Lake Tahoe, CA/NV — Beginning October 1st, watercraft inspections for the detection and prevention of aquatic invasive species (AIS) will change locations and shift to a first-come, first-served basis, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) and the Tahoe Resource Conservation District (Tahoe RCD) announced today.

With this shift back to on-demand inspections, the agencies are closing out the inspection appointment system initiated this year to lower the risk of COVID-19 spread.

October 1 through 19:

  • AIS inspections and decontaminations will continue to be available at the Meyers, Calif. station Thursday through Monday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Inspections will also be available at the Lake Forest boat ramp in Tahoe City, Calif., and at the Cave Rock-Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park boat ramp in Glenbrook, Nev. from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily during daylight hours.
  • Boats that require a decontamination will be sent to the Meyers location.
  • All wakeboard boats with ballast tank systems will need additional time to undergo mandatory decontamination and should plan to go to the Meyers location where those services are offered.

Beginning October 20:

  • Inspections will be available only at the Lake Forest and Cave Rock boat ramps.

TRPA and Tahoe RCD remind boaters to arrive at inspection locations Clean, Drained, and Dry to reduce the risk of spreading AIS and to help speed the process.

Despite travel restrictions and a global pandemic, the AIS inspection program served record numbers of boaters this year and stopped more boats carrying invasive mussel species than last year. Thanks to highly trained staff, 20 motorized watercraft with invasive mussels on board were intercepted and decontaminated so far this year, up from 11 in 2019, the agencies said.

Click here for information watercraft inspection locations and hours of operation.

The Lake Tahoe Aquatic Invasive Species Program is implemented by 40 public and private partner organizations, including federal, state, and local jurisdictions, research partners, public utility districts, and private marinas. The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and the Tahoe Resource Conservation District lead the program in collaboration with the public and private partners. The program’s mission is to prevent, detect, and control aquatic invasive species in the Region so that future generations can enjoy Lake Tahoe. For additional information, contact Jeff Cowen, TRPA Public Information Officer, at 775-589-5278.