New boat inspection sticker program begins July 1

Tag : Color Sticker
LAKE COUNTY – Beginning July 1, fees go into effect for thenew phase of the Lake County Invasive Species Inspection Program.


Inspection stickers still are required prior to launching any watervessel on any Lake County water body, and beginning July 1,County-operated screening and inspection services will requirefees.


The fee for initial screening performed by the County is $10. If awater vessel passes initial screening, an inspection sticker willbe issued; if a water vessel does not pass initial screening,further inspection by a certified inspector will be required.


The fee for a certified inspection by County personnel is based onthe length and type of water vessel. For vessels up to 12 feet inlength, the fee is $15. For vessels from 12 to 18 feet, the fee is$25. For vessels 18 feet and longer, the fee is $40. In addition,any vessel that contains ballast tanks and/or bladders shall becharged an additional $20 per inspection.


If a water vessel passes certified inspection, an inspectionsticker will be issued; if a water vessel does not pass certifiedinspection, the vessel will not be allowed to launch until thevessel has been decontaminated and re-inspected by a certifiedinspector.


For local water vessels, stickers are red and are not be subject toan expiration date, unless re-screening or re-inspection isrequired when they return to Lake County. Local vessels include anyvessel registered in Lake County and any non-registered vesselowned by a resident of Lake County. Proof must be provided: a validdriver’s license with a Lake County address; the vesselregistration certificate showing a Lake County address; oralternately, a utility bill showing a Lake County residence and/ora boat-slip lease agreement with a local marina.


For nonlocal water vessels, the sticker color will change eachyear; for 2008, the stickers are teal. These stickers will be validthrough the end of the calendar year in which they are issued.


As part of this inspection process, an inspection application form,which includes an affidavit, must be completed, signed, andsubmitted, along with payment for initial screening fee.Application forms with instructions may be downloaded from the LakeCounty Mussel Web Site at www.co.lake.ca.us/mussels.


INSPECTION LOCATIONS


This fee-based program establishes nominal fees for thosescreenings and inspections performed by County personnel. CurrentCounty-operated screening/inspection locations include:


Department of Public Works
Walk-in hours: Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Lake County Courthouse (third floor)
255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport
707-263-2341


Department of Agriculture
Walk-in hours: Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
833 Lakeport Blvd., Lakeport
707-263-0217


Lake County Visitor Information Center
Walk-in hours: Monday – Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (until 7p.m. on Fridays); Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
6110 E. Highway 20, Lucerne
707-274-5652; 800-LAKESIDE


Several local bait shops and marine-related businesses will offerthis vessel screening/inspection service to the public, and manyresort owners and marina operators will offer this service to theirguests and customers.


The Lake County Board of Supervisors passed an ordinance to protectthe water bodies of Lake County from the significant and imminentthreat posed by invasive quagga and zebra mussel infestation. Theordinance:


Requires all vessels to have inspection stickers prior to launchingon any Lake County water body. This applies to all motorized andnon-motorized vessels including boats, kayaks, canoes, jet skis,inflatable rafts, etc.
Bans the disposal of live bait and any liquid that contains or hascontained live bait into Lake County water bodies.
Establishes the Lake County Invasive Species Inspection Program,which began April 8, with screening and inspections available at nocost through June 30, and a nominal fee structure beginning July 1.


Application forms must be postmarked by June 30 in order to qualifyfor no-cost screening.


For information about this program or to locate the most convenientinspection location, go online to the Lake County Mussel Web Siteat www.co.lake.ca.us/mussels , or call the Lake County Mussel Hotline at (707) 263-2556.


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