Decades ago, AT&T’s Pacific Bell Telephone Company discarded 8 miles of approximately 150,000 pounds of leaded cables at the bottom of Lake Tahoe.
Under the blue, a local non-profit organization dedicated to removing foreign objects and investigating pollution problems has attracted people's attention to cables in 2020 and has been working hard with PacBell's parent company to remove cables since then.
Below the blue supports the settlement between the California Sports Fishing Conservation Alliance (CSPA) and Pacific Bell that was recently approved in federal court. As part of the agreement, AT&T has agreed to remove leaded telecommunications cables by 2022 and bear all costs for licensing and proper disposal.
For decades, cables have been immersing toxic lead in the lake. PacBell switched to fiber-optic telephone cables more than 30 years ago and discarded the old cables at the bottom of the lake. These cables contain approximately 3 pounds of lead per foot and extend along the west shore of Lake Tahoe from Baldwin Beach to Rubicon Bay, including 8 miles across the mouth of Emerald Bay. While removing trash from the bottom of the lake, the founders of Below the Blue, Seth Jones, and Monique Rydel Fortner discovered these cables and attracted the attention of CSPA.
The size and impact of the cable cannot be underestimated. The discovery of cables inspired the foundation of "under the blue". As confirmed in the settlement agreement, PacBell stopped using these cables more than thirty years ago. Over the years, Jones and Fortner have been conducting independent investigations and tracking the underwater and ground paths of the cables.
The signs can be traced back to the initial use of cables in the 1930s. Tests confirmed the presence of lead, which is conservatively estimated to exceed 60 tons. When laying cables, people are still unclear about the long-term effects of these metals in the water.
"Now that the risks of this pollution are known, it is incredible to continue to expose the residents of Lake Tahoe and millions of tourists to potential harm," Jones said.
In the past ten years, Jones and Fortner have conducted thousands of dives in Lake Tahoe to remove foreign objects and raise awareness of pollution. Commercial, industrial and personal waste at the bottom of Lake Tahoe and the entire lake were not disturbed. Under the blue is committed to slowing down the pace of pollution and becoming part of the evolving movement around the Lake Tahoe Basin to remove debris from the lake and surrounding tributaries.
"This situation is a special case of what can happen when groups come together to have a positive impact. Reconciliation is a step in the right direction, but will not mitigate the risk to the environment until the cable is removed," Fortner said. "It is hoped that continued cooperation between all relevant personnel will make removal and disposal a reality."
Under the blue, cooperate with local agencies, community organizations, the scientific community, and environmental lawyers to work together to solve this environmental and protection issue. Local communities, especially the homeowners in Rubicon Bay, have joined the fight for change. Although the original location of the cable was decades ago, AT&T’s commitment to making a tangible impact was welcomed. Their leadership skills should be praised, and their respect for the local Lake Tahoe community should be recognized.
The settlement agreement requires PacBell to begin obtaining permits from state and local agencies to remove cables. After that, PacBell will open tender for the removal process. If the license imposes conditions that would push the bid to more than $1.5 million, CSPA and AT&T will need to reassess and avoid further litigation.
"Lake Tahoe is one of California's iconic waterways," said Bill Jennings, executive director of CSPA. "We are proud to promote the removal of toxic waste from the lake." In addition to CSPA, there are countless other organizations that have contributed to the situation. Positive effects, including the Save Lake Tahoe Alliance. The alliance is known for its iconic slogan Keep Tahoe Blue and has a successful track record in solving Tahoe's severe environmental challenges. Jesse Patterson, Chief Strategy Officer of the Alliance, said: “We will continue to work with Azure Below as a regulatory agency to ensure that AT&T, Tahoe’s licensing agencies and other agencies work together to remove the cable from the lake as soon as possible. "The important thing is to remove the lead from the water to avoid any further damage to our mountain gems."
Click here to get the latest news sent to your inbox every day
Carson City-Today, the Judiciary Committee of Parliament passed a bill that partially bans smoking on college campuses. Congressman Paul Aizley of D-Las Vegas amended Parliamentary Bill No. 128, requiring colleges and universities to establish smoking areas on campuses, so that people cannot smoke outside the area. According to the amendment, smoking areas must maintain a reasonable distance from sidewalks and doorways.
Director Carol Scott talks about their new show, Little Horn, which premiered on May 6 at the Children's Museum of Northern Nevada.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GxlUDrp7WM
The "Celebration of Life" community service will be held at Carson High School at noon on Saturday, April 16, to honor students Keegan Aiazzi and Stephen Anderson.
After the testimony of two suspected teenage rape victims, a judge ruled on Thursday that there was sufficient evidence to try an 18-year-old in Carson City on charges of kidnapping and sexual assault. Brandon...
On Thursday, when the sun sank behind the stands of the Carson High School football stadium, about 500 students and community members released blue and white balloons marked with their hope...
CARSON CITY-R-Sparks Senator Don Gustavson has cancelled his bill when he learned that D-Las Vegas Senator Shirley Breeden was voting for it this afternoon. When the senator realized that his bill had been voted through the committee, he became even more angry. The bill will allow people who are 21 years of age or older, have a motorcycle license for more than one year, and have completed a safety course to ride a motorcycle without a helmet.
This afternoon, near Telegraph Street and Stewart Street in Carson City, a CareFlight helicopter was dispatched after a woman apparently fell or jumped out of a moving vehicle.
The accident happened around 3 o'clock this afternoon. Authorities said the woman was conscious and was talking to a paramedic, but the extent of her injuries has not yet been determined.
As of 3:30 this afternoon, CareFlight landed in an empty parking lot in Carson Nugget. She is likely to be sent to a famous medical center in Reno.
A mother in Carson City was suspected of locking her child in a room and told the authorities to pick him up because she could no longer take care of the boy, so she was put in jail and faced felony child abuse and illegal imprisonment charges.
Retired Navy Commander Kirk Lippold is sailing into the turbulent waters of Nevada politics. The former captain of the USS Cole announced on Thursday that he will seek the nomination of the Republican Nevada's second Congress...
The investigation into the deaths of two Carson City teenagers who died while diving in Monterey last weekend was blocked by the loss of equipment. Monterey County Sheriff’s detective Kevin Gar...
Carson City-Today, the Nevada legislature finally began to discuss the reform of the state's civil servant retirement system, but the Democratic House Speaker John Ossegra made little reform proposals.
Carson City-Days are getting longer and longer, but legislators are still looking for good reasons to be in the legislature from dawn to dusk. This Friday is the deadline for the bill to pass the committee, allowing many lawmakers to run from one committee room to another to keep their bills effective.
Citizen activists on Wednesday urged the government affairs committee not to pass amendments that they believed would weaken the bill aimed at expanding public comment in government meetings. Assembly Bil...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2PBLcp9tWM&feature=player_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cd6sA1ewQC4&feature=channel_video_title
According to AroundCarson.com, the historian and writer Dennis Cassinelli has started to produce a new online video series about the history of the area, called "The Constance Chronicles." This is based on his book, newspaper column and website of the same name.
An interesting story in the Virginia City News reported that Comstock Mining Corporation had reached a deal with the owner of the historic Golden Mountain Hotel. Click here to read the story.
By Sean Whaley / Nevada News Agency Carson City-Governor Brian Sandoval said today that the legislature should adopt the policy measures he proposed in the budget and state government speeches on its own merits, not for trade negotiations Increase in fees or taxes.
Author: Jerry Vance Fitness students still hold weights during aerobic training. They believe that weight-bearing each hand when running will speed up fat loss. Indeed, the heavier you are, the more calories you burn at any given energy expenditure. However, there are other factors to consider before you pick up those hand weights.
Author: Teresa Moiola / Nevada State Department of Cultural Affairs The Nevada State Arts Council will exhibit a series of mixed media artwork "Thick Dreams" by Nick Larsen at its Carson City office on June 3 as the office Part of the exhibition series. Artist lectures and receptions will be held from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm on Thursday, April 14
Author: Don Quilici Mark your calendar for the popular John Riordan Fishing Invitational from April 24th to 26th. John is the assistant general manager of the Carson Station Hotel and Casino in Carson City, and this will be his 14th annual fun-filled fishing event at Lake Topaz. Traditionally, his derby headquarters are located at Topaz Lake Marina and Topaz Lake Lodge at Topaz Lake, the latter located on the Nevada-California boundary about 40 miles south of Carson City.
Author: Sean Whaley / CARSON CITY, Nevada News Agency-A proposed amendment to the Nevada Constitution that allows the future legislature to establish a school voucher program so that parents can obtain state funding to send their children to private schools, including religious schools, Heard today's Senate panel.
By Andrew Doughman / CARSON CITY, Nevada News Agency-In the end, only the quarrel prevailed. Lawmakers did not immediately vote on the bill by Senator Michael Robertson from Las Vegas, but the hearing on Senate Bill 343 provoked fierce testimony about how local governments and public sector unions bargain.
Author: Andrew Doughman / CARSON CITY, Nevada News Agency — Governor Brian Sandoval established a working group to review the advisory body of the executive branch. The governor has asked three former state senators to determine, evaluate and recommend whether the group created by the former governor or state agency should continue.
By Andrew Doughman/Nevada News Agency Carson City-Governor Brian Sandoval has previously stated that he can reform the Nevada education system while still reducing the budget allocated to the state’s K-12 system.
After the tragic scuba diving accident in Monterey Bay on Saturday, students, faculty and staff of Carson High School held a commemorative event in the Carson City campus parking lot to commemorate the two lost on Monday.
The following is a press release issued by the Carson City School District:
16-year-old Stephen Anderson and 17-year-old Keegan Aiazzi were killed in a scuba diving accident in Monterey Bay, California, on Saturday, April 9, 2011. The two are part of a scuba diving organization and sponsored scuba diving activities in Reno's business.
After successful dives on Friday night and Saturday morning, the two young people who have recently become certified scuba divers did not surface with others on their second dive on Saturday morning.
Those who have been here before may notice some changes on the Carson Now website this morning. We updated the website over the weekend, but there are still some tasks to be done. Therefore, at least for the next few hours, please treat it as a construction area. Put on your virtual hard hat and report any problems you see. thanks.
This is the Carson City Road Report as of April 17. Due to utility work, from Monday, April 11th to Wednesday, April 13th, from 7 am to April 13th, near the intersection of Clearview Drive, Edmonds Avenue will be reduced to a single lane, and traffic will be controlled by flagpoles . 7 p.m.
On Thursday, April 14th, from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm, the southbound Edmonds Avenue between Colorado Street and Clearview Avenue will be closed to a single lane and traffic will be controlled by flagpoles
Shoulder work will be carried out at the intersection of 5th Street and Butti Way. However, the lanes are not expected to be closed.
Casinos in Nevada did not perform well in February, and the statewide gaming win rate dropped by 6.84% compared to last year.
A report from the Gaming Control Board in February showed that the Las Vegas Strip was down by 9.56%, while North Lake Tahoe was down by more than 15%. The Carson Valley area, which includes Carson City, dropped by 2.89%.
In this fiscal year, state gaming industry wins are still in a positive range, but only increased by 0.09% over the previous year.
See the attachment below for the full report.
Carson City-Local officials, including the Mayor of Reno and the Mayor of Las Vegas, today enthusiastically supported a proposed constitutional amendment that requires two-thirds of the legislature’s vote to reduce Local government funding may impose an unfunded authorization on the local government.
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office is seeking help from the public to identify two suspects involved in a strong-arm robbery in the Wal-Mart parking lot near Topsey Lane in northern Douglas County at about 3:30 pm on Thursday, March 24.
In the incident, a Hispanic woman forcibly stole a small black box hung on a detachable lanyard from the victim's neck when the victim was walking towards the car in the parking lot.
Carson City-a major campaign finance reform bill that requires most candidates to submit their donations and expenditure reports electronically. Today, it was passed by a parliamentary group with an 8 to 7 vote. The bill will also extend the submission deadline to give voters more time to review political contributions and spending information before voting.
"Confessions of a Paper Pimp" by Sam Bauman. Slalom Press, 2011. A hard copy is available on Amazon for $18.95; the Kindle version is available for $10.
By Andrew Doughman / CARSON CITY, Nevada News Agency-Add up, some of them must die. The legislature did not have enough time to listen to every bill, but this did not stop Republicans from accusing the Democrats of ignoring Republican bills.
A few photos from a cold trip to Lake Tahoe last month. Check out more photos on AroundCarson.com.
By Andrew Doughman / CARSON CITY, Nevada News Agency-This morning, two bills related to illegal immigration sparked heated debates in parliamentary committees. Congressman Ira Hansen from R-Sparks will impose penalties and restrictions on illegal immigrants in a manner similar to the controversial Arizona law enacted last year.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEVapn3XjwU
Another winter weather is expected tonight, with 1 to 3 inches of snow in the Carson City area and 8 inches of snow in Lake Tahoe.
Cold air, more snow and gusts prompted the National Weather Service in Reno to issue winter weather advisories for Carson City, Carson Valley, Lake Tahoe and Reno later tonight until Thursday morning.
This week’s topic is about an old friend, Gene St. Denis, the captain of the Blue Ribbon Charter in South Lake Tahoe, California. He is in his sport fishing boat "PT-109," in Lake Tahoe.
Mackinaw trout weighing in the double digits (10 pounds or more) is not uncommon on these charter flights. In fact, in the past two years, every time Elaine and I used "Gino" to fish, her weight reached double-digit "Mack".
Click here to view this week’s fishing report and click here to view more outdoor stories.
Two years ago, her Mack weighed 20 pounds and 9 ounces (37.5 inches long) and was the largest freshwater fish she ever caught. Last year, her fish weighed more than 10 pounds.
At the request of Spread the Word Nevada, a local children’s literacy non-profit organization, Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval flew from Carson City to Las Vegas on March 31 , Studying at Cambello Elementary School.
This was his last stop after visiting three other schools in Las Vegas. As part of "Reading America and Nevada Reading Month", the governor's reading trip ended. On March 2, during his first visit to the school in Reno, Sandoval signed a declaration declaring that March 2011 was the Nevada Reading Month.
Most of the content submitted to Carson Now is protected by a Creative Commons license:
Please refer to the copyright policy for more information.
Contact us for more information.
Terms of Use and Privacy Policy
NowTown Website: Carson City News-Carson Now South Lake Tahoe News-South Tahoe Now