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

On October 1, boat inspections will move to select launch ramps and winter hours will begin. Tahoe RCD (Resource Conservation District) inspectors will be stationed at Cave Rock and Lake Forest boat launches from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. seven days a week, weather permitting. Boats with attached Lake Tahoe wire inspection seals and valid Tahoe inspection stickers will be permitted to launch during these times, but any unsealed boats are required to get an inspection during daylight hours. Decontaminations will be available through the month of October for watercraft that are not “Clean, Drain and Dry”. Decontamination fees apply. Boats with intact inspection seals will still be permitted to launch at Sand Harbor, Obexer’s and Tahoe Keys Marina, but no inspections or decontaminations are available 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 Dennis Zabaglo, Aquatic Invasive Species Program Coordinator at the TRPA, “but we expect to continue operations at roadside inspection locations for the 2014 summer boating season. We appreciate the continued cooperation from Tahoe boaters in helping to protect our amazing recreational resources from the threat of aquatic invasive species and supporting our nationally recognized prevention program.”

Inspection and boat ramp hours are weather permitting, and may be delayed or closed during winter storm conditions. Boaters are encouraged to arrive “Clean, Drain and Dry” and to confirm hours and inspection locations online at TahoeBoatInspections.com or by calling the Tahoe Boat Inspection hotline toll-free at 888-824-6267. Private launch facilities should be contacted directly for winter hours and weather closures. Please log on to TahoeBoatInspections.com and provide comments, feedback and fill out our survey online to help us improve your boating experience next year!

About the Lake Tahoe Watercraft Inspection Program

The Watercraft Inspection Program is part of the Lake Tahoe Aquatic Invasive Species Coordination Committee which is implemented by 40 public and private partner organizations including federal, state and local jurisdictions, research partners, public utility districts, and private marinas, with major funding from the US Fish & Wildlife Service. The state, federal and local agencies comprising the Lake Tahoe Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinating Committee have provided leadership, direction and resources to fulfill this program’s mission of prevention, detection and control of aquatic invasive species in the Lake Tahoe Region.

The Tahoe Resource Conservation District’s (Tahoe RCD) mission is to promote the conservation and improvement of the Lake Tahoe Basin ’s soil, water and related natural resources by providing leadership, information, programs, and technical assistance to all land managers, owners, organizations, and residents. The Tahoe RCD is a non-regulatory, grant funded, public agency that works with a variety of partner agencies to implement projects, programs and outreach which currently focus on erosion control, runoff infiltration, terrestrial and aquatic invasive species control, and con