Projects safeguarded by Reid

WASHINGTON - Projects around Lake Tahoe are set to receive federal funding.

Funding for more than $10 million in projects for the Silver State was safeguarded by Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., during a House-Senate Conference.

"Nevada's quality of life is tied to the quality of our air, our water, and our public lands," Reid said.

Lake Tahoe projects, totaling more than $5.5 million, were protected by Reid.

"Nevadans and visitors from around the world flock to Lake Tahoe for its breathtaking beauty, but without changes the lake is in danger of being ruined," he said.

Lake project included:

- $750,000 - Lake Tahoe watershed restoration: work in Ward and Blackwood Creek Canyons and for other smaller projects in the Tahoe Basin to protect water clarity.

- $1 million - Lake Tahoe erosion control: funds for construction of seven erosion control projects along roadways in Douglas County and El Dorado County, Calif.

- $750,000 - road closure and improvement: funding to close old roads in the Lake Tahoe Basin and to improve roads which in their current state contribute to sediment problems at the lake.

- $3 million - funding to purchase sensitive lands in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

"The projects in this bill will help protect and maintain resources vital to Nevada's future, including preserving Lake Tahoe's clarity," Reid said.

Since convening the Lake Tahoe Presidential Summit in 1997, Sen. Reid has continued his commitment to protect and preserve the lake's clarity.

In addition to the Tahoe funds, Reid also secured $150,000 for a study of mercury levels in migratory birds at Walker Lake in Mineral County.

A total of nearly $10 million was safeguarded by Reid, who sits on the Interior Appropriations Subcommittee. Reid is a key member of the conference committee which ironed out differences in two versions of the spending bill.