Lake Tahoe Historical Society + Sierra Club Event!
This week the Tahoe Lead Removal Project was honored to speak to 85+ members of our community at Lakeview Commons in South Lake Tahoe!
A huge thank you to the Sierra Club for this invitation to share the history of these defunct lead telecommunication cables, field a wide range of great questions from the public, and lay out our approach to removal in the coming year.
The Lake Tahoe Historical Society had a piece of old lead cable donated in the 90s, and were kind enough to bring it to the talk. It was the first time I had personally seen this legacy infrastructure up close.
Its staggering to know that over 6 miles of lead cables lay on the bottom of Lake Tahoe. As discussed, in the 1920s this type of engineering was revolutionary, and potentially a way to avoid the environmental impact of cutting down trees to put up traditional lines.
This situation is an opportunity to reflect on our relationship with history and technology. Is it possible that nobody is to “blame”? Are there things we are doing now in the name of sustainability that in 100 years will be a source of question and criticism? We certainly have plenty of examples of that dynamic today.
That’s why we’ve taking a multi-generational approach to this situation, acknowledging that at the time there was not intent to cause harm, and nobody who made the decision to lay lead cables in Lake Tahoe still operates in a professional capacity. Its about looking forward productively, and coming together to deliver the right outcome for generations to come.
Events like these demonstrate the strong public consensus for removal, regardless of the precise amount of lead currently leaching out. Our execution-oriented approach is resonating. People appreciate the range of dynamics that make this project complex while also knowing that the end goal is both attainable and straight forward: get the lead out!
Kate Sawant and I had a great time meeting so many people who share our passion for this work, and are already looking forward to future events! Thanks again to our hosts and all the attendees. Never hesitate to reach out as you’re interested in learning more!
As posted on LinkedIn