OFFICIAL PUBLIC STATEMENT FROM CLEAN UP THE LAKE
“Our Organization’s Response to the Recently Fabricated Youtube Videos”
Our organization wanted to take a moment to address a video circulating on YouTube making numerous false claims about Clean Up The Lake, our founder, Colin West, and what lies beneath Lake Tahoe’s surface. The video uses AI-generated narration and fabricated imagery alongside our organization’s real footage, which was used without authorization.
To be clear:
- Clean Up The Lake has not discovered multiple vehicles, toxic waste barrels, human remains, and the environmental contamination as described in the video.
- Clean Up The Lake has no involvement with the ROV investigations, chemical analyses, or law enforcement activities described in the video. None of these events occurred.
- Quotes attributed to Clean Up The Lake or Colin West in the video are fabricated.
- Our footage was used without our knowledge or permission.
It has come to our attention that in addition to one primary YouTube video that has gained significant viewership, there are numerous other youtube videos with an almost-identical narrative, hosted by multiple channels with very similar and false information. We have requested the videos be removed and are taking appropriate steps to address the situation
Clean Up The Lake remains committed to the conservation of Lake Tahoe through underwater litter removal, data collection, education, and honest work. The organization has received an incredible amount of support from donors, volunteers, and partners whose generosity we also defend. For accurate information about our work, please rely only on our official website and social media channels.
If you have questions, please contact us at info@cleanupthelake.org
Sincerely,
Colin West
CEO, Clean Up The Lake
On Behalf of Our Board of Directors
