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Nevada County's Supervisors Tuesday adopted a resolution petitioning the state for stricter measures to protect against invasive mussels in the California's waterways.
Essentially, the resolution asks the state to implement and fund an inspection program for quagga and zebra mussels and other invasive aquatic species, which have been detected in regional waterways. The invasives contribute to declining water clarity, devastate fisheries, clog boat intake valves, threatens water used in California's $36 billion annual agriculture industry and fill beaches with sharp shells, according to research.
Nevada is the second county to adopt the measure, following Lake County. County Agriculture Commissioner Jeff Pylman presented the resolution, which supervisors adopted unanimously.
In December 2010, a University of California Cooperative Extension scientist named Gregory A. Giusti published a report recommending water managers in the state adopt uniform measures regarding boat inspections, so boats inspected and cleared for invasive species may enter other bodies of water as a part of a reciprocal agreement.
Currently regulators at some water bodies, like Lake Tahoe, can impose mandatory inspections and deny boaters access to the lake if their watercraft is infested. At others like Donner Lake, though, inspectors can only ask for voluntary inspections and cannot quarantine a boat or block access to waterways.
That would mean the state would need to fund boater outreach materials and some infrastructure, like decontamination stations for boats found infested with mussels, said Pylman.
Lake and Nevada counties are asking state officials and fellow counties to sign off on the proposed regulations, which could be paid for through motor vehicle license fees and a fee on motorboat registration. It's unclear how much a statewide program would cost, Pylman added.
“Sooner or later we're going to find these in our waterways,” said District 5 Supervisor Ted Owens. “Now is the time to hit it.”
Officials from Nevada and Lake counties will now reach out to other county leaders statewide to lobby for support for the measure, Pylman said.
In other board business
• Supervisors recognized Board Clerk Cathy Thompson for her 42 years of service to the county. Supervisors honored Thompson for her longevity with the county, as she hired on in 1969 and served with 50 supervisors during the course of her career.
Thompson received a standing ovation from many in attendance Tuesday, including past county supervisors and current county staff. Thompson said she now plans to spend time traveling with her husband and pet dog.
• Supervisors also honored County Counsel Michael Jamison, who retires at the end of the month. Jamison hired on with the county in 2006 and was named counsel at the beginning of 2010.
To contact Staff Writer Kyle Magin, e-mail kmagin@theunion.com or call (530) 477-4239.
Essentially, the resolution asks the state to implement and fund an inspection program for quagga and zebra mussels and other invasive aquatic species, which have been detected in regional waterways. The invasives contribute to declining water clarity, devastate fisheries, clog boat intake valves, threatens water used in California's $36 billion annual agriculture industry and fill beaches with sharp shells, according to research.
Nevada is the second county to adopt the measure, following Lake County. County Agriculture Commissioner Jeff Pylman presented the resolution, which supervisors adopted unanimously.
In December 2010, a University of California Cooperative Extension scientist named Gregory A. Giusti published a report recommending water managers in the state adopt uniform measures regarding boat inspections, so boats inspected and cleared for invasive species may enter other bodies of water as a part of a reciprocal agreement.
Currently regulators at some water bodies, like Lake Tahoe, can impose mandatory inspections and deny boaters access to the lake if their watercraft is infested. At others like Donner Lake, though, inspectors can only ask for voluntary inspections and cannot quarantine a boat or block access to waterways.
That would mean the state would need to fund boater outreach materials and some infrastructure, like decontamination stations for boats found infested with mussels, said Pylman.
Lake and Nevada counties are asking state officials and fellow counties to sign off on the proposed regulations, which could be paid for through motor vehicle license fees and a fee on motorboat registration. It's unclear how much a statewide program would cost, Pylman added.
“Sooner or later we're going to find these in our waterways,” said District 5 Supervisor Ted Owens. “Now is the time to hit it.”
Officials from Nevada and Lake counties will now reach out to other county leaders statewide to lobby for support for the measure, Pylman said.
In other board business
• Supervisors recognized Board Clerk Cathy Thompson for her 42 years of service to the county. Supervisors honored Thompson for her longevity with the county, as she hired on in 1969 and served with 50 supervisors during the course of her career.
Thompson received a standing ovation from many in attendance Tuesday, including past county supervisors and current county staff. Thompson said she now plans to spend time traveling with her husband and pet dog.
• Supervisors also honored County Counsel Michael Jamison, who retires at the end of the month. Jamison hired on with the county in 2006 and was named counsel at the beginning of 2010.
To contact Staff Writer Kyle Magin, e-mail kmagin@theunion.com or call (530) 477-4239.
