The visit by President Barack Obama to Lake Tahoe on Aug. 31 catapulted the protection of Lake Tahoe onto the national spotlight at the 20th anniversary celebration of the Lake Tahoe Summit.
Thousands waited in long security lines to enter the Harvey’s Outdoor Concert Arena in Stateline, Nev., for a chance to be part of the monumental milestone of the Lake Tahoe Summit. The excitement was palpable as residents and local policymakers mingled with visitors, dignitaries, Secret Service and throngs of media in the blazing sun for the President’s visit, including myself, Mael Passanesi and Michelle Allen. Although some attendees were equally, if not more, excited by the pending performance of the rock band The Killers that followed the President’s speech.
The atmosphere was part rock concert and part environmental summit as nonprofits worked to inform guests on everything from the plight of the Lahontan Cutthroat Trout to lake clarity and state parks. President Obama emphasized the economic importance of conservation during his speech: “There’s no contradiction between having a strong economy and a strong environment.”
Read Tahoe Weekly’s coverage of the Summit at TheTahoeWeekly.com and check out Mael’s photo gallery at facebook.com/TheTahoeWeekly.
