The League is pleased to announce that eight miles of defunct, lead-sheathed telecommunication cables will be removed from Lake Tahoe by AT&T in coordination with our team at the League. Our shared goal with the company is to remove the cables by the end of 2024. If weather or legal procedure stand in the way, then we’ll make sure the job is completed as early as possible in 2025.
This is a moment worth sharing, but it is not the finish line. The League will remain closely involved every step of the way, just as we have since learning about the cables, to ensure AT&T fulfills their legally binding commitment to remove the cables safely and quickly.
The announcement was shared in the press release below.
AT&T Settles Lawsuit Regarding Lake Tahoe Cables
League to Save Lake Tahoe to Support AT&T’s Cable Removal
DALLAS, TX, Sept. 18, 2024— AT&T (NYSE: T) has reached a settlement, subject to court approval, with the California Sportfishing Protection Alliance (CSPA) in a lawsuit, originally filed in January 2021, concerning the presence of two telecommunication cables in Lake Tahoe. AT&T will now resume working with the League to Save Lake Tahoe to remove the telecom cables from the lake.
“Multiple expert analyses have confirmed that the telecommunications cables in Lake Tahoe are safe and pose no threat to public health or the environment. While we’re confident in the strength of our case and the safety of the cables, this settlement represents an amicable resolution to litigation. With the litigation behind us, we are fulfilling our original commitment to remove the cables in Lake Tahoe,” said AT&T President-California Marc Blakeman. “In 2021, we agreed to remove these cables to avoid the distraction and expense of protracted litigation. Last summer, following news reports regarding the cables, we paused the removal process to allow for further analysis by experts. Now that these studies have been performed and confirmed the safety of the cables, we can return to our commitment to remove the cables.”
“We welcome this announcement and appreciate AT&T’s commitment to resume the removal of these cables. Lake Tahoe is a special place and deserves this kind of protective action to Keep Tahoe Blue,” said Chief Strategy Officer for the League to Save Lake Tahoe Jesse Patterson. “It’s encouraging to see a major corporation stand by its word, and we look forward to continuing our work with AT&T and regulatory agencies to ensure their commitment to remove the cables is fulfilled – both safely and in the near term.”
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About AT&T
We help more than 100 million U.S. families, friends and neighbors, plus nearly 2.5 million businesses, connect to greater possibility. From the first phone call 140+ years ago to our 5G wireless and multi-gig internet offerings today, we @ATT innovate to improve lives. For more information about AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T), please visit us at about.att.com. Investors can learn more at www.investors.att.com
About the League to Save Lake Tahoe
The League to Save Lake Tahoe is the donor-funded, science-based organization of environmental experts and Tahoe-lovers behind Keep Tahoe Blue. We have led the protection and restoration of the Lake Tahoe Basin since 1957 and remain the one organization who brings everyone together for the same goal – to protect Tahoe for future generations. Learn more, donate, and get involved at keeptahoeblue.org.