Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor:
Have you ever wondered about the folks behind the incredible trails we all love? That’s our local US Forest Service, the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU), and we at TAMBA are lucky to call them partners. We’ve been working side-by-side for years, planning, building and maintaining amazing trails like Corral, Tyrolian, Kingsbury Stinger, Stanford Rock and many more that bring us so much joy.
Now, our partners at the LTBMU are facing some challenging times with dramatic staff and budget cuts, and that’s something we should all be concerned about. Our local Forest Service staff are vital to our community, keeping our forests healthy and outdoor recreation strong. Whether you’re a hiker, biker, or just love the beauty of Lake Tahoe, we need to support them.
Currently there are no field staff left to support trails and outdoor recreation around Lake Tahoe and the Basin Wide Trails EA has been placed on hold with no expected date for its release. We are working closely with the LTBMU to strategize how we can best support our favorite Lake Tahoe trails and outdoor recreation through 2025. We are gearing up for a strong season of trail work and your favorite TAMBA events throughout the coming season. We want to keep those trails maintained, open and accessible for everyone!
Here’s how you can help our trails: · Let your voice be heard! Email or write your lawmakers and let them know we need to invest in our public lands. · Call! The congressional hotline is (202) 224-3121—an operator will connect you with your representatives. · Volunteer! Come out and help us build and maintain those trails. It’s a fun way to give back. · Renew or become a TAMBA member! Your support makes a huge difference. · Donate! Every bit helps us keep our trails in top shape.
Let’s work together to keep Tahoe’s trails thriving. I can’t wait to see you on the trails, at a workday, or at our next event!”
Drew Bray
Executive Director | TAMBA
Helping non-native wildlife
Tom and I got a call from a local lady asking for us to help her. She had an injured pigeon. She took it to Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care (LTWC) for help. They told her they would NOT help it because it was Non-Native. LTWC gave her a list of other contacts that could help. She remembered my name so she called and we said, ‘Of course, bring it out’.
It is a healthy pigeon with a wound on both sides of its breast. It appeared to have been shot by a B-B gun. I will always help birds or animals. THAT is why I started LTWC in the first place in 1978.
I currently work under the permits issued to Nor-Cal Bats and are covered by them, to help care for infant or adult bats.
So, if EVER I can help with any domestic birds or animals – OR BATS – please call me.
Cheryl Millham, Founder
Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care, Inc.
530-573-2273.
Fighting for better and PFAS-free gears and equipment for firefighters in South Lake Tahoe
Firefighters are essential, especially in states where wildfires have become more frequent, like California. In the last 44 years, wildfires remained the state’s most common and destructive extreme weather event, causing at least $200 billion in damages. Among the largest wildfires took place here in South Lake Tahoe. The Caldor Fire in 2021, which raged for over two months, burned down more than 221,000 acres of land across three counties, including El Dorado. At least 1,000 buildings and houses also went up in smoke, leaving more than 50,000 homeless. Four years later, the Caldor Fire stays fresh in the minds of South Lake Tahoe City residents, but firefighters are also facing another threat lurking on their own gear.
Cancer-causing PFAS found on firefighting equipment
A firefighter’s turnout gear consists of a helmet, suit, pants, gloves, and boots. All of these were manufactured with chemicals to protect them from the effects of massive fires. These included PFAS, which stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl and substances. Due to their fireproofing and insulation capabilities, these ‘forever chemicals’ became an effective firefighting ingredient. With its insulating and oil-resistant properties, firefighters won’t have to worry about catching themselves on fire while dealing with the flames. They also relied on Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF) as extinguishers. In fact, AFFF-based foams were considered a military standard until research found a disturbing link between cancer and PFAS.
Studies have proven the connection between prolonged exposure to PFAS and increased risk of developing liver damage, kidney disease, and even cancer. According to the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF), occupational cancer continues to be the number one killer among firefighters, and they also discovered that 66% of cancer-stricken firefighters may have gotten the disease from their own turnout gear.
Safer firefighting gear through the PFAS Alternatives Act
Due to the danger posed by PFAS, the government implemented several policies to mitigate and contain its harmful impact. In California, the state has begun phasing out PFAS from firefighting foams. Lawmakers also proposed banning PFAS-containing firefighting gears, a step that garnered support from firefighters in El Dorado, which has 72 firefighting professionals. For their part, the Senate aims to streamline the development of safer firefighting equipment through the PFAS Alternatives Act. The bill seeks to provide funding for research and the creation of firefighting gear free of toxic chemicals that can further endanger firefighters’ lives. While this bipartisan legislation does not offer direct financing for firefighting departments to replace their old gear, it can be a practical alternative to the outright ban or phasing out. Sadly, despite PFAS being harmful, some Californian firefighters continue using their old firefighting turnout gear. Until new and safer alternatives are made available to the market -not to mention the looming threats of more wildfires- their lives remain in even greater danger.
Jonathan Sharp is the Chief Financial Officer of Environmental Litigation Group, P.C. Located in Birmingham, Alabama, the law firm provides legal support to firefighters-civilian and military-exposed to cancer-causing PFAS.
Kudos: Boys and Girls Club of Lake Tahoe thanks Vail Resorts EpicPromise
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – The Boys & Girls Club of Lake Tahoe (BGCLT) would like to thank Heavenly Ski Resort, Kirkwood Mountain Resort, and Vail Resorts EpicPromise for their continuous generosity. As a long-time supporter, EpicPromise has awarded the Club a grant each year for the past nine years. This year, BGCLT received a $20,000 cash grant as part of the second year of their three-year commitment, along with a variety of in-kind donations.
“We are so thankful for the in-kind donation support we receive from EpicPromise,” said Aimi Xistra, the Club’s Development Director. “With $7,500 in trips, lift tickets, food vouchers, rentals, and other on mountain experiences we are able to utilize these for silent auctions and raffles at events like the Holiday Sausage Party, Golf Classic and April Foolery Tap Takeover.”
In addition to supporting our fundraisers, EpicPromise provides Club members the opportunity to explore the mountain and enjoy outdoor excursions throughout the winter season. This year, EpicPromise provided the Club with lift tickets as well as ski and snowboard lessons for members at Kirkwood and Heavenly.
“Our Winter Recreation Program gave members the chance to explore our local mountains,” said Program Director Ali Eller. “They had an EPIC time learning to ski and snowboard, making unforgettable memories with their friends. We’re so grateful to Vail Resort EpicPromise for their continued support and for making all the fun on the mountain possible.”
Gina Stowell, our Art Specialist, was one of the Club’s staff members who joined the group on the mountain and experienced firsthand how enjoyable the program was. She shared, “As I skied with my group, which was mostly intermediate skiers and one very unsure beginner, I saw the better skiers truly step up. Rather than rushing ahead, they were patient and encouraging. They took the time to show her how to turn her skis properly and how to stop and control them with more confidence. It was a fun and rewarding experience, full of learning moments. It was not just about skiing, but about supporting our friend and making sure she had a great time too.”
Boys and Girls Club of Lake Tahoe
