Boat inspections starting in Truckee area

The Tahoe Resource Conservation District will again manage the Truckee Area Watercraft Inspection Program for 2011.

Entering its second season, Truckee area inspections and boater education on aquatic invasive species will take place at Donner Lake and Boca, Prosser, and Stampede reservoirs from April 30 through Sept. 30. Current funding for Truckee Area watercraft inspections and outreach has been provided by the Truckee River Fund.

Inspections are voluntary, but highly recommended to avoid the spread of AIS, such as quagga and zebra mussels, New Zealand mudsnails and aquatic invasive plants, which pose a significant threat to Truckee/Tahoe area water bodies and the local economy. Free decontaminations will be available for high-risk vessels wishing to launch at Truckee area water bodies at the Alpine Meadows Transportation Station parking lot off Highway 89 and Northstar-at-Tahoe Castle Peak parking lot off Highway 267.

During 2010, Tahoe RCD inspectors logged more than 7,400 Truckee area boater interactions, including inspections and opportunities for boater education on AIS. Boater surveys completed during 2010 inspections indicated that 85 percent agree inspections are an important component in stopping the spread of aquatic invasive species.

To better serve the Truckee area and facilitate AIS prevention efforts, Tahoe RCD has opened a new office in the Tin Can Building in Truckee, located at 10116 Jibboom St. For more information, program updates and announcements go online or contact David Kean at (530) 587.4911.