Latest news with #DennisZabaglo
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Lake Tahoe inspectors find golden mussels in a boat in Alpine Meadows
( — Lake Tahoe watercraft inspectors identified highly invasive golden mussels on a boat on Friday at the Alpine Meadows inspection station. • Video above: Officials have no idea how Golden Mussels make their way to the region According to officials, this is the first interception of the new invasive species by Lake Tahoe watercraft inspectors since the first acknowledgment in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta back in 2024. In May, golden mussels found their way to Folsom Lake and were discovered during a boat inspection. 'Golden mussels pose an extreme threat to Lake Tahoe and the waters of the region, and it is critical that everyone stay vigilant and always Clean, Drain, and Dry all watercraft and equipment when visiting new areas,' said Dennis Zabaglo, aquatic invasive species program manager for the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency. 'We are fortunate to have such highly trained inspectors and committed partners at marinas and boat ramps, but protecting the waters of the Tahoe Region from the spread of aquatic invasive species takes all of us.' Defense Intelligence Agency IT Specialist arrested for allegedly sharing classified information TRPA and the Tahoe Resource Convention District manage the Lake Tahoe Watercraft Inspection Program, which helped to strengthen the inspection procedures in March in response to the golden mussel discovery just a few hours away from the Tahoe Basin, according to authorities. Inspectors said that crews at the Alpine Meadows station conducted an initial decontamination of the 65-foot boat and placed it under quarantine under the California Department of Fish and Wildlife regulations until the boat is safe. The managers of the Watercraft Inspection Program have been working with the Nevada Division of Wildlife and other state agencies to share information on all detections with agencies in both states and the western U.S., officials said. 'With the support of boaters and paddlers, we have kept Lake Tahoe safe from many invasive species, but the survivability of golden mussel and their proximity to Tahoe make them a greater threat than other aquatic invasive species,' Killian said. 'The Lake Tahoe inspection program has become a national model because it is so comprehensive. The move to mandatory decontaminations this year was a crucial step to continue protecting the waters of the Tahoe Region for all to enjoy.' According to the inspectors, as new threats come to Lake Tahoe, the emphasis on following clear, drain, and dry protocol remains for all boaters, paddlers, anglers, and beachgoers. Sacramento's Track 7 Brewing Company announced its closures effective Saturday Tahoe RCD Aquatic Invasive Species Program Manager Chris Killian said that the golden mussels are not in the lake, so following the clean, drain, and dry protocol will help to lessen the risk of invasion. Authorities stated that since the discovery of golden mussels in the port of Stockton, they have been discovered as far south as Bakersfield through the connected water system. The areas outside the Tahoe Region have responded to the threat by standing up prevention programs, temporary waterbody closures, and 30-day quarantine periods in some areas. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
3 days ago
- General
- CBS News
Invasive golden mussels found on boat during Lake Tahoe inspection
ALPINE MEADOWS – Invasive golden mussels were intercepted during an inspection at a Lake Tahoe-area station, making it the first time golden mussels were intercepted in the area, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency said. The golden mussels were found on a 65-foot vessel that went through the Alpine Meadows inspection station on Friday. That boat will be held under quarantine until officials deem it risk-free. "Golden mussels pose an extreme threat to Lake Tahoe and the waters of the region and it is critical that everyone stay vigilant and always Clean, Drain, and Dry all watercraft and equipment when visiting new areas," said Dennis Zabaglo, the aquatic invasive species program manager for the TRPA. TRPA Since March, all boats that enter the waters of Lake Tahoe, Fallen Leaf Lake and Echo Lake must go through an inspection procedure. The TRPA said if the golden mussels enter the lake, they could "irreversibly harm Lake Tahoe's recreation, water quality, and native ecosystem." This comes after golden mussels were discovered at the Port of Stockton, marking the first such discovery in North America. The TRPA says the farthest south that golden mussels have been detected in California is Bakersfield. Some areas, such as Folsom Lake, mandate that boats must go through a 30-day quarantine before entering the water.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Yahoo
The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency updates Watercraft Inspection Program after discovery of aquatic invasive species
( — An update to the Lake Tahoe Watercraft Inspection Program was approved to protect the lake after invasive golden mussels were discovered just a few hours away from the Tahoe Basin, according to the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency. Video Above: Who Determines When A Species Is Invasive TRPA said the governing board approved the update after the invasive species was found for the first time in North America last October in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta of the state. The Lake Tahoe inspection program has kept golden mussels out of Lake Tahoe since beginning in 2008, as they can encrust boats, piers, rocks, and pipes, according to TRPA. TRPA along with the Tahoe Resource Conservation District enacted mandatory decontaminations for visiting motorized watercrafts going into lake Tahoe. Motorized boaters traveling into Lake Tahoe are required to have a watercraft decontamination followed by a mandatory inspection. '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.' Tahoe National Forest seeks public feedback on multiple projects TPRA said golden mussels have been detected through connected water systems as far as Bakersfield, since being discovered in Stockton. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
