Representative Kiley Praises Passage of the Lake Tahoe Restoration Reauthorization Act, Urges Swift Signing into Law

WASHINGTON – Representative Kevin Kiley (R-CA) released the following statement after the passage of his bill, the Lake Tahoe Restoration Reauthorization Act, in the House. The bill previously passed the Senate and will now head to the President’s desk.

“This is great news for Tahoe and our country. I am grateful for the bipartisan support for this vital legislation to protect one of America’s greatest national treasures. With House passage of my bill, this now goes to the President who has indicated he will sign It. The Lake Tahoe Restoration Reauthorization Act reauthorizes $415 million in funding to reduce the threat of wildfire, as well as to combat invasive species, improve the water clarity of Lake Tahoe, and restore the environment and ecosystem in the Basin. I’d like to thank our Senate partners, especially Senator Cortez Masto, and all those in the Tahoe community who worked side by side to make this day possible. Together, we will keep Tahoe clean, blue, and accessible for future generations,” said Rep. Kiley.

“I was thrilled to pass the reauthorization of the Lake Tahoe Restoration Act through the Senate this summer, and today’s vote means this critical legislation is officially on its way to becoming law,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “I’m proud of our bipartisan work to deliver funding for vital programs that keep the lake clean, support local jobs, and support our tourism economy. It is an honor to help lead Team Tahoe and fight for the resources the basin needs to thrive.”

“Lake Tahoe is one of America’s crown jewels, and we must ensure it’s cared for properly so future generations can enjoy and explore this natural wonder. Congressman Kiley’s work on the Lake Tahoe Restoration Reauthorization Act will be instrumental to ensuring critical projects to support forest health, water quality, watershed restoration and more will continue, and I’m pleased to see his efforts on this bicameral and bipartisan priority pass the House today,” said Chairman Westerman.

“The Lake Tahoe Region is grateful to Congress for their leadership in passing this critical piece of legislation to continue the collaborative work to protect and restore Lake Tahoe,” Tahoe Regional Planning Agency Executive Director Julie Regan said. “Extending the federal investment in the EIP will leverage millions of dollars in state and local funding to implement the top priority projects for the lake and our communities.”

Funding was set to expire on September 30, 2024. Click here to view Rep. Kiley’s remarks on the floor.

BACKGROUND: The Lake Tahoe Restoration Reauthorization Act provides funding for projects that support forest health, water for fire infrastructure, watershed restoration, water quality, aquatic invasives species control, Lahontan cutthroat trout recovery, and accountability. Since the Act’s passage in 2016, Lake Tahoe Environmental Improvement Program (EIP) partners have implemented hundreds of projects, leveraged the federal investment 5-to-1 with state, local, and private funding, and supported 1,700 jobs per year.

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