The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, the Tahoe Resource Conservation District, California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) and the Nevada Wildlife Department are expanding their efforts to protect Lake Tahoe from invading quagga and zebra mussels by conducting random boat inspections beginning May 16.
Quagga mussels were discovered last year in Nevada's Lake Mead and Lake Mohave as well as California's Lake Havasu and the Colorado River drainage. Zebra mussels were found in the San Justo Resevoir, southeast of San Francisco. Officials hope spot inspections at public boat-launching sites will help to prevent the spread that could occur when boats change waters, bringing mussels with them.
In addition, the California DFG is stationing two dogs trained to smell the mussels in the Tahoe area. The dogs will be used where contamination is suspected.
