The Lake Tahoe Aquatic Invasive Species Coordination Committee will host a public forum on April 5 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the US Forest Service Building at 35 College Drive in South Lake Tahoe.
Brief presentations will focus on aquatic invasive species prevention and control projects in the Lake Tahoe Basin, including the Tahoe Watercraft Inspection Program, invasive aquatic plant and Asian clam control efforts, and non-native fish removal. The evening will conclude with a question and answer period. Light refreshments will be served.
Aquatic Invasive Species pose a real and serious threat to the Tahoe Basin’s unique natural environment and economy. Prevention efforts such as the Watercraft Inspection Program aim to avoid introduction of harmful species, such as Quagga and Zebra Mussels and New Zealand mudsnails. However, efforts have expanded in recent years to include control projects for invasive species already present in Lake Tahoe, such as Asian clams, Eurasian watermilfoil, curlyleaf pondweed, and non-native fishes. Primary funding for these projects has come from US Fish & Wildlife Service.
“Preventing and controlling aquatic invasive species matters to everyone who lives, works or plays here,” said Pete Brumis, Public Outreach Specialist for Tahoe RCD. ”
The AIS Forum offers the opportunity to interact with those leading the efforts to protect Lake Tahoe.” Presenters include scientists, research professionals and agency personnel from UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center, TRPA, the U.S. Forest Service, Tahoe RCD and the US Fish & Wildlife Service. Project partners also hope to host another forum in the fall to summarize activities and lessons learned over the summer.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Monday, March 14, 2011
Tickets on sale for Concours d'Elegance
CARNELIAN BAY, Calif. - Tickets to the 39th Annual Lake Tahoe Concours d'Elegance Wooden Boat Show are available online at http://www.laketahoeconcours.com.
Make reservations for this year's show, which takes place Aug. 12 to 13 at Sierra Boat Company Marina in Carnelian Bay.
Show tickets
Show tickets may be purchased for one or two days allowing access along the docks at the Sierra Boat Company where you'll enjoy festivities, food, music, vendors and, of course, up-close and personal views of some of the most historic and classic wooden boats in the nation. Single day passes are $25 in advance and $30 at the gate. Two-day passes are $35 in advance and $40 at the gate. Children under 12 are free.
Awards barbecue
With a backdrop like no other surrounded by premiere Concours boats and the splendor of Lake Tahoe, join exhibitors, judges and guests for a Korbel Champagne barbecue catered by Men Wielding Fire. The presentation of 2011 Concours d' Elegance awards will be held at the Sierra Boat Company marina courtyard beginning at 6 p.m. on Aug. 12. Adult tickets are $50, children 6 to 12 are $25, and children under 6 are free.
Opening Night Gala
Don't miss this traditional kick-off event held at the West Shore Café at 6 p.m. on Aug. 11. Enjoy wine, elegant food, music and the stories behind the boats and their owners. Tickets are $135 and are limited to the first 200 people, so don't wait to secure your spot. Additional details and theme for the Gala will be announced closer to show dates. Continue to check show the Web site for up-to-date information.
Ladies' Luncheon & Fashion Show
All ladies are welcome to an afternoon with fellow boat exhibitors and friends to enjoy light beverages and a catered lunch while enjoying some of the hottest fashions from Sports Tahoe. Tickets are $55 and the event will take place at 11:30 a.m. on Aug. 14. Each year's luncheon is hosted at a fabulous locale in Lake Tahoe.
Men's Grill Turner Playtime
The tradition continues as late friend and Tahoe Yacht Club Staff Commodore Howard Turner is honored at the Men's Grill Playtime beginning at noon on Aug. 14. Tickets to this relaxed afternoon along the lakefront lawn are $45 and include a hosted bar and catered barbecue lunch by Melanie Jackson.
Visit http://www.laketahoeconcours.com/ for additional information on all ticket sales and event details. Additional information on sponsorship packages, participant entries, and scheduled entertainment are available online.
Make reservations for this year's show, which takes place Aug. 12 to 13 at Sierra Boat Company Marina in Carnelian Bay.
Show tickets
Show tickets may be purchased for one or two days allowing access along the docks at the Sierra Boat Company where you'll enjoy festivities, food, music, vendors and, of course, up-close and personal views of some of the most historic and classic wooden boats in the nation. Single day passes are $25 in advance and $30 at the gate. Two-day passes are $35 in advance and $40 at the gate. Children under 12 are free.
Awards barbecue
With a backdrop like no other surrounded by premiere Concours boats and the splendor of Lake Tahoe, join exhibitors, judges and guests for a Korbel Champagne barbecue catered by Men Wielding Fire. The presentation of 2011 Concours d' Elegance awards will be held at the Sierra Boat Company marina courtyard beginning at 6 p.m. on Aug. 12. Adult tickets are $50, children 6 to 12 are $25, and children under 6 are free.
Opening Night Gala
Don't miss this traditional kick-off event held at the West Shore Café at 6 p.m. on Aug. 11. Enjoy wine, elegant food, music and the stories behind the boats and their owners. Tickets are $135 and are limited to the first 200 people, so don't wait to secure your spot. Additional details and theme for the Gala will be announced closer to show dates. Continue to check show the Web site for up-to-date information.
Ladies' Luncheon & Fashion Show
All ladies are welcome to an afternoon with fellow boat exhibitors and friends to enjoy light beverages and a catered lunch while enjoying some of the hottest fashions from Sports Tahoe. Tickets are $55 and the event will take place at 11:30 a.m. on Aug. 14. Each year's luncheon is hosted at a fabulous locale in Lake Tahoe.
Men's Grill Turner Playtime
The tradition continues as late friend and Tahoe Yacht Club Staff Commodore Howard Turner is honored at the Men's Grill Playtime beginning at noon on Aug. 14. Tickets to this relaxed afternoon along the lakefront lawn are $45 and include a hosted bar and catered barbecue lunch by Melanie Jackson.
Visit http://www.laketahoeconcours.com/ for additional information on all ticket sales and event details. Additional information on sponsorship packages, participant entries, and scheduled entertainment are available online.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Bacteria could kill invasive species
The recent discovery of a bacteria that can kill zebra and quagga mussels has raised hopes for private and public organizations fighting to control the environmentally hazardous speciesm according to news reports.
New York State Museum researchers Daniel Molloy and Denise Mayer discovered a bacteria strain — Pseudomonas fluorescens — that can kill zebra and quagga mussels without killing other native species in the ecosystem.
Quagga and zebra mussels have not entered Lake Tahoe, but in the past three years the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency has implemented a lake-wide boat inspection program in an effort to prevent aquatic invasive species from entering into the waters of Lake Tahoe.
The complete story is available at the Tahoe Daily Tribune.
New York State Museum researchers Daniel Molloy and Denise Mayer discovered a bacteria strain — Pseudomonas fluorescens — that can kill zebra and quagga mussels without killing other native species in the ecosystem.
Quagga and zebra mussels have not entered Lake Tahoe, but in the past three years the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency has implemented a lake-wide boat inspection program in an effort to prevent aquatic invasive species from entering into the waters of Lake Tahoe.
The complete story is available at the Tahoe Daily Tribune.
Thunderbird Lodge Lighthouse restored
From "Thunderbird Tales" newsletter
The Whittell Harbor Beacon (Lighthouse) at Thunderbird Lodge has been an East Shore fixture since it was built in 1938.
Early photos show a bridge from the lighthouse parapet to shore, but it appears to have been removed during Whittell’s time.
As the years took their toll, winter storms battered the monument until the
base was all but gone. The beacon was in imminent danger of collapsing as only
a tiny pinnacle of rock remained to support the structure.
After nearly two years were spent obtaining the regulatory approvals and
permits for these emergency repairs, the beacon was saved in just three short
weeks of construction in October.
For more and other news about the Thunderbird Lodge, visit www.thunderbirdlodge.org. You can find the latest newsletter, under the link for "Preservation Society."
The Whittell Harbor Beacon (Lighthouse) at Thunderbird Lodge has been an East Shore fixture since it was built in 1938.
Early photos show a bridge from the lighthouse parapet to shore, but it appears to have been removed during Whittell’s time.
As the years took their toll, winter storms battered the monument until the
base was all but gone. The beacon was in imminent danger of collapsing as only
a tiny pinnacle of rock remained to support the structure.
After nearly two years were spent obtaining the regulatory approvals and
permits for these emergency repairs, the beacon was saved in just three short
weeks of construction in October.
For more and other news about the Thunderbird Lodge, visit www.thunderbirdlodge.org. You can find the latest newsletter, under the link for "Preservation Society."
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
TRPA appeals pier construction ruling
The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency has said it will appeal a federal judge's ruling that struck down rules guiding new pier construction and other shoreline activity on Lake Tahoe.
The agency hopes to overturn a September decision by U.S. District Court Judge Lawrence K. Karlton that found TRPA failed to ensure protection of the lake's environment with new regulations on shoreline development, according to the Reno Gazette-Journal.
"We feel there is substantial case law that supports the analysis TRPA used" in preparing the regulations, said Nicole Rinke, the agency's general counsel. "The amendments were the result of a 20-plus-year stakeholder process and represent a reasonable approach to regulation of the shoreline."
While the appeal is pending, a freeze will remain in effect on new piers, buoys and moorings around the Tahoe Basin. After Jan. 17, TRPA will begin accepting applications for shore zone projects under rules in effect before the October 2008 adoption of the regulations now being litigated.
The League to Save Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Club sued over those regulations, which would have allowed 138 new piers, 1,862 new buoys and six new boat ramps.
Wendy Park, an Earthjustice attorney representing the two environmental groups, described Karlton's ruling at the time as a "very significant ruling for Lake Tahoe."
The new shoreline facilities, Park said, would have caused additional boating pollution and further diminished clarity of the landmark alpine lake.
The agency hopes to overturn a September decision by U.S. District Court Judge Lawrence K. Karlton that found TRPA failed to ensure protection of the lake's environment with new regulations on shoreline development, according to the Reno Gazette-Journal.
"We feel there is substantial case law that supports the analysis TRPA used" in preparing the regulations, said Nicole Rinke, the agency's general counsel. "The amendments were the result of a 20-plus-year stakeholder process and represent a reasonable approach to regulation of the shoreline."
While the appeal is pending, a freeze will remain in effect on new piers, buoys and moorings around the Tahoe Basin. After Jan. 17, TRPA will begin accepting applications for shore zone projects under rules in effect before the October 2008 adoption of the regulations now being litigated.
The League to Save Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Club sued over those regulations, which would have allowed 138 new piers, 1,862 new buoys and six new boat ramps.
Wendy Park, an Earthjustice attorney representing the two environmental groups, described Karlton's ruling at the time as a "very significant ruling for Lake Tahoe."
The new shoreline facilities, Park said, would have caused additional boating pollution and further diminished clarity of the landmark alpine lake.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Inspection program working
Watercraft inspection data and scientific reports continue to indicate that Lake Tahoe’s waters remain clear of invasive Quagga and Zebra mussels, which are considered major threats to Lake Tahoe and surrounding waterbodies.
Tahoe Resource Conservation District (Tahoe RCD) watercraft inspectors performed 8,000 inspections this boating season, and there were an additional 19,000 launches comprised of watercraft with intact Tahoe-issued inspection seals.
“We’re very happy with the watercraft inspection program thus far,” said Patrick Stone, TRPA’s Senior Wildlife and Fisheries Biologist and lead for early detection monitoring of invasive mussels. “Investigations conducted around Lake Tahoe, Fallen Leaf Lake and Echo Lake confirmed that Quagga and Zebra mussels have not established in our lakes. These results are a credit to the inspection program.”
Concern among local agencies remains high as more Western waterbodies have shown evidence of invasive mussels and other aquatic invaders. Waterbodies in California and Nevada known to be infected with invasive mussels include San Justo Reservoir, Lake Mead, Lake Havasu and the entire Colorado River system.
As watercraft continue to arrive from high risk waters, the importance of Lake Tahoe’s watercraft inspection program remains critical. Federal appropriations through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 2010 enabled the program to implement off-highway inspection stations. This created an opportunity to streamline inspection procedures and increase decontamination capacity.
2010 saw a dramatic increase in watercraft decontaminations, which doubled from approximately 600 in 2009 to 1,208 this year. Improved decontamination capacity at off-highway inspection locations allowed inspectors to be more thorough in treating high-risk watercraft. Additional improvements to inspection protocol allowed inspectors to increase prevention efforts by intercepting watercraft arriving from waters known to be infested with aquatic invasive mussels.
In total, 11 watercraft showing the presence of aquatic invasive species of concern were intercepted and decontaminated.
“It only takes one contaminated boat to introduce aquatic invasive species into Lake Tahoe,” said Tahoe RCD Biological Resources Program Manager Kim Boyd. “We need to remain vigilant and not let our guard down. We hope that by demonstrating the success of the watercraft inspection program for Lake Tahoe, the Tahoe RCD and its partners can create a model for prevention programs by sharing our resources and providing support. The TRPA, our key partner in invasive species prevention, continues to be instrumental in the success and evolution of this program.”
While the addition of convenient off-highway locations enabled boaters to receive their watercraft inspections and decontaminations when entering the Lake Tahoe Basin, marinas and boat launches continued to be the busiest locations for inspections in 2010.
Cave Rock saw the most inspections, followed by the Tahoe Keys Marina, Lake Forest Boat Launch, Meyers Inspection Station, Alpine Meadows Inspection Station and Sand Harbor. Off-highway inspection stations accounted for approximately 31 percent of all inspections performed during the 2010 boating season.
This year’s prevention efforts also included a more rigorous non-motorized watercraft inspection process at ramp facilities, U.S. Forest Service kiosks and Fallen Leaf Lake. Tahoe RCD inspectors surveyed more than 1,900 paddlers to assess the risk of transporting aquatic invasive species from previously visited water bodies. Paddlers also were educated about self-inspecting and decontaminating canoes, kayaks and paddleboards.
Planning for the 2011 season is under way with some improvements and changes that will better serve the boating community while still protecting the Lake. Current information on the boat inspection program, including hours of operation for boat launches and snow closures, is available at www.TahoeBoatInspections.com or by calling 888-824-6267.
Tahoe Resource Conservation District (Tahoe RCD) watercraft inspectors performed 8,000 inspections this boating season, and there were an additional 19,000 launches comprised of watercraft with intact Tahoe-issued inspection seals.
“We’re very happy with the watercraft inspection program thus far,” said Patrick Stone, TRPA’s Senior Wildlife and Fisheries Biologist and lead for early detection monitoring of invasive mussels. “Investigations conducted around Lake Tahoe, Fallen Leaf Lake and Echo Lake confirmed that Quagga and Zebra mussels have not established in our lakes. These results are a credit to the inspection program.”
Concern among local agencies remains high as more Western waterbodies have shown evidence of invasive mussels and other aquatic invaders. Waterbodies in California and Nevada known to be infected with invasive mussels include San Justo Reservoir, Lake Mead, Lake Havasu and the entire Colorado River system.
As watercraft continue to arrive from high risk waters, the importance of Lake Tahoe’s watercraft inspection program remains critical. Federal appropriations through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 2010 enabled the program to implement off-highway inspection stations. This created an opportunity to streamline inspection procedures and increase decontamination capacity.
2010 saw a dramatic increase in watercraft decontaminations, which doubled from approximately 600 in 2009 to 1,208 this year. Improved decontamination capacity at off-highway inspection locations allowed inspectors to be more thorough in treating high-risk watercraft. Additional improvements to inspection protocol allowed inspectors to increase prevention efforts by intercepting watercraft arriving from waters known to be infested with aquatic invasive mussels.
In total, 11 watercraft showing the presence of aquatic invasive species of concern were intercepted and decontaminated.
“It only takes one contaminated boat to introduce aquatic invasive species into Lake Tahoe,” said Tahoe RCD Biological Resources Program Manager Kim Boyd. “We need to remain vigilant and not let our guard down. We hope that by demonstrating the success of the watercraft inspection program for Lake Tahoe, the Tahoe RCD and its partners can create a model for prevention programs by sharing our resources and providing support. The TRPA, our key partner in invasive species prevention, continues to be instrumental in the success and evolution of this program.”
While the addition of convenient off-highway locations enabled boaters to receive their watercraft inspections and decontaminations when entering the Lake Tahoe Basin, marinas and boat launches continued to be the busiest locations for inspections in 2010.
Cave Rock saw the most inspections, followed by the Tahoe Keys Marina, Lake Forest Boat Launch, Meyers Inspection Station, Alpine Meadows Inspection Station and Sand Harbor. Off-highway inspection stations accounted for approximately 31 percent of all inspections performed during the 2010 boating season.
This year’s prevention efforts also included a more rigorous non-motorized watercraft inspection process at ramp facilities, U.S. Forest Service kiosks and Fallen Leaf Lake. Tahoe RCD inspectors surveyed more than 1,900 paddlers to assess the risk of transporting aquatic invasive species from previously visited water bodies. Paddlers also were educated about self-inspecting and decontaminating canoes, kayaks and paddleboards.
Planning for the 2011 season is under way with some improvements and changes that will better serve the boating community while still protecting the Lake. Current information on the boat inspection program, including hours of operation for boat launches and snow closures, is available at www.TahoeBoatInspections.com or by calling 888-824-6267.
Martime Museum members tour
Award-winning boat builder Tony Brown and Sabina Pellissier invite Tahoe Maritime Museum mebers to tour their workshop and view the current restoration of "Miss Tahoe" in progress on Jan. 22 from 1 to 3 p.m.
Mark your calendar and join the Museum for this special afternoon for all members. Light refreshments will be served. The workshop is located in Auburn. Space is limited, so please RSVP. For more information or to RSVP, call (530) 525-9253 or e-mail events@tahoemaritimemuseum.org.
Mark your calendar and join the Museum for this special afternoon for all members. Light refreshments will be served. The workshop is located in Auburn. Space is limited, so please RSVP. For more information or to RSVP, call (530) 525-9253 or e-mail events@tahoemaritimemuseum.org.
New director for maritime museum
The Tahoe Maritime Museum Board of Directors announces the appointment of Jesse Siess Hadley as the Museum's new Executive Director, effective Jan. 1.
Jesse was previously the Executive Director of the Coachella Valley Historical Society in Indio, Calif. "The Board believes that Jesse brings the professional museum experience necessary to continue the Tahoe Maritime Museum's development as a World Class institution," according to a release.
Jesse was previously the Executive Director of the Coachella Valley Historical Society in Indio, Calif. "The Board believes that Jesse brings the professional museum experience necessary to continue the Tahoe Maritime Museum's development as a World Class institution," according to a release.
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