TRPA compromise on way to Sandoval’s desk

Compromise legislation repealing Nevada’s threat to withdraw from the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency is headed to Gov. Brian Sandoval’s desk.

The Assembly gave final approval to SB229 on Friday. Given that Sandoval was instrumental in working with California Gov. Jerry Brown to develop the compromise language, he is expected to sign it.

The bill would repeal legislation passed two years ago that threatened that Nevada would withdraw from the bi-state compact for managing the lake. Many credit the bill for bringing California officials to the bargaining table to fix some issues involving development and environmental protection.

As a result, said Assemblyman David Bobzien, D-Reno, “a compromise regional plan update where all sides had to give a little was achieved.”

“What you see before you is a compromise solution that moves us forward,” he said.

TRPA detractors have complained for years that environmentalists and California members of the TRPA Governing Board systematically blocked any development — even projects designed to help clean up the air and water in the basin.

During the Senate debate, Sen. James Settelmeyer, R-Gardnerville, who pushed for withdrawal two years ago, said he thinks the new plan will help turn things around at the lake.

The only no vote in the Assembly came from Douglas County Republican Jim Wheeler, who didn’t speak on the floor.