Parks setting hours for boat launching at Tahoe

The Nevada Parks Division is asking for public comment on winter boat ramp hours for Sand Harbor and Cave Rock.

Effective Nov. 1, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency is requiring inspectors be present to check for aquatic invasive species when boat ramps are open at Tahoe. That decision was made because of the danger that Quagga and Zebra mussels might reach the lake by hitchhiking on boats that have been used in waters infected with them.

Since Parks doesn't normally staff every day during the winter, that means setting hours when inspectors will be present to check boats. Officials are holding a call-in and e-mail period for boaters who wish to comment on when those two boat launches should be staffed this winter.

During the summer, both launches have regular staffing schedules.

Participants will be asked whether they operate a motorized boat at Lake Tahoe, what days of the week they use the boat and what hours of the day they use the boat at Tahoe.

The call-in period is 1-4 p.m. Oct. 13-14. The call-in number is 684-2793. The e-mail address is tahoe@parks.nv.gov.