lake Tahoe's famed water clarity. Clinton later says Gore lectured him about marine biology during the tour.

10 a.m., Lacrosse players authorized to begin their tournament, but they will have to stop at 2 p.m. for presidential departure.

10:56 a.m., Hyatt waitress tells a group of reporters about the lunch platter for the press pool.

10:57 a.m., Group of reporters converge upon the platter for lunch.

11:53 a.m., President and vice president enter conference room to standing ovation. Gore's introductory remarks include the observation that "Lake Tahoe may sit on the border of two states, but it stands smack-dab in the middle of paradise," before turning the microphone over to the leader of the free world. Clinton announces authorization for U.S. Forest Service to turn over about 350-acres of land to the Washoe Tribe, including access to the lake, and pledging support and funds for environmental improvement projects. Discussion between area leaders and heads of state continues for about two hours.

1:50 p.m., President, in his closing statement, praises area leaders. "You have showed us not only how to deal with environmental issues, but how to come together," he says. He only wishes similar consensus could be reached in places like Bosnia, Ireland, Gaza and Washington D.C.

2:10 p.m., Fleetwood Mac's "Don't Stop" blaring on the public address system at the Village Green reminds reporter of touching finale to 1992 Democratic National Convention. Reporter decides that the song has lost its sentimental value. Instead, leaves to file an early story and misses departure.

4 p.m. Lacrosse tournament resumes.