LAKEPORT ? Boats from outside Lake County may have to get 30-day color-coded bands in order to launch at Clear Lake next year if representatives approve recommendations to be made by the Invasive Species Committee.
In an effort to stop quagga and zebra mussels from spreading to Lake County waters, the committee worked on procedures Thursday at the County Courthouse in Lakeport. Greg Giusti, University of California adviser, said the committee aims to have a recommendation for the Lake County Board of Supervisors that can be implemented in January. Quagga and zebra mussels kill off native species, damage boats and piers and can block waterways used for agriculture and drinking water. The mussels are also difficult to eradicate.
“It will cost millions of dollars to save the lake once it”s infested,” Keith Ahart of Golden State Water Company said.
The committee of about 15 people included volunteers, bass fishermen, and representatives from the Department of Fish & Game, the Lakeport City Council, the Board of Supervisors, Big Valley Rancheria, the Sierra Club, the Lake County Chamber of Commerce and more.
Committee members agreed that people with boats registered in Lake County should still be allowed a sticker after inspection. But out-of-county vessels will need concert-style neon wristbands attached to the trailer eye, which are color-coded for every month. Boats registered outside Lake County will have to get inspected every month in an attempt to stop them from bringing invasive species back to contaminate area water, Giusti said.
Selling monthly bands may also help increase revenue to enforce and educate about the project, Giusti said.
The committee also decided screeners who give out bands and stickers should have a chain of command of inspectors they can call if someone has a dirty or infested boat.
Giusti stressed the county needs to work in coordination with the cities of Lakeport and Clearlake so they can enforce the same regulations where the county has little jurisdiction, he said.
“This whole system goes down the tube if Clearlake doesn”t enforce,” Record-Bee outdoor writer Terry Knight said.
The committee plans to meet next at 9:30 a.m. Dec. 3 at the County Courthouse.
Committee members said most people were compliant with regulations to protect waterways and their vessels.
“Some of these guys are pretty anal about their $70,000 boats,” Giusti said.
Contact Katy Sweeny at ksweeny@record-bee.com or call her directly at 263-5636 ext. 37.
