Tahoe getting tough on speeding boaters

Regulators at Lake Tahoe say they plan to crack down this year on boaters, jet skis and others who zoom to close to shore.

The no-wake zone that extends 600 feet from shore all the way around the alpine lake has been on the books since the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency imposed a 5 mph speed limit in 1999.

Sheriff's deputies routinely enforce a smaller 200-foot zone. But until now, TRPA officials haven't had the means to patrol the larger area.

Watercraft manager Dennis Zabaglo says that's changing thanks to a new program that puts agency officials on the water to enforce the rules to cut boat noise, protect wildlife and people.

Violators get one warning, but civil penalties go as high as $5,000.