Date: 5/12/08
Contact: Edwin Lyngar
Phone: (775) 688-1548

NEVADA BOATERS URGED TO WATCH FOR QUAGGA MUSSELS BEFORE BOATING IN CALIFORNIA

Nevada boaters who boat across state lines in California could face restrictions and mandatory inspections for Quagga and Zebra mussels at the state border, park entrances and even at boat ramps as California works to contain the spread of these damaging invasive species.

“We feel a duty to inform our boaters who may travel across state lines that they may encounter delays, inspections and even be turned back at some boating destinations,” said Rob Buonamici, Chief Game Warden with the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW). “The presence of Quagga and Zebra mussels in water bodies is a very serious issue, and we want to work closely with California to make sure infections from Lake Mead and Mohave do not spread further into California and Nevada waters.”

Before they travel to their destination, boaters are advised to contact the waterway management agency to obtain updated information on any restrictions. The California Department of Boating and Waterways will provide information on its Web site (www.BoatSmarter.com) about waterway restrictions and closures due to the infestation of Quagga and Zebra mussels.

“We want to keep the Quagga and Zebra mussels out, but we also want to continue to encourage boating and tourism on California’s beautiful lakes and waterways,” said Raynor Tsuneyoshi, Director of California’s Department of Boating and Waterways. “If we can get help and cooperation from boaters, we can stop the threat and still offer recreational opportunities for boaters.”

The East Bay Municipal Utilities District adopted a rule that boaters from outside of California, southern California, San Benito and Santa Clara counties and those boaters who recently had their boats in any newly identified high risk reservoirs, will be turned away from launching their vessels at Camanche and Pardee Reservoirs (Amador County). NDOW received a report of a boater being turned away from Camanche because of Nevada registration, but this situation is not widespread.

Lake County has required the inspection of any vessel prior to launching in any county water body, including Clear Lake, a lake approximately 230 miles from Reno. The new law applies to all motorized and non-motorized vessels and trailers. All vessels are required to obtain an Inspection Sticker prior to launching.

Quagga mussels were first discovered in Lake Mead in January of 2007. Zebra mussels were discovered in San Justo Reservoir in January of 2008. They are small non-native mollusk from Eastern Europe that can multiply by the trillions, displacing native species, fouling irrigation and water projects, and ultimately costing taxpayers and citizens millions of dollars in upkeep and damages. These creatures latch onto hard and soft surfaces creating sharp, unsightly and often bad smelling colonies. They can irreparably harm the scenic beauty and diminished recreational opportunities at infected waterways. There is no known way to eliminate them once they have been established.

These invasive species are spread primarily by boaters unknowingly moving mussels from infected to uninfected waters. Mature mussels can live for days outside of water, and juvenile mussels are microscopic and live in a small cup of water for extended periods of time. Boaters who move from waterway to waterway are encouraged to clean, drain and dry boats each and every time a boat is moved to a new waterway.

The Nevada Department of Wildlife is the state agency responsible for the restoration, protection and management of fish and wildlife resources, and the promotion of boating safety on Nevada’s waters. Wildlife offices are located in Las Vegas, Henderson, Winnemucca, Fallon, Elko, and Reno. For more information, contact the agency web site at www.ndow.org.