By Cathy Locke, Sacramento Bee

Boats and other watercraft will be subject to inspections before launching in Donner Lake under a Truckee town ordinance intended to protect the lake and other local bodies of water from invasive species.

If established in local waters, invasive species such as quagga mussels and Eurasian watermilfoil could degrade aquatic ecosystems, inhibit recreation, damage infrastructure and equipment, and cause depreciation of property values, according to a town news release.

The new ordinance requires that motorized and/or trailered watercraft be inspected before launching in Donner Lake, as well as other water bodies within town limits.

For more information, call Teresa Crimmens of the Tahoe Resource Conservation District at (530) 587.4911, or email tcrimmens@tahoercd.org.