INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. — While federal and state officials on Tuesday, per the usual, discussed the persistent environmental challenges facing the Lake Tahoe Basin, the theme of rejuvenating its slumping economy was also incorporated into Harry Reid's 2010 Lake Tahoe Summit political message.

“The focus needs to remain on the environment of Lake Tahoe, but we must also focus on jobs,” said Reid, who organized this year's summit at Sand Harbor State Park.

The U.S. Senate Majority Leader said in the summit's 14-year history, the focus has been on the environment; however, incorporating the premise that widespread economic prosperity can be used as an apparatus to fund public and private preservation efforts was important to note this year.

“This year, I wanted to expand our vision,” Reid said. “We all know people who have lost their jobs and their homes. We all know small businesses that have closed their doors. And we all know that while the Lake Tahoe Basin is a very special place, it is not immune to what is happening everywhere else in Nevada and California and across the country.”

Reid said the renewed focus on economic prosperity is not meant to displace the environmental focus — but strengthen it.

“Simply put, protecting Lake Tahoe is the right thing to do environmentally and economically,” said Reid.

Reid invited Trish Kelly of the Sacramento-based economic development firm Applied Development Economics to speak regarding the need for the environment, economy and sociology of the Lake Tahoe Basin — often called the triple bottom line of Lake Tahoe — to advance together.

Kelly is one of the principal organizers of the Lake Tahoe Basin Prosperity Plan, which provides an unprecedented collaborative effort to assess the basin as one economic region and identify means of stimulating economic growth.

“We've presented the Lake Tahoe Prosperity Plan to federal and state officials, and they agree the plan is ambitious but achievable,” Kelly said.

Collaboration between the public and private sectors to achieve environmental improvement and long-term ecological integrity was a central message of the summit.

“This series has been so productive because we have developed model public-private partnerships,” Reid said. “We've brought together environmentalists, business leaders, and state and federal agencies.”

Reid also discussed the interrelated nature of the economy and environment, saying the pristine natural beauty of the lake is what attracts tourists, who in turn contribute to the local economy. He also said the money invested by tourists can be used to better the basin.

“The work we have done to preserve the beauty and natural wonder of this magnificent place will ensure it will be an attraction for generations to come,” he said.