LAKEPORT >> A potential application for grant funding provided by the State Department of Boating and Waterways Quagga and Zebra Mussel Infestation Prevention Fee was discussed by the Lake County Board of Supervisors Tuesday.
The grant money was raised through additional registration fees for fresh water vessels by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), according to Lake County Water Resources Director Scott De Leon.
At the Aug. 26 BOS meeting, De Leon discussed the grant, but was asked to bring back the request after discussing the option with members of the Save the Lake Committee.
The deadline for application is Oct. 20, but he would like to apply sooner, De Leon said. Each agency that is approved for the grant can receive up to $200,000 over a two-year period. However, a total of $2.5 million is available statewide.
“That means that 12 and a half agencies can receive the maximum grant amount,” De Leon said.
If approved by the state, the grant will be used to fund a public outreach and education program.
Either volunteer coordinators or ramp attendees will be hired to check for quagga stickers, handout informational brochures and conduct boater surveys.
Additionally, the money can fund the retrieval of a mussel boat, which is located at Lake Mead, to use as a display.
If there is enough funding, additional outreach such as commercials or public service announcements are planned.
Other options discussed included ramp monitoring, modifying the existing sticker program to electronic format and hiring a consultant to evaluate county issues and recommend future programs.
“Ramp monitoring is an expensive proposition,” De Leon said.
For full-time ramp monitoring, which would be 12 hours a day and seven days a week, annual costs are estimated at $850,000 to $900,000, according to De Leon. Of the total costs, $750,000 would be dedicated to staffing, while the remainder would be allocated for services and supplies.
Costs are reduced for part-time or seasonal ramp monitoring, with a total estimated cost of between $300,000 and $350,000, De Leon said. Seasonal ramp monitoring would be 12 hours a day and seven days a week from May to September.
Save the Lake Committee Chair Scott Knickmeyer said that the committee supports the public outreach and education plan.
“It is the best way to reach the largest number of people,” he said.
Contact J. W. Burch, IV at 900-2022.
