News
Boat Inspection Fees
Beginning in June, boaters launching at Lake Tahoe will pay a nominal fee to help fund an inspection program aimed at preventing the introduction of such aquatic invasive species as the quagga and zebra mussel. The fee, which was authorized March 25 by the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency Governing Board, is need because grant funding that has been used to finance the inspections is running out. Inspections will expand for the summer season May 1 while fees will take effect June 1. This will give local boaters the opportunity to have their vessels inspected free of charge; boats that stay in Tahoe need only to be inspected once if an inspection seal is kept intact. Inspections began at Tahoe ramps and launch facilities last May. Since November, boaters have been able to launch only at facilities where qualifies inspectors are present.
Fees will range from $10 to $60 depending on vessel size. Most boaters will pay $30. A $10 surcharge will apply for vessels with ballast tanks, live wells and bladders. When a vessel comes out of the Lake, an inspection seal will be attached to boats so that they do not have to be inspected or pay a fee again as long as the boat returns with the seal intact. This method will save boaters time and money at the boat ramps.
Boat inspection fees to protect water bodies from aquatic invaders are not unique to Lake Tahoe. Other water bodies in the West have begun charging for boat inspections as well. All watercraft launched at Tahoe are subject to inspection and decontamination. Further, launch facilities and ramps must be closed when qualified inspectors are not present.
The fees and the inspection and decontamination program that they support were developed in the face of mounting concern that Lake Tahoe is at risk of invasion from the quagga and zebra mussel, New Zealand mud snail and other species. While other invasive and non-native plants, invertebrates and fishes are already in the Lake, these mollusks have the potential to unleash serious environmental and economic harm. They are carried between water bodies via watercraft that are not adequately cleaned, drained and dried.
Up-to-date information on boating rules including the inspection requirement and launch facility details are available by phone at 1-888-TAHO-ANS and online web at www.protecttahoe.org.