News
Milfoil removal Project
LAKE TAHOE AQUATIC WEED REMOVAL OCCURING IN EMERALD BAY
Boaters to expect buoy restrictions
The Tahoe Resource Conservation District, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and California State Parks will be conducting aquatic weed removal this summer in Emerald Bay and other small sites along the near shore of Lake Tahoe.
Starting in May in Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe boaters should be prepared to avoid a small area roped off with buoys and signs that will restrict access where bottom barriers are being placed to kill Eurasian watermilfoil. “This small closed area will have minimal affect on recreational boaters that boat into Emerald Bay at Emerald Bay State Park. We are asking for the boating community’s cooperation by honoring the closed area and thereby helping us get rid of this invasive weed,” stated Tamara Sasaki, Senior Environmental Scientist for California State Parks
“We will use two methods, bottom barriers and diver assisted hand removal, to control existing populations of invasive Eurasian watermilfoil and Curlyleaf pondweed” said Nicole Cartwright, Tahoe Resource Conservation District.
The removal of aquatic weeds has been occurring in Emerald Bay and Lake Tahoe since the summer of 2007, with this being the first year with restricted boating use in project areas. “The effects of these removal methods have been proven to be very successful” said Rita Whitney, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency
Eurasian watermilfoil populations in the lake are documented as far back as 1986. The population has expanded drastically along the near-shore creating warm water environments. Curlyleaf pondweed was first found in 2003, and is showing signs of competing with the milfoil and spreading at an even faster rate. In 2007 the Lake Tahoe Aquatic Invasive Species Working Group (LTAISWG) prioritized Tahoe’s invasive species and removal projects. The LTAISWG has been dedicated to protecting the Lake Tahoe Basin from aquatic invasive species by education, research, prevention, early detection, rapid response, and control.
For more information, please call the Lake Tahoe Aquatic Nuisance Species Hotline, 1-888-TAHO-ANS.