Lake Tahoe boat inspection program temporarily halted in response to COVID-19

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - Watercraft inspections to prevent the introduction of aquatic invasive species (AIS) in Lake Tahoe have halted until at least April 16 in response to Nevada and California Executive Orders on COVID-19, according to the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and the Tahoe Resource Conservation District. Watercraft inspection stations, as well as the boat ramps at Cave Rock, Nevada and Tahoe City, California, will remain closed until it is deemed safe for personnel to return to work, they said.

“During these unprecedented times it’s important that we keep our staff and community safe and avoid all non-essential interactions,” Tahoe Regional Planning Agency Executive Director Joanne S. Marchetta said. “We will continue to monitor the protocols coming from the states and health agencies in the hopes of putting the inspectors back to work as soon as it is safe.”

Invasive species can have devastating environmental and economic impacts on industries, communities, and native species populations. Watercraft are the largest source for spreading aquatic invasive species into new waterways. Under the watercraft inspection program, every motorized watercraft is inspected to ensure it is Clean, Drained, and Dry and not carrying AIS before launching at Lake Tahoe. Thanks to the diligence of boaters and inspectors, no new aquatic invasive species have been detected in Lake Tahoe since the program launched in 2008.

Boaters should continue to check www.TahoeBoatInspections.com for new information as it becomes available or call 888-824-6267.