The South Shore Chamber of Commerce announced green intentions at its monthly board meeting on Thursday, with the unanimous approval of eight environmental initiatives.

"It's just the right thing to do," said Carl Ribaudo, president of the South Shore Chamber of Commerce. "These initiatives will not be the end of what we do (as) this document will be evolving."

Included in the initiatives are the implementation of a "Build It Green" program to promote green building practices, investigating a California Green Cities designation for South Lake Tahoe, advocating green government practices at the South Shore, the development of an eco-tourism marketing campaign and promoting green solutions to transportation issues at the South Shore.

Also incorporated into the initiatives are the development of a technical resource guide for environmentally friendly business practices. In addition, there is a move to make a "Green Room" on the chamber's Web site to provide information on goods and services at green businesses.

Community members, not just businesses, will also have the opportunity to get involved.

Loosely based on the RiverKeepers program, a grassroots effort to protect rivers nationwide, the chamber approved a plan for a Lake Keepers program. It will include a Web site and user blog detailing ways everyone can protect Lake Tahoe.

The Lake Keepers program doesn't require membership and encourages everyone to be stewards of the environment.

The chamber has already enlisted the help of community members in the development of the initiatives, including South Lake Tahoe resident and avid bicyclist, Tom Wendell.

Wendell made a rare appearance in a suit and tie at Thursday's meeting to show his willingness to work with the chamber's businesses on the initiatives implementation.

"See, I can work with people in suits," Wendell said, jokingly. "I'm not always dressed in Lycra."



Councilman Long rallies against Foothill Oaks Casino



South Lake Tahoe City Council member Ted Long rallied support for his opposition to the proposed Foothill Oaks Casino in Shingle Springs at the South Shore Chamber of Commerce meeting on Thursday.

The casino, set to break ground outside Placerville this spring and open in October 2008, would have 2,000 slot machines, "numerous" table games and five restaurants, according to a March 2007 Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians newsletter.

"There really will be nothing like it in all of El Dorado County," Nicholas Fonseca, tribal chairman, was quoted as saying in the newsletter. "This will be a world-class resort and entertainment destination."

Claims cited in an economic study presented to El Dorado County Supervisors stated there would be no economic damage to the South Lake Tahoe economy from the casino have been disputed.

"Not only is this project a major upset to this quite residential community, but is an environmental and economic disaster to our community that has already lost close to 3,000 jobs in the past five years to Indian gaming," Long said.

The South Lake Tahoe city council member went on to say there is an opportunity to stop the casino's construction, but it will require help from people "outside our city."

For those people to act they would need to hear vocal opposition from the South Lake Tahoe community, according to Long.

The chamber vowed to send letters to its members, as well as El Dorado County Supervisors, detailing their opposition to the casino.