Some initial steps, developed last month to preserve the quality of life in South Lake Tahoe for future generations, do not go far enough, according to many of those who attended a city sustainability workshop Wednesday.

The workshop - attended by about 40 people - was the first since an August meeting where an "interim sustainability working group" discussed the first moves the city should take to become more environmentally friendly.

After a presentation by Darin Dinsmore, a consultant hired by the city to help develop a sustainability plan, those at the meeting formed breakout groups to discuss their priorities for such a plan.

One of the questions posed to attendees was whether measures recommended by the interim group are enough to fit the sustainability plan's ultimate goal. The plan's goal is to outline the measures to provide for the needs of current residents without sacrificing the ability of future generations to meet their needs.

"No, this is not enough," said Cory Hannaford of Sierra Sustainable Builders. "We believe this is just enough to keep up with the trends in development."

The 15 percent reduction in greenhouse-gas emissions and carbon footprint recommended by the interim group should be raised to 35 percent, said South Lake Tahoe resident and bike advocate Tom Wendell. A goal created by the interim group to have a 55 percent trash diversion rate by 2011 also should be higher, he said.

"I'm not saying it's (South Tahoe Refuse's) responsibility; it's our responsibility," Wendell said, adding on-the-ground efforts are essential to move the city toward a healthier future.

"There's been a lot of talk about being green and sustainable," Wendell said while speaking for his breakout group at the workshop. "We really haven't seen the effort it's going to take; it's going to take action."

Earlier in the meeting, Dinsmore touched on a sense of frustration with "excessive planning" among some residents, while saying more people at the South Shore need to be brought into the process to develop an effective plan.

Those who attended the meeting Wednesday were "self-selected" because they already had an interest in the topic of sustainability, Dinsmore said. "In order to be successful, we're going to have to reach out to everyone else," he said.

A second workshop is expected to focus on strategies to move the city toward sustainability. A date for the workshop hasn't been set.

The input gathered from the workshops will be compiled and presented to the City Council at a subsequent meeting, Dinsmore said.