MEYERS, Calif. – The community is invited to attend an open house on May 4 to learn about and provide input on the proposed watercraft inspection station in Meyers, Calif. Partner agencies committed to protecting Lake Tahoe from aquatic invasive species (AIS) are proposing to relocate the watercraft inspection station near South Lake Tahoe to a permanent location.
A public draft environmental analysis for the project is expected to be available for review and comment on April 15, 2026, at TahoeBoatInspections.com/Meyers.
The existing, leased location at 2175 Keetak Street has little capacity for waiting boaters, resulting in queuing boats on public roadways and unsafe conditions for watercraft inspectors and the public. The current location also requires seasonal setup and breakdown.
The proposed new location is on four California Tahoe Conservancy asset land parcels on Pomo Street near the junction of State Route 89 and U.S. Highway 50. A permanent facility also provides the opportunity for on-site workforce housing for watercraft inspectors in summer and snow removal staff in winter.
Approximately 2,000 boats are inspected each year at the existing boat inspection area in Meyers to ensure vessels are “Clean, Drained, and Dry.” The mandatory inspection and decontamination process prevents harmful invasive species, such as quagga, zebra, and golden mussels, from damaging Lake Tahoe’s water quality, native habitat, and recreation experience.
Since 2008, when the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and Tahoe Resource Conservation District launched the first mandatory boat inspection program in the nation, highly trained staff have inspected more than 120,000 boats at a few, largely temporary inspection stations located around the region. Building stations at permanent locations around the lake is a key goal of the Lake Tahoe AIS Program.
Community participation is an important part of the planning process for the proposed project in Meyers. Interested community members and stakeholders are encouraged to attend and share their feedback.
Public Meeting Details:
When: Monday, May 4, 2026, 5:30 – 7 p.m. (open house format)
Where: Lake Valley Fire Protection District Station, 2211 Keetak Street, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
What: At the meeting, attendees will have the opportunity to:
- Learn about the purpose, scope, and design of the proposed project
- Review findings from the public draft environmental document
- Ask questions and engage with the partner agencies
- Provide public comments that will help inform the final draft environmental document
Who: Staff from El Dorado County Tahoe Planning and Building Division, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, Tahoe Resource Conservation District, and California Tahoe Conservancy will be available.
The public draft environmental document evaluates potential environmental impacts associated with the project and identifies measures to avoid or reduce those impacts. The document will be accessible on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, online and at the El Dorado County Planning and Building Department, Tahoe Planning and Building Division, 924 B Emerald Bay Road, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150.
Public comments on the draft environmental document will be accepted through May 15.
About the Watercraft Inspection Program
Every motorized vessel, including e-foils, must be inspected at a watercraft inspection station or certified as a Tahoe Only vessel before entering the waters of the Lake Tahoe Region. Additional inspection requirements exist for Fallen Leaf Lake and Echo Lakes. The Lake Tahoe Watercraft Inspection Program has intercepted hundreds of potential invaders that can harm Lake Tahoe’s ecosystem and the clarity of its waters. AIS can also impact the region’s recreation and communities. Invasive species typically do not have predators and can outcompete native species. Once introduced, they can be impossible to eradicate.
Paddlers, anglers, and beachgoers can learn how to stop the spread of AIS by becoming a Tahoe Keeper. Visit tahoeboatinspections.com for more information.
