The brilliant blue waters with amazing clarity are what draw boaters, kayakers and other water enthusiasts to Lake Tahoe. But, it takes all of use to keep these beautiful waters safe from invasive species.
Hence, the TRPA’s mandatory inspections of quagga and zebra mussels for all vessels – including kayaks – into the Lake. This year, the inspection program has been combined with the Blue Boating certification program. Kayakers aren’t required to have Blue Boating certification.
The invasive quagga and zebra species are miniscule, but can wreak havoc on the Lake if they are introduced. These mussels, which are hitching rides on boats and trailers and in ballast tanks, bladders and live wells, are spreading across the West. Quagga and zebra mussels will spread rapidly once they are introduced to a lake and will gorge on the food supply, kill fish and pollute the clarity of the lake. They also will clog cooling system water intakes, causing motors to overheat.
TRPA charges a single annual fee for the invasive species inspections and Blue Boating certification, which are available at all launch sites. TRPA also will be offering four roadside inspection stations opening Memorial Day weekend: Alpine Meadow Ski Resort; Northstar-at-Tahoe in the Castle Peak parking lot; 2128 Keetak St. in Meyers at the intersection of Highways 89 and 50; and Spooner Summit at the intersections of Highways 28 and 50 (boats less than 26’ only). The stations are open daily from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. throughout the summer.
TRPA offers a sticker for Tahoe-only vessels and one for vessels that use other waters during the year – the Tahoe In & Out Sticker. These fees are based on engine horsepower.
The Tahoe Only sticker ranges from $20 for a vessel with 1 to 100 horsepower up to $60 for more than 1,001 horsepower.
The Tahoe In & Out sticker has a fee system based on vessel length or type (including personal watercraft) for the invasive species inspection and on horsepower. For example, a 16’ to 25’ boat with 1 to 100 horsepower would pay $55, while the same size boat with 501 to 1,000 horsepower would be $85. The complete fee structures are available online. The fee includes unlimited invasive species inspections for the year. As well, a three-day pass is available for a flat $20 discount.
It’s a lot of information to digest, so I’ll devote a separate column later in the season to the Blue Boating program and the need for such inspections. In the meantime, call the TRPA hotline at (888) 824-6267 or visit www.protecttahoe.org.
