In May, Lake Tahoe watercraft inspectors have identified numerous boats carrying harmful aquatic invasive species and added them to the list of boats that had to be decontaminated before launching, according to the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and the Tahoe Resource Conservation District, which manage the inspection program.
As of press time, 14 of the more than 1,000 boats inspected were found to have aquatic invasive species in, on or attached to the boat, boat trailer, dock lines or on-board recreational equipment, according to a press release. Seven of the 14 were carrying invasive mussels, which threaten to devastate Lake Tahoe’s ecosystem and recreational experience and could cost the region $20 million a year. By comparison, 20 vessels with AIS were intercepted in 2020. After a full decontamination, which can take up to an hour or more, boats are deemed free of invasive species and are cleared to launch.
Arrive Clean, Drained & Dry
Boats that arrive at Lake Tahoe inspection stations with standing water, wet equipment or storage areas or with ballast systems must undergo a decontamination that can take up to an hour or more before heading to a boat ramp or marina, according to the release.
Boaters showing up Clean, Drained and Dry get on the water faster and help protect Lake Tahoe’s ecosystem and economy.
Since 2008, the Lake Tahoe boat inspection program has intercepted and decontaminated hundreds of vessels carrying invasive species and annually certifies about 15,000 motorized watercraft free of invasive species. No new invasive species have been detected in the Lake Tahoe Region since the program started more than 12 years ago.
TRPA also recently opened a new educational gazebo at the Meyers Boat Inspection Station in South Lake Tahoe to provide shades for visitors during inspections along with information about the work to protect Lake Tahoe from aquatic invasive species. | tahoeboatinspections.com
