Tahoe RCD gains funding to continue invasive species protection

By Peter Brumis
The Truckee River Fund has awarded $267,267 to the Tahoe Resource Conservation District to protect Truckee area waterbodies from the growing threat posed by aquatic invasive species. The money will also be used for continued implementation of a mandatory watercraft inspection program and the establishment of a stakeholder collaborative to fund a long-term, sustainable aquatic invasive species prevention program for the Truckee area.
Entering its third year of managing the Truckee Regional Aquatic Invasive Species Protection Program (TRAISPP), the Tahoe RCD will continue to conduct watercraft inspections and develop and refine a comprehensive AIS education and outreach plan for the Truckee River watershed. Funding will also be utilized for early detection monitoring of AIS, an essential component of prevention programs.

“Through a series of public meetings and stakeholder input, community members and agency representatives have asked the Tahoe RCD to work towards a mandatory boat inspection program, similar to the program in Lake Tahoe,” said Kim Boyd, Biological Resources Program Manager at Tahoe RCD. “By studying boater usage patterns, we can conclude that Truckee area waterbodies are at risk for AIS introduction, especially with the recent quagga mussel infestation at Lahontan Reservoir, just a short drive away in Northern Nevada. A major concern is that these waterbodies could become a pathway for spreading AIS throughout California and the region.”
Tahoe RCD and the Truckee River Watershed Council will be meeting with decision makers in the coming weeks to develop an ordinance for mandatory boat inspections in the Truckee area. Therefore, boaters may see changes to the inspection process at Donner Lake and Stampede, Boca and Prosser Reservoirs.
“We are thrilled with the progress of the Truckee AIS program over the last 2 years,” said Mike Mamola, TRAISPP Program Coordinator, “but we are still seeking input and support from the community and a broad coalition of Truckee area stakeholders to help ensure the long term success of the program and to help safeguard Truckee’s natural environment and economy.”
Invasive species resources for the Truckee area and contact information for public input can be found at TruckeeBoatInspections.com.

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