Watercraft inspection stations opening this weekend in Tahoe

To improve boater services at Lake Tahoe this year, seasonal watercraft inspection stations will open Memorial Day weekend at four designated, roadside locations around Lake Tahoe.

Access to roadside inspection stations are designed increase efficiency at Lake Tahoe boat ramps and increase access to aquatic invasive species decontamination equipment, according to watercraft inspectors.

Boating inspections are changing at Lake Tahoe this summer.

Four roadside inspection stations will be soon opening around the Tahoe Region:

* Alpine Meadows Ski Resort; off Highway 89 on Alpine Meadows Road at the Deer Park parking lot.

* Northstar at Tahoe Resort; off Highway 267 on Northstar Drive at the Castle Peak parking lot.

* Meyers; 2128 Keetak St., near the intersection of highways 89 and 50.

* Spooner Summit; at the intersection of highways 28 and 50. Only vessels less than 26 feet can be accommodated at the Spooner location. Larger vessels can proceed to launch sites.

Signage along the roadways will alert drivers with trailer and car-top vessels of the location of the station so they can avoid waiting in line for an inspection at a boat ramp or marina. The roadside stations are expected to operate from 6am to 8pm daily through the summer boating season. Watercraft inspections and certifications will also continue to be available at all open public and private launch facilities.

“We appreciate the efforts of all boaters to clean, drain and dry their vessels before launching in Tahoe and want to be sure the inspections are convenient and efficient for them,” Tahoe Resource Conservation District Watercraft Inspection Program Coordinator Nicole Cartwright said in a statement. “Roadside inspection locations are crucial to protecting Lake Tahoe from invasive species while improving services.”

Sites have been selected and are being operated in consideration of the surrounding neighborhoods. Noise and parking are being managed by trained inspectors and managers to reduce impacts to nearby communities.

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, in cooperation with the Tahoe Resource Conservation District, is aggressively working to protect Lake Tahoe from the threat of aquatic invasive species. TRPA cooperatively leads the effort to preserve, restore, and enhance the unique natural and human environment of the Lake Tahoe Region now and in the future. For additional information, call Jeff Cowen at (775) 589.5278 or send an email to jcowen@trpa.org.