Clear Lake: Boat inspections mandatory starting April 8...

[StockOption]

By Terry Knight -- Record-Bee outdoors columnist
Article Last Updated: 03/28/2008 05:10:42 PM PDT


Clear Lake, with its 44,000 surface acres, will be the first major body of water in Northern California to require all boats entering Lake County to undergo a mandatory inspection for quagga and zebra mussels.

On Tuesday, the Lake County Board of Supervisors passed an interim urgency ordinance establishing the inspection and decontamination program. The program starts April 8.

Complete Article:
http://www.record-bee.com/sportsoutdoors/ci_8732783

[Bob Simard]

From the article -

"According to Fulton, the way the program will work is that a boater entering the county will be directed to a boat inspection station where the boat will be inspected by a certified inspector. If the boat is determined to be clean of mussels and their lava (called veligers), the operator will be given a sticker that he or she must place on the boat. The sticker and inspection is free from April 8 through June 30. After June 30, there will be a small fee for the inspection and sticker. The stickers are valid until Jan. 1, 2009. If the boat fails to pass inspection, it will be directed to one of the four decontamination stations located around the county. The decontamination process includes washing the boat, its bilge, livewells and trailer with water that's at least 140 degrees."

Okay - so ONE sticker that's valid through the year? i.e. only one inspection required? Or every time? i.e. inspections (and new stickers) every time?

April 8th is coming up REAL quick with both the WonBass ProAm and Stren Series on the calender in mid April, there will be more than 200 plus bass boats on the water during that time.

I hope they've thought this through -

The bilge in my 520 isn't exactly 'easy' to inspect. What about the bilge pump? Water flows through it?

The engine's got a water pump - takes water in. How will they inspect that in a timely manner?

The livewell? Okay - so it get's inspected... what about the intake and drain hoses? Pumps?

It's not exactly 100 degrees outside and these above-mentioned components are wet in my boat from October through July..... so I'm assuming it'll always be considered contaminated when inspected - if the inspection is daily?????


there's potential for a lot of confusion when guys start showing up to Prefish, and having to search for an inspector, then get 'decontaminated........'

If you local folks could continue to point us to the articles, etc. that further clarify, that would be a great value.

Thanks!

-Bob Simard

[Dan Stahlman]

Bob, the way I see it is they are not trying to cause a problem or single out the Bass faternity but to try and insure the the darn things don't get into the lake. Yes, there are some things to work out but the process has to start some where. The major concern is are the livewells empty, the bilge and livewell are dry and the motor has been dropped to let all the water out. No big deal if you think about it and you will sail through the inspection station. The boats with the biggest potential to bring in the bad guys are the wake board boats. They have ballasts tanks that hold water and its very easy for them to bring in the stuff as the ballast tanks normally don't drain out all the water. These will be inspected closely and lets face it, the people who do this arn't the most accomodating individuals per say.

Yes, it does seem a might confusing but here again, with cooperation, it shouldn't be a great problem. The other alternative is to close the lake to all boats except locals. Of course this would make many locals and especially the guides happy so they could charge astronomical high fees. At this point. many of us locals will apply for guide licenses. Just kidding. Hang in there and I'm sure things will work out for the best interest of the lake and the individuals using and enjoying it.
Dan Stahlman

[BigBoy]

So I fish on April 9th, I get a sticker which says my boat is good till 1/09 and no one ever checks it again till next year?

Doesn't make a lot of sense to me, sounds more like bureaucratic non-sense than a practical solution.

[Bill kizer]

Here's a guestion. To get the the bilge on my boat; the oil tank must be removed, then a panel has to be removed. Are they going to require that?

I still want to see how they check the water bladders on wake board boats.

[Phil]

*NM*

[NoCAL]

Jigs, It's not pissy. You had a Triton so you know that the bilge area is not visible without major work. Are they really going to require removing all the panels to be able to check the bilge on every boat or will it be like we had at Pardee where there was a look around the bottom of the boat, look in the livewells, feel around the drain plug and thats it? I think people voiced valid concerns. We all want to comply with regulations that make sense but not with govt BS that is just being done so the public thinks something is being done. Shouldn't there be a tiered sort of inspection? People that are from Northern Cal and don't fish infested waters should be able to get a certification good for all the clean lakes.

NoCAL

[Phil]

*NM*

[Phil]

*NM*

[Bill kizer]

NoCAL

SOMEONE ON HERE STATED AWHILE BACK THAT cLEARLAKE WAS ALREADY INFESTED, SO WHATS THE USE. Now you have to check all No calif lake because of boats going to and from Clearlake ??

Correct ???[/quote]

True, then the system they are setting up is a day late and a dollar short. The boats wouldn't need to be inspected going in, but going out of the county.

[Tobe]

I think there are very good points being made here.
According the County of Lake, once you get a sticker it appears you are free to visit any lake in the U.S. you want, you may return to Clear Lake without an inspection because you now have a sticker on your boat .

I'll be the first to admit I know little about the Quagga mussel other than what I've read in the press and on these boards however, it seems reasonable that this tactic will not accomplish anything productive.
I've read there are a some infected Southern CA. lakes that have never seen a boat, if this is true, boat inspections may be pointless.

[Bob Simard]

So quit bringing up BS about people getting pissy - I don't believe you fish either Won or FLW

Don't waste my time or this thread.

There's a lot of boats showing up on that pond very early in the morning in the coming weeks.

We need to know WTF we're supposed to do in the we hours of the morning when we're rolling over the hill on highway 20.

[Tobe]

Jigs, nice back pedal and good point however, you must be elected to become sheriff

[Phil]

I am sorry MR. Simard;

I meant you no disrespect, I was not aware that you owned this sight or was in control of it. Your correct I am retired and do not wish to waste your time or do I fish any of these events anymore.

Have a nice day, I hope you find your answer.

[Bob Simard]

Those of us out here running over our gear, respooling reels, making last minute orders from basstackledepot and tacklewarehouse, tightening bolts down, checking battery tie downs, connections, etc for whatever Mother Nature throws at us in the coming weeks need to know what the F we're supposed to do in the coming weeks


I've been posting and answering posts since the early days.

Far as me owning this site, Tony will either boot me or I'll leave voluntarily. But until then, I'll jump on anyone who trys to jack a thread I've posted to - particularly over an issue as important as this, that's going to cause a lot of chaos starting April 8th

[Phil]

Those of us out here running over our gear, respooling reels, making last minute orders from basstackledepot and tacklewarehouse, tightening bolts down, checking battery tie downs, connections, etc for whatever Mother Nature throws at us in the coming weeks need to know what the F we're supposed to do in the coming weeks


I've been posting and answering posts since the early days.

Far as me owning this site, Tony will either boot me or I'll leave voluntarily. But until then, I'll jump on anyone who trys to jack a thread I've posted to - particularly over an issue as important as this, that's going to cause a lot of chaos starting April 8th

Bob; I think stockoption posted or started this thread. I was kinda getting concern for my lakes here Don Pedro and Mc clure. But all gets misunderstood anyway, so I will call DFG to get the real skinny. ((Again my friend I wish you luck at the tourney and again I appologize and meant you no disrespect) OK...Jigs) Have a nice tournament !!!!

[Bob Simard]

I do appreciate it - best of luck to you.

Regards -

Bob Simard

[Vince E]

If a single inspection really is the extent of their plan to "control" these pests then I'd have to say it's more about the "small fee" that comes after June 30th and the subsequent fines they will be collecting from people who disregard the new rules.

And to try to convince the people that government can control something that it clearly can't, of course.

This bums me out because my boat's just a beater family boat with a grimy bilge and if any water gets in it flows through a hole under the deck and takes forever to dry out. You would have to cut a hole in the deck to gain access to it. Going to be hard to clean up properly.

I was going to try a day trip to CL soon but now I guess I'd better plan on spending half the day getting hosed in an attempt to get a sticker.

I'd guess anyone ought to plan on that if they head up on rainy morning too. Going to be hard to keep the hull and trailer clean and dry under those conditions.

What about my built in ice chest? It never gets lake water in it but it is wet. Can I ice that up before I hit the road or do I have to wait for inspection?

[NoCAL]

As far as your ice chest, I called East Bay Municipal before I went to Pardee and they said "keep your ice in an ice chest. After the inspection you can put it into the boat." The inspector at the ramp said the same thing and mentioned that if I'd had the ice in there, he might have not let me on the lake.

NoCAL

[Don]

Can't they just flush bilge and livewell's with 150 degree water and powerwash outboard and trailer with the same?

[Don]

Can't they just flush bilge and livewell's with 150 degree water and powerwash outboard and trailer with the same?

[Dewayne]

If one inspection is good for the year they will do little to block the spread. They may be of value though by educating people on how to prepare and keep their boats to reduce the threat of spreading hitch hiking pests.


My big concern will be what happens when it rains? There is not a way to show up with a dry boat then. I guess all boats would have to go through the cleaning stations.

[Tin Can]

I see it was mentioned in this thread that mussels were found in Clearlake? When did this happen? I have not heard that and I doubt it's true.

The inspections will definitely not be good for an entire year. That would make no sense at all.

[brambo0311]

Every duck, coot, and goose has to get his flippers dunked in 140 degree water and shoot high pressure hot water through his bilge. Then we either put a sticker on his undercarage or a six pack ring around his neck so we can identify all the outlaw birds.

[Tin Can]

Every duck, coot, and goose has to get his flippers dunked in 140 degree water and shoot high pressure hot water through his bilge. Then we either put a sticker on his undercarage or a six pack ring around his neck so we can identify all the outlaw birds.

When was the last time you saw a bird with a mussel attached to it's leg?

[brambo0311]

Every duck, coot, and goose has to get his flippers dunked in 140 degree water and shoot high pressure hot water through his bilge. Then we either put a sticker on his undercarage or a six pack ring around his neck so we can identify all the outlaw birds.

When was the last time you saw a bird with a mussel attached to it's leg?

My point is at casitas they shut the hole lake down in fear they could attach to even a fish stringer. Why wouldnt they attach to a ducks foot. Plus birds eat mussels and clams, do they die in the digestive tract? I think its just a BS burocracy to create revenue. Dont get me wrong, I think the mussels are a serious problem. But I dont think the boats will transport them as much as they will just spread on there own.

[crawdaddy]

What if on the way to Clearlake you get rained on? This happened to me several weeks ago on the way up and it worried me.

[basshol]

went to camanche a couple of weeks ago the boat was wet from rain they still let us through

[TD]

From the article -

"According to Fulton, the way the program will work is that a boater entering the county will be directed to a boat inspection station where the boat will be inspected by a certified inspector. If the boat is determined to be clean of mussels and their lava (called veligers), the operator will be given a sticker that he or she must place on the boat. The sticker and inspection is free from April 8 through June 30. After June 30, there will be a small fee for the inspection and sticker. The stickers are valid until Jan. 1, 2009. If the boat fails to pass inspection, it will be directed to one of the four decontamination stations located around the county. The decontamination process includes washing the boat, its bilge, livewells and trailer with water that's at least 140 degrees."

Okay - so ONE sticker that's valid through the year? i.e. only one inspection required? Or every time? i.e. inspections (and new stickers) every time?

April 8th is coming up REAL quick with both the WonBass ProAm and Stren Series on the calender in mid April, there will be more than 200 plus bass boats on the water during that time.

I hope they've thought this through -

The bilge in my 520 isn't exactly 'easy' to inspect. What about the bilge pump? Water flows through it?

The engine's got a water pump - takes water in. How will they inspect that in a timely manner?

The livewell? Okay - so it get's inspected... what about the intake and drain hoses? Pumps?

It's not exactly 100 degrees outside and these above-mentioned components are wet in my boat from October through July..... so I'm assuming it'll always be considered contaminated when inspected - if the inspection is daily?????


there's potential for a lot of confusion when guys start showing up to Prefish, and having to search for an inspector, then get 'decontaminated........'

If you local folks could continue to point us to the articles, etc. that further clarify, that would be a great value.

Thanks!

-Bob Simard

It always starts out as a small fee..then spreds and grows...they get their foot in the door and each year the fee will grow and grow and grow...The government bureaucacy needs to be decontaminated and have it's bilge checked...This is PURE B.S. it is just the start of a new revenue generating scam...Fish and Game has just trained dogs to sniff out these mussels..these dogs need handlers, food, shelter, transportation,vets and so on...No inspection will stop the spread, real prevention will take other than more government employees.JMHO......

[shifterpilot2001]

I have heard some new news regarding all the concern of just one inspection per year... That would only be the case for residents\visitors of Lake County who never launched thier boat out of County. ANYONE who launches thier boat in any other body of water out of County is required to have it inspected again EVERYTIME....Going to be alot of inspections for all you Tournament guys who travel... Make sure EVERYTHING is dry people when you go to get inspection...

I honestly dont think this is the Local Governments way of creating a new fee frivilously, they are truly concerned of this mussel becoming a problem, Now the idea at this time might not be adequate to stop the mussel, but it is what they have thought of in such short notice, I am sure it will be refined in time...I deal with the local government offices DAILY, and see the rediculous fees they charge and create regulary, this is not one of them.... lol... If it was you would know it, because it would be high, not free for a few months, then small fee thereafter....

Mike Conser

[Bob Simard]

Now the idea at this time might not be adequate to stop the mussel, but it is what they have thought of in such short notice, I am sure it will be refined in time...

It's the urge to "Do something - NOW!" and the general public's acceptance of it that takes away freedoms we've had (and pay for). These freedoms are rarely if ever given back.

Governement entities-programs are funded in part based on size. The more resources required, people - infrastructure, the more power the specific entity has. Over time, the underlying motive is to remain big at a minimum and ideally to expand. Effectivenss quickly becomes secondary.

And many times, as in the case, the initial premise

"We can stop the spread of quagga and zebra mussels through inspections"

is flawed - as I believe is the case here.

These creatures begin breeding in 54 degree water and produce millions of larvae each, a season. These larvae - veligers - are microscopic and do not attach themselves to anything the first 3 weeks after successful spawn.

Think of a inspecting for a water-bourne bacteria.... how many internal parts on a boat NOT VISIBLE hold water? What about wakeboard boat bladders?

WE MUST DO SOMETHING! Then GD- it - Do something that works, or move on to the next problem. It's human nature to want to "fix everything." That's a false premise however.........

When's the last time you cranked the dam at Oroville. Before bouying that sucker off, anyone step to figure out the size of blast it would take to punch a hole in it? Nothing short of a tactical nuke would be effective. Yet no longer do we crank the dam - Yet surprisingly our trucks are broken into by those on crank lurking in the parking lot!

Freedom gone.

For you out there who say "we gotta do our part" and "they're only trying to help", I'd urge you to spend a little time first researching the topic, then spend a little time using critical thought before yielding to the urge to "Do our part - Something!"

While some would consider this a lot of political commententary, it's driven NOT BY my concern for the spread of quagga and zebra mussles, but for the "look ahead" a year or so down the road when there's lines 30 - 40 deep to get my daily inspection....... OR by not issuing permits to tournament circuits that travel all together. I don't care what county you live in, you pull that freakin boat out of the water, there's no garaunty you didn't put it in another before coming back.

What next?

I heard a rumor from a guy who knew a guy whose sister's husband caught a Northern Pike in Clearlake, while on the same day had a blackbird hit his deck dead (suspected of bird flu), was stung by a 'very aggressive' bee - a 'killer bee', and was swarmed by Medflys all in a single day last summer.

OMG we've got to DO SOMETHING!

For those of you wishing to air your thoughts/concerns to public officials, I URGE YOU TO DO SO

Send emails to

Jerry Gillham - City Manager at jgillham@cityoflakeport.com

and

Anthony Farrington - County Supervisor at anthonyf@co.lake.ca.us


See you in line - I hope we make blast off!

-Bob Simard

[TWinger]

Sent my e mail. Kept it short and sweet. Let them know I will not spend my time or money there with these knee jerk reactions.

[TWinger]

Here is the return

Re: ‏
From: Anthony Farrington (anthonyf@co.lake.ca.us)
Sent: Tue 4/01/08 10:38 AM
To: troy_winger@hotmail.com

Dear Mr. Winger, We would be more then happy to hear any ideas that you may have in orderto better protect our lake from a mussel infestation. If you do notwish to comply with our regulations that we are enacting in order tobetter protect our lake and our economy then you may want to consideranother lake. Sincerely,Anthony W. FarringtonLake County District Four