California and Nevada lawmakers introduced the Santini-Burton Modernization Act on Jan. 27, aiming to unlock millions of dollars in existing federal funds for wildfire prevention and environmental protection across the Lake Tahoe Basin without adding any new costs for taxpayers. The bipartisan legislation would update a 1980 law that originally enabled massive land acquisitions but was later restricted in ways that prevented those funds from being used to actively manage the forests and recreational sites now under federal ownership.
The bill was introduced in the Senate by Sens. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., Adam Schiff, D-Calif., Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., and Jacky Rosen, D-Nev. Companion legislation in the House is led by Rep. Kevin Kiley, R-Calif., with co-sponsors Reps. Dina Titus, D-Nev., and Susie Lee, D-Nev. The rare alignment of Republican and Democratic lawmakers from both states reflects the urgency of addressing wildfire risk and infrastructure needs in one of the West’s most visited natural destinations.
The original Santini-Burton Act enabled the U.S. Forest Service to acquire more than 16,000 acres in the Tahoe Basin, and today 90 percent is publicly owned as a result. However, changes to the act in the 2000s inadvertently limited the law so that funds could only be used for land acquisition, not management. This created a critical gap where federal agencies owned vast tracts of environmentally sensitive land but lacked dedicated resources to maintain them. Lands conserved through the original act include the Upper Truckee River, multiple Tahoe Rim Trail entryways, sections of Tahoe’s East Shore, Blackwood Canyon, and parcels providing open space and wildlife passage.
“The original Santini-Burton Act resulted in the protection of thousands of acres of land in the Tahoe Region. Modernization will allow us to continue protecting those lands for future generations and ensure everyone can enjoy the lake in a safe and sustainable way,” said Julie Regan, executive director of the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency.
Under the modernization act, funds generated by the sale of federal lands in Clark County, Nevada, would become available for management activities rather than remaining restricted to acquisitions. Priority uses would include forest thinning and fuel reduction to lower wildfire risk, protecting Lake Tahoe’s famed water clarity, and upgrading recreational infrastructure to handle the region’s high visitor volume. The legislation builds upon momentum from the Lake Tahoe Restoration Reauthorization Act passed during the previous congressional session.
The bill’s emphasis on forest thinning and fuel reduction reflects the ongoing wildfire threat facing the Lake Tahoe Basin—a threat that extends to private businesses operating within and around these public lands. Property-level preparedness measures have become increasingly common in fire-prone regions. Defensible space around structures remains one of the most widely recognized protection strategies, with many property owners maintaining clearance zones of at least 30 feet around buildings where combustible vegetation is removed or significantly reduced. Fire-resistant infrastructure investments have also become standard practice in high-risk regions, including Class A fire-rated roofing materials and non-combustible siding. Emergency evacuation planning at outdoor hospitality properties typically includes clearly marked routes with multiple exit points and guest registration systems that capture vehicle information and occupancy counts.
The legislation emerged from multi-year collaboration among Tahoe partners, including state and local governments, the bi-state Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California, nonprofits, and the private sector. Team Tahoe, representing more than 80 organizations working to implement the Lake Tahoe Environmental Improvement Program, praised the bill’s introduction.
“Coming from the perspective of a recreation business operating on federal lands, the Santini-Burton Modernization Act is exactly the type of federal investment we need at Tahoe. Public-private partnerships like this allow federal funds to be leveraged while protecting Tahoe’s environment, improving public access, and supporting local businesses,” said Bob Hassett, managing member of Round Hill Pines Beach Resort.
“The Santini-Burton Modernization Act will help us write the next chapter of Tahoe’s conservation success story. Drafted in true collaboration by and for Tahoe partners, this legislation will unlock essential funding to protect the lake and basin for future generations—without costing taxpayers a dime. I look forward to working with the bill’s leads, Senator Cortez Masto and Congressman Kiley, on turning this proposal into law,” said Darcie Goodman Collins, PhD, CEO of Keep Tahoe Blue.
The bill also includes provisions to expand the stewardship authority of the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California, formally recognizing the tribe’s role in managing ancestral lands within the Lake Tahoe Basin. This aspect integrates traditional ecological knowledge into modern conservation efforts and reflects a commitment to collaborative stewardship involving federal, state, local and tribal partners to address climate change and overdevelopment challenges.
“The health of the land equals the health of the people. For many years we have been working to bring Washoe people back onto our homelands and become stewards of the land the way our ancestors have for thousands of years. Updating the Santini-Burton Act will be a huge step for all of us to create the safe and healthy forests we all need,” said Serrell Smokey, chairman of the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California.
The expanded tribal stewardship authority creates a framework relevant to outdoor hospitality operations in the region. Cultural tourism has become an increasingly significant segment of the travel industry, with guests seeking authentic cultural experiences during outdoor recreation. The legislation’s recognition of tribal stewardship has created discussion about potential partnerships between tribal nations and outdoor hospitality operators. Some properties have incorporated cultural elements through interpretive signage acknowledging indigenous history, guided tours using tribally approved content, and traditional arts demonstrations. As the Washoe Tribe assumes greater management responsibilities over ancestral lands within the Lake Tahoe Basin, collaborative arrangements between tribal land managers and private outdoor hospitality businesses represent one area of potential development.
The unique character of Lake Tahoe continues to hold national and regional significance. The bill represents a federal commitment to preserving the bi-state natural treasure while imposing no new costs on taxpayers, repurposing existing accounts that were limited by outdated statutory language.