The Governors of California and Nevada are teaming up following the destructive fire in South Lake Tahoe last month. They're creating a commission to look into controversial forest management practices that have prompted criticism from residents. From Sacramento, Marianne Russ reports.
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger joined Nevada Governor Jim Gibbons in South Lake Tahoe to sign an agreement creating the joint Tahoe Basin Fire Commission. The 23-member group of experts will have a controversial task: a review of federal, state and regional regulations related to fire protection. Schwarzenegger says it's not about pointing fingers, but about preventing future fires.
Schwarzenegger : The most important thing when there's a tragedy like this is that we learn from that -- and learn from the mistakes that may have been made and the correct the mistakes and really go into action right away.
Nevada Governor Gibbons said overregulation of the area has led to gridlock and prevented the removal of dead and dying trees. He said better forest management practices are needed. The Tahoe regional planning agency has said in the past that the removal of trees for forest health and fire safety is encouraged.
The commission's recommendations are due next March.
