Tahoe Boat Inspections Move Back to Launch Ramps for Fall and Winter

By Peter Brumis
Beginning Oct. 1, Tahoe boat inspections will move to select launch ramps and winter hours will begin. Tahoe Resource ConservatioN District inspectors will do inspections and decontaminations at Cave Rock and Lake Forest boat launches from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. seven days a week, and inspections only (no decontaminations) are available at Sand Harbor, Thursday through Monday from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Boats with attached wire seals and valid Tahoe inspection stickers will be permitted to launch during these times, but any new inspections and decontaminations are required to take place during daylight hours. Boats with intact seals will still be permitted to launch at Obexer’s and Tahoe Keys Marina, but no inspections or decontaminations will take place at these locations.

“It is more efficient to move inspections back to the boat ramps with the decrease in boater traffic during the slower fall and winter months,” said Ted Thayer, Aquatic Invasive Species Program Manager at TRPA, “but we expect to continue operations of roadside inspection locations for the 2012 summer boating season. We appreciate the continued cooperation from Lake Tahoe boaters in helping to protect our amazing recreational resources from the growing threat of aquatic invasive species.”

Inspection and boat ramp hours are weather permitting, and may close during winter storm conditions. Boaters are encouraged to arrive Clean, Drained and Dry and to confirm hours and inspection locations online at TahoeBoatInspections.com or by calling the Tahoe Boat Inspection Hotline at (888) 824-6267. Private launch facilities should be contacted directly for hours and closures.

— Writer Peter Brumis is the Public Outreach Specialist for the Tahoe Resource Conservation District. He can be reached at pbrumis@tahoercd.org.