By Staff reports
LAKE COUNTY — The boating season on Clear Lake will soon be in full swing and the Lake County Sheriff”s Marine Patrol Unit is already applying a zero-tolerance policy in enforcing the water vessel inspection ordinance passed by the Board of Supervisors (BOS) in February.
In January the (BOS) 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 took effect on Feb. 24.
Resident boat owners are required to have vessels screened annually. The fee for the annual screening is $10 and once the vessel has been screened, new gold stickers and year stickers are issued for placement on the bow of the vessel or personal watercraft. The older white resident stickers with red lettering are no longer valid.
Residents are not required to bring the vessel to a screening location, but they are 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.
While boating activity on Clear Lake has been minimal since the ordinance took effect in February, the Sheriff”s Marine Patrol Unit has stopped or checked numerous vessels for compliance with the ordinance and has already issued two citations for misdemeanor violations. Beginning in May the Marine Patrol Unit will deploy additional sheriff”s deputies for the boating season on Clear Lake and increase its assertive enforcement of the ordinance.
The Lake County Sheriff”s Office supports all efforts undertaken by the (BOS), the Lake County Department of Water Resources, local volunteers and businesses who are striving to protect public waterways in Lake County and prevent the infestation of Dreissenid mussels, known as quagga and zebra mussels.
Residents who have not yet had their vessels screened and updated with annual stickers are strongly encouraged to do so without delay in order to avoid a citation and fine.
