Tahoe Lead Removal Project

In seeking to learn more about the history of submarine telecommunication cables, our research at the Tahoe Lead Removal Project brought us across a fantastic book on Bell Labs by Jonathan Gertner 📖 ☎️ For anyone fascinated by the history of #technology, its a worthwhile journey back in time that builds an appreciation for the lineage of #innovation that permeates our modern world. From the invention of the transistor, to the transition from germanium to silicon semiconductors, and expedited delivery of war-winning military equipment, the story canvasses an unprecedented acceleration of the possible at an inflection point for the US 🚂 🚅 As signage at Lake Tahoe references the famed Bell System, we had always taken an interest in the history of the #network. This book led us further down this path 🕳️🐇 The first Lake Tahoe cable was laid in the late 1920s, only a few decades after the very first telephone call was made by Alexander Graham Bell. At the time, the universal connectivity between people around the world we all experience on a daily basis was a dream. Oliver Buckley, the President of Bell Labs from 1940-1951 made a name for himself with his groundbreaking contributions in submarine cable technology 💧🛠️ From this incredible book we learned about the “The Bell System Technical Journal” an extraordinary collection of papers and articles that were foundational to advances made during this period. Its in this publication that Claude Shannon, for whom Anthropic’s flagship model is named, published “A Mathematical Theory of Communication” better known as Information Theory - for which he won the Nobel Prize ⚡ 🏅 Research through the decades of this publication has provided crucial context to the history of submarine #telecom infrastructure, and created a deep appreciation for Bell Lab’s contributions to the communication we all benefit from today. We recently found a diagram of a cable that ran from Key West to Havana. Will let you determine for yourself how similar they appear 📐🤔 In the coming weeks we’re excited to share more on our historical research, and hopeful that our work demonstrates that legacy infrastructure can be approached with a reverence that respects both our technological predecessors and the future sustainability of our natural treasures 👨🏼🏫🏔️ Sources: Affel, Gorton, Chesnut. “A New Key West-Havana Carrier Telephone Cable”. The Bell System Technical Journal, April 1932. Photo as taken by TLRP organizers in August 2024 courtesy of the Lake Tahoe Historical Society.

Exciting to see all the supportive coverage of AT&T’s commitment to getting the lead out of Lake Tahoe! We’re grateful to have the Tahoe Lead Removal Project perspective on the path forward covered by SFGATE this week 📰 💧 Its been exciting to see so many groups locally and beyond rally around this major development, especially given the aim to remove the lead cables by November 30th. In engaging across stakeholders and partners, we already see momentum in these removal efforts, further reassuring our confidence that this commitment will be upheld 🗓 As quoted in the piece, we’re very positive on this path forward and are happy to see the litigation take this path versus further escalation. For our #community effort, we acknowledge the complicated historical backdrop and have never looked to assign blame. We’ve always remained focused on removal since the very beginning, with our petition calling for this action regardless of the amount of lead leaching 🛠 In scoping the #engineering work ourselves as part of the permitting process, we’ve verified that - barring notable weather challenges - this work can be completed in less than a month. This project is achievable on the timeline outlined, especially given the authorizations previously provided, and we are standing by ready to help however we can alongside many local partners 🏗 We look forward to seeing this important work through to completion, and thank AT&T once more their commitment to delivering this outcome 🙏 To learn more about our efforts, and follow material developments in the coming months, please visit our website and consider signing the petition at tahoelead.com https://lnkd.in/gFd5H3Rq

I am thrilled to announce that AT&T has committed to removing eight miles of lead-sheathed cables from Lake Tahoe, thanks in large part to the essential role the League to Save Lake Tahoe played in making it happen. Some of our most important work to protect the Lake happens behind the scenes, as it did here. We accelerated the permitting process for the removal operation through our contacts at federal, state, and local agencies, commissioned a survey to map the cables, and helped secure a staging area for the equipment needed for the operation. We’ve also been in contact with AT&T and their environmental consultants to push the project forward. Reaching this milestone is an important step for the health of Lake Tahoe’s waters, but there is still work ahead to ensure the project is completed safely and quickly. Read the League's press release: https://lnkd.in/gjvpqxFZ

Monumental day for the Tahoe Lead Removal Project! 🏔💧🔧 AT&T and the California Sportfishing Protection Alliance have entered into a new, final consent decree whereas Pacific Bell (AT&T) will fulfill its original commitment to remove the lead cables from Lake Tahoe! Both sides have our immense gratitude and support for this landmark agreement for the long term #sustainability of the lake 👏 🙏 Please find a copy of this document below, along with summary thoughts on this action: 📜 These sides previously entered into a consent decree fall 2021 that agreed to perform this critical project to “avoid the distraction and expense of protracted litigation”. However, following a series of articles from The Wall Street Journal this agreement was vacated, the sides resumed litigation, and the future of the lead cables was unknown. 🌱 Our grassroots #community effort emerged following this development, as regardless of the amount of lead currently leaching out we wanted these lead cables removed. Since launching, +775 individuals have signed our petition at tahoelead.com, and we engaged all 7 government agencies required to authorize. ⚗️ Critically, this new consent decree outlines the depositions and studies of 9 experts that confirm: the cables do not pose a health #risk to people, there is no ecological risk to animals or plants in Lake Tahoe from the cables, sampling of water by the State of California at the intake of the water system closest to the cables confirms lead was not detectable. 🗓 AT&T has agreed to remove the cables “as soon as practicable”, with a target of November 30, 2024 or in spring 2025! This sense of urgency is crucial, and inspiring. 🪙Another key development: this commitment has been separated from agreements regarding legal fees and costs, with those to be determined by the Court. This avoids some potential impediments in the coming weeks as this action is approved. This tremendous news has been celebrated in our #community, and we thank AT&T for taking this action today. It aligns directly with our petition asking for all government, corporate and public entities to support immediate removal. Our efforts will continue to evolve, as we remain focused on one goal: get the lead out. Our work will not end until this lead cables are finally removed from the #water, and we remain ready to work with all stakeholders to achieve this outcome. Plenty more to come from our end. Document source: CourtListener.com. CA Sportfishing Protection Alliance v. Pacific Bell Telephone Co. Document #148

Momentum is picking up at the Tahoe Lead Removal Project after an exciting and productive summer! ☀️🚤 Our petition grew +30% in the past month, driven by a front page story in the San Francisco Chronicle, an inspiring event hosted by the Sierra Club and word of mouth in the local community. We’re grateful to everyone who has joined our call to action to remove miles of inactive lead cables from Lake Tahoe ✍️🙏 This documented support continues to establish strong public consensus for removal - regardless of the precise amount of lead currently leaching out. While there are important historical elements to this situation, our orientation has always been towards the future. This aim continues to resonate with homeowners, residents, people who visit a few times a year, and even those who have never been. Given the potential #risk to the lake, we’re pushing for a conservative, cautious approach to the long term #sustainability of Lake Tahoe and its #water 💧🔧 If anything, our research during the permitting process has further affirmed the uniqueness of this issue, and the complex path to the current juncture. The simply reality is that no one involved in the decision to lay these lead cables currently operates in a professional capacity. The only finger we are pointing is toward ourselves: we want to execute this project! 🙋 👷 Each week that “we” gets bigger and bigger. We’re honored to be engaged with a wide range of partners coming together to deliver this important outcome for the #community. We’ve taken tangible steps to prove our ability to do so, and are increasingly excited to push forward. To learn more about what we’re doing - and how we’re doing it, check out tahoelead.com or feel free to reach out directly!

Governing is asking the real questions: why IS there still lead in our water? The answer: Because we need to #fundwater of course! 

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 Johnson 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! tahoelead.com