Lake Tahoe Aquatic Invasive Species Public Forum Nov. 16 at Kings Beach

By Peter Brumis
The Lake Tahoe Aquatic Invasive Species Coordination Committee will host a free public forum on November 16th from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at the North Tahoe Events Center, located at 8318 North Lake Boulevard in Kings Beach.
Brief presentations will feature aquatic invasive species (AIS) prevention, control and monitoring projects in the Lake Tahoe Basin and Truckee area. The public is encouraged to attend and learn more about the Lake Tahoe and Truckee watercraft inspection programs, aquatic invasive plant and Asian clam control efforts, the Tahoe Keepers self-inspection program for paddlers, as well as national and regional AIS prevention and control efforts. The evening will begin with at 5:00 pm with a 30-minute networking session overlooking Lake Tahoe and will conclude with a question and answer period. Light refreshments will be served.

“A great deal of collaboration, hard work and funding goes into protecting Lake Tahoe and nearby waterbodies,” said Steve Chilton, Lake Tahoe and Northern Nevada’s Aquatic Nuisance Species Coordinator for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. “This forum is a chance for the public to learn about what’s happening on the ground, ask questions and deliver important feedback.”

In addition to summarizing activities and accomplishments in 2011, presenters will highlight future plans and opportunities for invasive species control and prevention efforts for Lake Tahoe and Truckee area waterbodies. Lake Tahoe and Truckee area residents and boaters are urged to attend and submit feedback regarding the future of the Truckee Boat Inspection Program, which is currently a voluntary program operated by the Tahoe Resource Conservation District, but may become a mandatory inspection program in the near future.
Portions of the AIS Fall Forum will be videotaped and available online after the event. Visit TahoeBoatInspections.com or follow @TahoeBoating on Twitter for updates and details.

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