YOUR AD HERE »

Airport settlement parties meet over possible litigation

Amanda Fehd

The parties to a 1992 legal settlement over the Lake Tahoe Airport met Wednesday to fulfill a requirement to “meet and confer” before commencing with any litigation.

Lawyers for the city of South Lake Tahoe, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, League to Save Lake Tahoe and California Attorney General’s Office met to discuss a conflict over the city’s removal of 387 trees north of the airport in May.

Participants in the meeting were not sure whether they were allowed to discuss what occurred, according to several sources.



The TRPA alleges the city violated the conditions of a permit that restricted the number and size of the trees to 100 between 6 and 10 inches in diameter. The city said it had to remove the trees to comply with public safety.

The city has requested a permit to remove another 1,700 trees.



The TRPA continues to investigate the matter, asking this month for all correspondence by city staff regarding the tree removal. It appears TRPA is still planning to try to impose a fine on the city.

“Public agencies fine other public agencies all the time,” TRPA executive director John Singlaub said Tuesday about the row. He said it would be a challenge to find a solution that will make all parties happy.

“The city may have to make some concessions,” he said. “It’s not going to be done by strong-arming each other and going to court, and that’s where the city is going right now.”


Support Local Journalism

Support Local Journalism

Readers around the Lake Tahoe Basin and beyond make the Tahoe Tribune's work possible. Your financial contribution supports our efforts to deliver quality, locally relevant journalism.

Now more than ever, your support is critical to help us keep our community informed about the evolving coronavirus pandemic and the impact it is having locally. Every contribution, however large or small, will make a difference.

Your donation will help us continue to cover COVID-19 and our other vital local news.