LAKE COUNTY — Significant changes with the county ordinance requiring boaters to have vessels screened for the invasive quagga and zebra mussels will soon take effect and boaters are encouraged to get vessels screened early in order to avoid a costly citation, according to a press release from the Lake County Sheriff”s Office (LCSO).
On Jan. 18 the Lake County Board of Supervisors approved an amendment to the existing quagga ordinance establishing a fee-based screening and inspection program for all vessels launched on Clear Lake and other Lake County waters.
The amended ordinance will take effect on Feb. 24.
Resident boat owners are now being required to have their vessels screened annually. The fee for the annual screening is $10 and once the vessel has been screened, new gold stickers and year stickers will be issued for placement on the bow of the vessel or personal watercraft.
The older white resident stickers with red lettering will become invalid on the effective date of the new ordinance.
Residents will not be required to actually bring their vessel to a screening location but they will be required to present a copy of the vessel registration at the screening location to prove residency.
Another significant change in the ordinance is that violations are now classified as a misdemeanor with a fine of $1,000 if convicted.
Each of the new gold stickers should be affixed to each side of the vessel”s bow, several inches forward of the registration sticker or CF number.
The blue 2011 year sticker should be affixed next to the gold sticker.
A third set of stickers is to be placed in a conspicuous location on the rear of the boat trailer.
The sheriff”s office supports all efforts being undertaken by the Board of Supervisors, Lake County Department of Water Resources, local volunteers and businesses striving to prevent the introduction of invasive mussel species into the public waterways of Lake County.
Since the new ordinance takes effect this month, the LCSO strongly encourages all residents who plan on boating this season to have their vessels screened as soon as it is practical.
The Sheriff”s Marine Patrol Unit will be maintaining a zero-tolerance policy in enforcing the ordinance and all boaters not displaying the new stickers on or after Feb. 24 will be issued a citation.
