Mar 27, 2025
Golden mussels could be a greater threat than any other aquatic invader
Invasive golden mussels (Limnoperna fortunei) found October, 2024 in the O’Neill Forebay in Merced County, Calif. Credit: Xavier Mascareñas / California Department of Water Resources
Lake Tahoe, CA/NV – The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) Governing Board on Wednesday approved a critical update to the Lake Tahoe Watercraft Inspection Program to protect the lake from a new aquatic invasive species recently discovered just a few hours away from the Tahoe Basin. Invasive golden mussels were discovered for the first time in North America last October in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta of California. TRPA and Tahoe Resource Conservation District (Tahoe RCD), which manage the boat inspection program, strengthened inspection procedures to reduce the risk to Lake Tahoe.
On Wednesday, the agencies enacted mandatory decontaminations for all visiting motorized watercraft entering Lake Tahoe. The TRPA Governing Board approved an updated fee structure to support the additional services.
As new threats to Lake Tahoe emerge, the emphasis on following Clean, Drain, Dry protocols remains for all boaters, paddlers, anglers, and beachgoers. Golden mussels are not in Lake Tahoe, and following Clean, Drain, Dry protocols will reduce the risk of invasion.
The main change for motorized boaters traveling from other areas will be a watercraft decontamination following the mandatory inspection. As always, boats that were launched last in Lake Tahoe and have a Tahoe security seal can launch again without reinspection.
2025 Boating Season Protocols
- Decontamination: All “Tahoe In & Out” motorized watercraft will be decontaminated following inspection.
- Clean, Drain, Dry: Arrive Clean, Drained, and Dry to minimize fees and protect your watercraft.
- Appointments: Make an appointment at TahoeBoatInspections.com/appt to get on the water faster.
- Non-motorized watercraft: Visit TahoeKeepers.org to learn how to Clean, Drain, and Dry your kayak, paddleboard, and inflatables. Decontaminations are free for hand-launched non-motorized watercraft.
- Fees: Inspection fees remain the same. Use this guide to predict the total decontamination fee for your watercraft.
Water intake systems:
- 1-2 water intake systems: $30
- 3+ water intake systems OR ballasts: $60
Affected areas not Clean, Drained, and Dry:
- 1 area not Clean, Drain, Dry: $0
- 2-3 areas not Clean, Drain, Dry: $30
- 4+ areas not Clean, Drain, Dry: $60
An outline of waterbodies hydrologically connected to the San Joaquin Delta. Golden mussels have the potential to infest a large portion of California’s waters. Credit: Tahoe Resource Conservation District
Golden mussels can attach to surfaces, damage boats and clog infrastructure. Credit: Xavier Mascareñas / California Department of Water Resources
“Boaters and paddlers have a key role in protecting the waters they enjoy,” said Dennis Zabaglo, aquatic invasive species program manager for TRPA. “Golden mussels are a greater threat to Tahoe than other aquatic invasive species. We appreciate the support of boaters and will continue working to keep the lake safe and accessible to all.”
Since its discovery in Stockton, Calif., the golden mussel has been detected almost as far south as Bakersfield through connected water systems. To keep the risk to Lake Tahoe as low as possible, all motorized watercraft from other waterbodies will be decontaminated, which will increase the cost to operate the program.
Governing Board Updates Fee Structure
The Watercraft Inspection Program is a public-private partnership with one third of its funding from inspection fees and two thirds from public sources. The TRPA Governing Board approved a minimum decontamination fee of $30 for all visiting motorized watercraft needing an inspection to address the cost of increased decontaminations.
“These strengthened procedures are necessary to preserve Tahoe’s waters,” said Hayley Williamson, Chair of the TRPA Governing Board. “The introduction of golden mussels would be devastating to the lake, and the Watercraft Inspection Program is our frontline defense.”
By adhering to Clean, Drain, Dry protocols, boaters can limit additional increases to their decontamination fee.
About Golden Mussels
The golden mussel is likened to quagga mussels, an invasive species that the Lake Tahoe inspection program has successfully kept out of Lake Tahoe since beginning in 2008. Like quagga mussels, golden mussels can encrust boats, piers, rocks, and pipes.
Golden mussels can also tolerate a broader range of habitats and can reproduce faster, making them more of a threat. If introduced, golden mussels could irreversibly harm Lake Tahoe’s recreation, water quality, and native ecosystem.
Areas outside the Tahoe Region have responded to the threat with temporary waterbody closures and 30-day quarantine periods. Invasive species prevention programs throughout the western United States are rapidly assessing protocols to limit the spread outside of California.
To view the updated fee structure, visit TahoeBoatInspections.com/stickers-and-fees.
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The Lake Tahoe Aquatic Invasive Species Program is implemented by 40 public and private partner organizations, including federal, state, and local jurisdictions, research partners, public utility districts, and private marinas. The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and the Tahoe Resource Conservation District lead the program in collaboration with the public and private partners. The program’s mission is to prevent, detect, and control aquatic invasive species in the Region so that future generations can enjoy Lake Tahoe. For additional information, contact Jeff Cowen, TRPA Public Information Officer, at 775-589-5278.
Mar 13, 2025
Image: Members of Team Tahoe on the steps of The Capitol, Washington D.C. See names below.
March 13, 2025
Lake Tahoe partners met with Congressional leaders this week in Washington D.C. to discuss priorities for the Lake Tahoe Environmental Improvement Program, or EIP. The late U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein dubbed EIP partners Team Tahoe, a name that continues to represent the environmental groups, government agencies, business community representatives, and key implementers working to protect and restore Lake Tahoe.
Pictured from left to right:
Top row
Tahoe Chamber
Steve Teshara, Director, Government Relations
Middle row
Tahoe Transportation District
Jim Marino, Acting District Manager
Tahoe Regional Planning Agency
Devin Middlebrook, Government Affairs Manager
League to Save Lake Tahoe
Noa Banayan, Government Affairs Manager
Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California
Serrell Smokey, Chairman
Front row
Heavenly Mountain Resort/Vail Resorts
Shaydar Edelmann, Vice President and General Manager, Tahoe Fund Board Member
League to Save Lake Tahoe
Dr. Darcie Collins, Chief Executive Officer
North Tahoe Community Alliance
Tony Karwowski, President and Chief Executive Officer
Tahoe Regional Planning Agency
Julie Regan, Executive Director
Travel North Tahoe Nevada
Andy Chapman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Tahoe Transportation District Board Chair
Nov 1, 2024
Invasive Golden Mussel Found in Bay-Delta near Stockton; Tahoe on High Alert
Lake Tahoe, Calif. – Last week California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) discovered golden mussels that could significantly damage the ecology of waterbodies in the Bay-Delta near Stockton, California. Lake Tahoe is now on high alert, according to the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA). It is the first time the species has been detected in North America.
“While this discovery is concerning because of the proximity to Lake Tahoe, our watercraft inspection program is robust and we will continue our existing protocols to prevent its spread to the Lake Tahoe Region,” said Dennis Zabaglo, aquatic invasive species program manager at the TRPA.
TRPA and the Tahoe Resource Conservation District lead Lake Tahoe’s Aquatic Invasive Species Program in collaboration with more than 40 public and private partner agencies. Established in 2008, the program’s mission is to prevent, detect, and control aquatic invasive species in the region to protect Lake Tahoe’s fragile ecosystem.
Under the Lake Tahoe Watercraft Inspection Program, every motorized watercraft is inspected, and if need be, decontaminated before launch. Non-motorized paddle craft can also opt for a free inspection at any regional inspection station. Since 2008, staff have inspected 113,000 boats for aquatic invasive species, which can have devastating environmental and economic impacts.
“This news underscores the importance of the program. Now more than ever non-motorized paddlers, kayakers, and even beach goers must learn how to Clean, Drain, and Dry their gear through the free Tahoe Keepers program before launching anywhere in the region,” said Zabaglo.
The golden mussel, which is native to rivers and creeks of China and Southeast Asia, was likely introduced via international shipping, as boats are one of the largest potential sources of spread of aquatic invasive species in the Western U.S. This species is known to have similarly negative ecological and recreational impacts as quagga and zebra mussels, both of which have never been detected in Lake Tahoe.
The California Department of Water Resources is preparing a rapid response that includes additional monitoring to determine the extent of the population and managing potential vectors.
To learn more about how to Clean, Drain, and Dry and for more information about aquatic invasive species, visit TahoeBoatInspections.com. For the latest updates on the golden mussel, visit the CDFW Aquatic Invasive Species webpage.
Image: Golden Mussel shells collected in October 2024 at a water quality station at Rough and Ready Island near Stockton in San Joaquin County, California, USA. Photo credit: Elizabeth Wells, Ph. D. (DWR)
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The Lake Tahoe Aquatic Invasive Species Program is implemented by 40 public and private partner organizations, including federal, state, and local jurisdictions, research partners, public utility districts, and private marinas. The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and the Tahoe Resource Conservation District lead the program in collaboration with the public and private partners. The program’s mission is to prevent, detect, and control aquatic invasive species in the Region so that future generations can enjoy Lake Tahoe. For additional information, contact Victoria Ortiz, Community Engagement Manager, at (775) 589-5281 or vortiz@trpa.gov.
Sep 24, 2024
Image: Looking over Lake Tahoe’s 190 square-mile surface from the East Shore of Lake Tahoe, Nev. The alpine lake spans the borders of Nevada and California. The USDA Forest Service manages nearly 80 percent of the land in the watershed. Image Credit: Drone Promotions
LAKE TAHOE, CA/NV – A partnership of Lake Tahoe agencies applauded Congress today for its passage of a bill to reauthorize the Lake Tahoe Restoration Act (LTRA), which is the cornerstone of federal investment in the Lake Tahoe Environmental Improvement Program (EIP), one of the most comprehensive and successful conservation programs in the nation.
The approval extends existing funding authorizations for approximately $300 million to 2034 and continues federal support for priority EIP projects to protect and restore Lake Tahoe. Since the EIP was formed in 1997, public and private sector partners have completed more than 830 projects including wetland restoration, bike trails, forest fuel reduction, and aquatic invasive species prevention and control. The federal commitment has helped leverage local, state, and private investments which together total more than $2.8 billion in environmental improvements.
Known as Team Tahoe, the EIP is a partnership of more than 80 public, tribal, and non-profit organizations.
“The Lake Tahoe Region is grateful to Congress for their leadership in passing this critical piece of legislation to continue the collaborative work to protect and restore Lake Tahoe,” Tahoe Regional Planning Agency Executive Director Julie Regan said. “Extending the federal investment in the EIP will leverage millions of dollars in state and local funding to implement the top priority projects for the lake and our communities.”
Rosalie Herrera, Deputy Forest Supervisor for the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, said “USDA has testified in support of S. 612 as these federal funds will continue to allow work with states, local governments, and other public and private entities to provide for fuel reduction, erosion control, reforestation, watershed restoration, and invasive plant projects on federal and non-federal lands in the Lake Tahoe Basin”
Since LTRA was authorized in 2016, $122 million in federal funds have supported EIP partners in treating 21,000 acres of forest to reduce wildfire risk, restoring 342 acres of wetlands to protect biodiversity and the lake’s clarity, and inspecting 51,000 boats for aquatic invasive species. These federal funds have been matched by $500 million in state, local, tribal, and private matching funds. Additionally, the EIP supports an average of 1,700 jobs a year and every $1 million in spending generates $1.6 million in economic output.
“In the thick of election season, the successful bipartisan effort to pass the Lake Tahoe Restoration Reauthorization Act is something the whole country can celebrate,” said Dr. Darcie Goodman Collins, CEO of League to Save Lake Tahoe/Keep Tahoe Blue. “In every conversation we have with lawmakers, we hear nothing but commitment to protect this national treasure. Working together is how we’ll continue to Keep Tahoe Blue.”
“We are thrilled about the extension of the LTRA, and are so grateful to the extraordinarily hard-working senators, congresspeople and staff members who represent us in Washington,” said Tahoe Fund CEO Amy Berry. “An enormous amount of work goes into preserving this pristine natural treasure enjoyed by so many. Our champions in Congress and the resources provided through the LTRA continue to inspire our generous donors to contribute to the long-term health of Lake Tahoe.”
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Taylor and Tallac Creeks and Marsh and USDA Forest Service Visitor Center, South Shore of Lake Tahoe, Calif. Credit: Drone Promotions
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Sugar Pine Point, West Shore of Lake Tahoe, Calif. Credit: Drone Promotions
The Restoration Act will address the biggest environmental challenges facing the lake, including water quality, forest health, and the harmful spread of aquatic invasive species.
The bill is sponsored by Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Alex Padilla (D-CA), and Laphonza Butler (D-CA) in the Senate and by Mark Amodei (R-NV), Kevin Kiley (R-CA), John Garamendi (D-CA), Dina Titus (D-NV), Susie Lee (D-NV), Steven Horsford (D-NV), and John Duarte (R-CA) in the House of Representatives. The bill was introduced in March 2023 with the late Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) as an original cosponsor.
Media Contacts
Jeff Cowen, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, (775) 589-5278, jcowen@trpa.gov
Charles Clark, USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, (520) 282-0020, Charles.h.clark@usda.gov
Chris Joseph, League to Save Lake Tahoe, (530) 541-5388, cjoseph@keeptahoeblue.org
Jess Weaver, JVP Communications, Tahoe Fund (530) 448-6981, jessica@jvpcommunications.com
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In 1969, the U.S. Congress ratified the bi-state compact between the states of Nevada and California to create the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA). TRPA leads the collaborative effort to protect and restore Lake Tahoe, and proudly leads the Environmental Improvement Program collaboration of more than 80 public and private organizations.
Aug 16, 2024
Governing Board Vice Chair Hayley Williamson, Nevada At-Large Member
Governing Board Chair Cindy Gustafson, Placer County Board of Supervisors
By Cindy Gustafson and Hayley Williamson
Earlier this week, members of Lake Tahoe’s federal delegation, led by U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev), gathered with community members, Washoe tribal members, and state and local leaders to mark the 28th annual Lake Tahoe Summit. Their presence, along with a keynote address by U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, provided an uplifting moment that recognized the success of the conservation of Lake Tahoe. The annual event additionally underscored ongoing challenges in the region and the need for sustainable funding to support multiple initiatives.
The Summit celebrates the unparalleled partnership that underpins the Lake Tahoe Environmental Improvement Program (EIP), which came together at the first Lake Tahoe Presidential Summit in 1997. Today, the EIP involves more than 80 organizations committed to Lake Tahoe’s restoration with the goal of preserving this special place for all to enjoy now and into the future. While the event shines a national spotlight on all conservation efforts, the theme this year focused on investing in transit, trails, and technology to improve transportation, equity, and sustainable recreation while supporting our communities.
It was empowering to hear so many leaders echo support for priority projects in the Regional Transportation Plan. The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) is leading an update of the plan this year with many opportunities for dialogue in our communities, particularly those that are traditionally underrepresented. Through the EIP, regional transportation partners have built or improved nearly 200 miles of bike trails and finished 17 complete street projects. Free, on-demand microtransit services have provided well over one million rides to date. These are just some of the investments that have resulted in a 29 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions since 2005 and a 24 percent reduction in car trips since 2008.
The challenges around updating the car-centric design of town centers and reducing traffic and parking on Tahoe’s two-lane mountain roads are clear. Demand on our roadways and recreation areas is undergoing a fundamental shift. America’s love of the outdoors has been rising and metropolitan areas outside the Tahoe Basin are growing. Today, Lake Tahoe’s most popular recreation corridors are congested on peak days. To keep pace, TRPA Corridor Management Plans are prioritizing transportation and sustainable recreation improvements for areas like Emerald Bay, Zephyr Cove, Sand Harbor, and the roadways that connect Tahoe City, Truckee, and Kings Beach.
The new approach is holistically reducing reliance on cars, improving access and mobility with bike trails and transit, and moving roadside parking spaces into managed parking areas. At the Chimney Beach trailhead on Nevada State Route 28, the USDA Forest Service is improving an existing parking lot with more than 100 additional parking spaces while an equal number of roadside spaces are being removed. Similar improvements at Zephyr Cove this summer have greatly increased safety with a new pedestrian crosswalk, a parking reservation system, and additional parking enforcement.
This year alone, more than $33 million in new federal grants have been awarded for the East Shore trail extension from Sand Harbor toward Spooner Summit along Nevada State Route 28, to replace Tahoe’s aging transit fleet with new hybrid bus technology, and to improve regional communications systems during emergencies and assist evacuation planning. Even with this progress, significant transit and infrastructure investments are needed to achieve our shared vision for a safe, sustainable Tahoe. State and local governments and the private sector are stepping up as well with sustainable sources of revenue to bridge the funding gap in the Regional Transportation Plan. Under a shared, multi-sector funding framework called the “7-7-7” strategy, federal, state, and local/private partners are providing $7 million per year to complete the projects called for in the plan.
Officials from both sides of the aisle during the Summit (full recording) also stressed the importance of extending the Lake Tahoe Restoration Act. The bill has appropriated $100 million for Tahoe restoration projects since 2016. The Act is set to expire next month and awaits a final vote for reauthorization in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Taking care of Tahoe is something that brings people together. This beloved lake is not only a place where people and communities can thrive, it is also the jewel of the Sierra, shared by two states and six local governments. Further, it is the center of the world for the Washoe Tribe and a national treasure that is nearly 80 percent national forest. Every one of us has a role to play in protecting Lake Tahoe and we hope you can join us. Visit restoretahoe.org to learn more.
Cindy Gustafson is Chair of the TRPA Governing Board and District 5 Supervisor for Placer County. Hayley Williamson is Vice Chair and Nevada At-Large member of the TRPA Governing Board.
Jun 14, 2024
The 26th issue of Tahoe In Depth is hitting the streets and will be in mailboxes soon. Enjoy articles on the Motel 6 acquisition and restoration, reintroducing Lahontan cutthroat trout, Tahoe Blue Beaches, and many more.
