Making Waves: TRPA Fines Boater $5,000

“The boater is the first to be sanctioned by the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency.”

By Katherine E. Hill

A Los Angeles resident was fined $5,000 by the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency on Aug. 25 for evading Lake Tahoe boat inspectors in late-June, according to news reports.

In a unanimous decision, TRPA’s legal committee agreed to the fine and recommended that Mark Kanev of Los Angeles make a public apology for purposefully evading inspectors after his vessel was recommended for decontamination.

Tahoe Regional Planning Agency officials reported that Kanew tried to launch his vessel on June 28 at Cave Rock. Inspectors turned him away after he told inspectors that the boat had been in southern Utah's quagga-mussel-infested Sand Hollow Reservoir. After finding water in the boat, inspectors ordered a full decontamination scheduled for July 1.

Inspectors later learned that Kanew took the vessel to the Meyers inspection station on June 28 and gave different information about the boat's origin. Kanev then launched his boat at Meeks Bay. TRPA officials found the vessel moored in Rubicon Bay on July 1 and had it removed from Lake Tahoe.

The TRPA reported that the water in Meeks Bay Marina and the area the boat had been moored was tested for quagga and zebra mussel DNA. The tests indicated that no quagga or zebra mussels were present. The boater is the first to be sanctioned by the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency.

Invasive species forum
The Truckee Regional Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Program is the topic of a Sept. 3 meeting to gather input for a draft strategic plan. The plan will recommend required mandatory inspections of all motorized watercraft on Donner Lake and Boca, Stampede and Prosser Creek reservoirs beginning as early as next summer. The forum is at 7:30 p.m. at the Truckee Community Center. A draft plan could be ready as early as late fall, according to Craig Threshie, program coordinator. For more information, call Threshie at (530) 550-5252 or e-mail cthreshie@tahoercd.org.

Water shuttle shutters
Get On Tahoe, the water shuttle started earlier this summer by the Tahoe Diver’s Conservancy, has shuttered its service due to lack of interest. The Tahoe Diver’s Conservancy reported that it had to stop service after low ticket sales and a lack of access to marinas and docks around the Lake. The shuttle offered service on the North and East shores.

Roadside inspections to close
The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency will close two of its roadside boat inspection stations in early to mid-September, according to community liaison Jeff Cowen. Roadside inspection and decontamination stations are been operating throughout the summer with four stations at Spooner Summit, Northstar, Alpine Meadows and Meyers.

The stations were set up for the mandatory inspections of quagga and zebra mussels for all vessels into Lake Tahoe. The invasive quagga and zebra species are miniscule, but can wreak havoc on the Lake if they are introduced. These mussels, which are hitching rides on boats and trailers and in ballast tanks, bladders and live wells, are spreading across the West. Quagga and zebra mussels will spread rapidly once they are introduced to a lake and will gorge on the food supply, kill fish and pollute the clarity of the lake.

The Spooner Summit station on Highway 50 will operate until Sept. 7, with the Alpine Meadows Road station off Highway 89 closing Sept. 15. Roadside stations at Northstar and in Meyers will operate until Sept. 30. The stations are open daily from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

However, mandatory inspections will continue through the winter at all open launch sites. The addition of roadside inspection stations to the Lake Tahoe AIS Program have been funded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For details on the mandatory boat inspections, visit www.protecttahoe.org or call (888) 824-6267.

Lecture series, open house
The Tahoe Maritime Museums wraps its summer lecture series on Sept. 9 with “Preserving Tahoe History Through a Camera Lens” with Peter Goin, University of Nevada Regents and Foundation Professor of Arts. The lecture starts at 5:30 p.m. with light refreshments at 5 p.m. The cost is $8 for adults and free for children under 12.

The museum also will open the doors to its massive Truckee Annex on Sept. 11. The annex is only open a few times a year for public viewing of the museum’s extensive collection. David “Smitty” Smith will be leading tours. The annex will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $5 and free for children under 12. The annex is located at 10434 River Park Place in Truckee. For details, visit www.tahoemaritimemusuem.org or call (530) 525-9253.

Staff changes at museum
The departure of Heather Leonard, director of operations, this month from the Tahoe Maritime Museum will bring some staff changes to the museum. Heather, who was been a valued addition to the museum and the community, will be relocating with her husband to Houston later this month.

While the museum looks for a permanent director, Richard Lashbrook, a long-time Friend of the Museum, volunteer and member since 2001 will take the helm as Interim Director.

Patty Williams has joined the staff as development associate, and Heather Laederich, a part-time summer staff associate, has accepted a full-time role as exhibits associate.

Fall Paddle Day
The Lake Tahoe Water Trail Committee has set its Fall Paddle Day for Oct. 9 at Zephyr Cove Lodge. The spring paddle in May was snowed out, but you can enjoy the fall paddle. The day includes a guided paddle with researchers at the forefront of protecting Lake Tahoe from aquatic invasive species, followed by a barbecue lunch on the beach. The cost is $30 per person and $50 per couple and includes lunch; water trail members save $5. Kayak rentals will be available on site and advance registration is required. Registration opens online on Sept. 9 at www.laketahoewatertrail.org.

Katherine E. Hill may be reached at editor@tahoethisweek.com or visit www.tahoeboating.blogspot.com.