Meyers Permanent Aquatic Invasive Species Inspection Station

Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and the Tahoe Resource Conservation District are working together to meet the long-term needs of the Lake Tahoe Aquatic Invasive Species Program by securing permanent locations for watercraft inspection stations around the lake. These agencies are collaborating with El Dorado County and the California Tahoe Conservancy to pursue a permanent home for the watercraft inspection station in Meyers, California where approximately 2,000 boats are inspected every year to protect Lake Tahoe from aquatic invaders.

Protection from the Latest Threat

Following the discovery of invasive golden mussels in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta in 2024, the watercraft inspection program strengthened protections and enacted mandatory decontaminations for all visiting motorized watercraft. This critical change increased demand for time and resources at inspection stations. A permanent station will help meet inspection and decontamination requirements necessary to protect Lake Tahoe from invasive golden mussels and other emerging threats.

Building on Program Success

With the discovery of quagga mussels in Lake Mead in 2007, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) took quick and decisive actions to protect Lake Tahoe from new devasting aquatic invasive species and implemented a mandatory watercraft inspection program. Lake Tahoe’s program serves as a national model, incorporating protective protocols based on science, paired with exceptional customer service. Other programs nationwide mimic the Lake Tahoe program.

Watercraft are one of the leading vectors for spreading aquatic invasive species (AIS) into new waterways. AIS negatively impact aesthetics, recreation, the economy, native, sport and local species, and water quality and can increase algae growth that contributes to the decline of Lake Tahoe’s famous water clarity. Mandatory inspections stop aquatic invasive species before they enter the water.

Since the watercraft inspection program began in 2008, more than 118,000 vessels have been inspected at seasonal inspection stations around Lake Tahoe to help boaters get on the water safely and efficiently. There are typically three stations operating near key basin entry points during the boating season, with the Meyers station serving the southern portion of the Tahoe Basin.

This project is part of the Lake Tahoe Environmental Improvement Program (EIP). Visit the EIP Project Page for additional details.

Proposed Permanent Location

The existing, leased location at 2175 Keetak Street has little capacity for waiting boaters, which results 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. The site provides the opportunity for better facilities for watercraft inspectors and the public: it has queuing space for at least 14 boats, which essentially eliminates the potential for clogging public roadways. It’s significantly safer for inspectors and the public as inspections would not need to occur on the roadway, and reduces the work needed for annual setup and breakdown. A permanent facility also provides the opportunity for onsite workforce housing for watercraft inspectors in summer and snow removal staff in winter.

FAQ

Why does the Meyers watercraft inspection station need a new home?
Watercraft inspections are proven to be extremely effective in preventing the introduction of new aquatic invasive species (AIS), such as quagga mussels, into Lake Tahoe. This reduces the threat of devasting impacts from AIS to the Lake Tahoe Region. Permanent inspection stations have been a priority for the AIS Program since its inception in 2008. The current Meyers Inspection Station is a temporary location that requires seasonal setup and breakdown and does not afford the necessary queuing space needed to perform watercraft inspections safely onsite. Staff are forced to frequently conduct inspections on the public roadway at Cebo Circle and Keetak Street. Lastly, the current location is rented space on private land that does not provide long-term reliability or stability for station operations.
Why now?
In 2021, the AIS Program and Tahoe Regional Planning Agency were fortunate to receive funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help make permanent locations a reality. The AIS Program is one of only a handful of natural resource focused programs across the country that received this funding. In addition, the California Tahoe Conservancy, through its Asset Land Program, has appropriate land available for development that meets the needs of the program.
Why must it be on publicly owned parcels?
The current location is on private property rented by TRPA which poses challenges for several reasons. Private property could change hands in the future, putting the program and lake at risk of losing a location to conduct critical watercraft inspections. Additionally, TRPA is not able to own property other than its main place of business nor can the available funding be used to purchase property.  Lastly, operating on or renting private property may not allow program partners to make necessary improvements and modifications to the site over time, such as adapting equipment to address emerging boat technologies, innovations in decontamination, or repairs in a timely fashion.
Why is the proposed site ideal?
The proposed site is located directly across from the current location at the corner of Highway 50 and 89 and includes four California Tahoe Conservancy asset lands parcels. At the current temporary site, work often occurs in public roadways during busy periods due to site constraints and inadequate site capacity. There is no pass-through lane, so some boats must back out of the site or wait for decontaminations to be completed to leave.

The proposed location would provide a safer space for inspectors to work and the public to visit. For example, the proposed site is designed for approximately 14 tow vehicles and trailers to fit on-site, while the current site has room for only three. The capacity to queue onsite significantly reduces any potential for traffic backups or user conflicts on the public roadways.

The proposed site can also accommodate the necessary infrastructure to meet the needs of the AIS program, including a permanent office building and restrooms. It will be intentionally built to expedite operations and increase safety, while limiting noise, traffic, and visual impacts. The proposed site will also give program partners the potential space and flexibility that may be needed to upgrade inspection and decontamination equipment more readily as boat technology advances.

Other public lands in the area either do not meet site criteria or are unavailable.

Why not conduct inspections at boat ramps?
When the Watercraft Inspection Program began in 2008, inspections and decontaminations were conducted at launch facilities which created significant delays, confusion, and unsafe conditions. Launch facilities do not have the necessary space to allow for safe and effective inspections and decontaminations, nor the space to launch watercraft safely and efficiently.  Inspection stations located strategically at entry points into the basin have shown to be a good model. By focusing inspections at specific sites the program can keep prices lower for users and reduce in-town traffic flow. The proximity to the lake at launch ramps also creates concerns about accidental introductions – all the inspection stations are well away from the lakeshore.
Does the watercraft inspection station align with the Meyers Area Plan?
Yes, the proposed station does align with the Meyers Area Plan. The four Conservancy asset lands where the permanent station is proposed to be located are zoned “Recreation”, which allows for various types of recreational uses. This includes employee housing related to the allowed recreational use and public services (with a conditional use permit). More specifically, the proposed project could fall under either the “Local Public Health and Safety Facility” or “Outdoor Recreation Concessions” (Meyers Area Plan, pages 2-13 and Attachment B: B-9, B-13).
What is the timeline for the proposed project?

Why is workforce housing being considered in site design?
Half of Tahoe’s workforce lives outside of the Tahoe Basin, increasing traffic and vehicle emissions and impacting community character and quality of life. The limited availability of housing for critical seasonal workers to perform important services for the community is a growing challenge and often a factor when trying to hire qualified staff. Each season, potential staff decline offers of employment because they cannot find reasonable housing options. This site could provide housing for essential staff such as watercraft inspectors and snow removal staff or contractors.
How do I stay updated?
News and updates on the project will be shared here as they arise.

If you would like to receive emails with updates from TRPA on this project, please enter your information and sign-up for those updates HERE. You may submit comments or questions at meyersais@trpa.gov.

Project Timeline

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Public Workshops

Watch the recording or view the slides of the 10/14/24 hybrid public meeting.

Questions?

Email Dennis Zabaglo, AIS Program Manager at Tahoe Regional Planning Agency or Thea Graybill, Acting Planning Manager for El Dorado County:
meyersais@trpa.gov