LAKEPORT — During its bimonthly meeting on Tuesday the Invasive Species Council received an update on the county”s quagga mussel prevention program.
According to Dennis Ostini of the Lake County Sheriff Boat Patrol, the overall boat traffic is down this summer on Clear Lake. He said that compliance to the county ordinance that requires all boats to have a current quagga mussel sticker has been very good. Since the ordinance became effective in February the boat patrol has issued 14 citations to boaters for not having a sticker. Of the 14 citations, 11 were issued to Lake County residents and three to out-of-county residents. Two of the citations were dismissed and the other 12 are pending action.
According to Ostini, when a boater receives a citation he/she signs the ticket and agrees to check themselves into the sheriff”s office at the county jail where they are photographed and fingerprinted. They are then normally released on their own recognizance. The fine for being found guilty of not having a current quagga mussel sticker is $1,000. In addition to the fine the court administrative cost is $1,700 for a total of $2,700. The citation also carries a misdemeanor charge.
Lake County residents are required to get a sticker annually and nonresidents require a monthly sticker. The fee for the sticker is $10. Prior to being issued a sticker the boat is either screened or inspected. If found dirty, contaminated or if the boat was recently in a mussel infested body of water the boat must undergo a decontamination. To date, only one boat has been required to undergo decontaminated.
