Obama Visits Lake Tahoe, Vows To Return

President Barack Obama called Lake Tahoe a pristine environment that must be protected. Obama spoke before a crowd of 7,000 at the Annual Lake Tahoe Summit Wednesday. It was the president’s first trip to what he called a “spectacular” lake.

He said climate change and wildfires are the biggest threat to Lake Tahoe and could undue decades of work to restore the lake.

“That why we’re here, to protect this special pristine place, to keep these waters crystal clear, to keep the air as clear as the heavens, to keep alive Tahoe’s spirit and to keep faith with this truth, that the challenges of conservation and combatting climate change are connected.”

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California Governor Jerry Brown took the stage ahead of Obama's keynote address and said the unprecedented steps taken to protect Lake Tahoe over the last 20 years prove that "beauty transcends politics."

Brown called Tahoe the most beautiful lake in the world.

"This is still a pristine wonder, and the human imagination is so encouraged and nourished by it that Republicans and Democrats actually work together to do good for Tahoe. Thank you Lake Tahoe."

President Obama called Lake Tahoe a pristine environment that must be protected. Obama spoke before a crowd of about 7,000 at the Annual Lake Tahoe Summit.