Sierra Club criticizes plan for development in Tahoe area

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Sierra Club has criticized regulators' plan to guide future development at Lake Tahoe, saying it doesn't go far enough to protect the lake's environment.

The club questions whether the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency's Regional Plan Update would help in meeting the agency's mandated environmental goals, known as thresholds, for everything from the lake's clarity to noise.

The Tahoe Daily Tribune reported the organization complains that little, if any, discussion has been devoted to the impact of proposed plan amendments on thresholds and to how thresholds will be achieved.

Agency spokeswoman Julie Regan disagrees, saying the plan is focused on implementing the bi-state agency's already stringent environmental standards.

The agency released final documents for the plan last week. Its governing board is expected to vote on it in December.