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All public and commercial private boat ramps will be required to close if they do not have a Tahoe Regional Planning Agency approved aquatic invasive species inspector on hand starting Nov. 1.
The TRPA Governing Board approved code amendments that would toughen boat inspection rules at its meeting Wednesday at The Chateau.
In addition to closing ramps that do not have an inspector, the new rule also requires boat owners to decontaminate their vessel if an inspector finds a invasive species on it.
The change to the TRPA language is part of an effort that began in May to keep invasive species like quagga and zebra mussels out of Lake Tahoe.
Quagga and zebra mussels are invasive species that have infected bodies of water all across the country, including Lake Mead and San Justo Reservoir about 250 miles away from Tahoe in Northern California. Once introduced to a body of water, the mussels multiply rapidly, destroying ecosystems, infrastructure and boating equipment. No large body of water has been able to eradicate the species once infected.
“There is ample scientific evidence right now that suggests that motorized watercraft from other regions is a major risk here,” said Sudeep Chandra, a University of Nevada, Reno, professor who studies invasive species. “It’s about risk assessment. What you are voting on is risk.”
The mussels have also had a deep economic impact on other areas of the country. The Great Lakes zebra mussel infestation cost the power industry $3.1 billion in the 1993-1999 period, with an economic impact to industries, businesses, and communities of more than $5 billion, according to U.S. Congressional researchers estimates.
The code changes made Wednesday do not affect single-home private ramp owners after the Governing Board amended the language originally presented to them, said TRPA Wildlife Program Manager Ted Thayer.
“There was a desire from the board not to prohibit people from launching their boats,” Thayer said.
The code changes, which will be effective Nov. 1, will result in $803,000 of spending on additional inspectors and infrastructure. Thayer said TRPA is working with other organizations and private donors to cover the additional cost.
At the meeting some boat owners said they were concerned about how the program may affect local boat owners.
“Boaters have no stake in this,” said Larry Swick, a Lake Tahoe boat owner and resident. “They may transport these boats here but the ones with the stakes are those who keep their boats on buoys — and the water companies.”
Still other local residents and organizations like the Sierra Club, the League to Save Lake Tahoe and the Incline Village General Improvement District praised the agency’s efforts.
“We’re concerned about the recreation component and how it affects boaters at the beaches,” said Joe Pomroy, IVGID director of public works. “As a potable water supplier and as a boat ramp supplier, we support the proposal that’s before the board.”
The TRPA Governing Board approved code amendments that would toughen boat inspection rules at its meeting Wednesday at The Chateau.
In addition to closing ramps that do not have an inspector, the new rule also requires boat owners to decontaminate their vessel if an inspector finds a invasive species on it.
The change to the TRPA language is part of an effort that began in May to keep invasive species like quagga and zebra mussels out of Lake Tahoe.
Quagga and zebra mussels are invasive species that have infected bodies of water all across the country, including Lake Mead and San Justo Reservoir about 250 miles away from Tahoe in Northern California. Once introduced to a body of water, the mussels multiply rapidly, destroying ecosystems, infrastructure and boating equipment. No large body of water has been able to eradicate the species once infected.
“There is ample scientific evidence right now that suggests that motorized watercraft from other regions is a major risk here,” said Sudeep Chandra, a University of Nevada, Reno, professor who studies invasive species. “It’s about risk assessment. What you are voting on is risk.”
The mussels have also had a deep economic impact on other areas of the country. The Great Lakes zebra mussel infestation cost the power industry $3.1 billion in the 1993-1999 period, with an economic impact to industries, businesses, and communities of more than $5 billion, according to U.S. Congressional researchers estimates.
The code changes made Wednesday do not affect single-home private ramp owners after the Governing Board amended the language originally presented to them, said TRPA Wildlife Program Manager Ted Thayer.
“There was a desire from the board not to prohibit people from launching their boats,” Thayer said.
The code changes, which will be effective Nov. 1, will result in $803,000 of spending on additional inspectors and infrastructure. Thayer said TRPA is working with other organizations and private donors to cover the additional cost.
At the meeting some boat owners said they were concerned about how the program may affect local boat owners.
“Boaters have no stake in this,” said Larry Swick, a Lake Tahoe boat owner and resident. “They may transport these boats here but the ones with the stakes are those who keep their boats on buoys — and the water companies.”
Still other local residents and organizations like the Sierra Club, the League to Save Lake Tahoe and the Incline Village General Improvement District praised the agency’s efforts.
“We’re concerned about the recreation component and how it affects boaters at the beaches,” said Joe Pomroy, IVGID director of public works. “As a potable water supplier and as a boat ramp supplier, we support the proposal that’s before the board.”
