Tahoe agency won’t exempt small boat engines from phaseout

Thursday, Dec. 18, 1997 | 9:26 a.m.

Instead, the TRPA's board agreed Wednesday to research how any changes would affect its chances in the lawsuit filed by marine engine manufacturers and Lake Tahoe boaters and boat rental and sales companies.

And the agency will oversee research next summer that could answer questions about the relative contribution of smaller engines on the amount of gasoline pollution caused by two-stroke engines at the lake.

Jim Galloway, a Washoe County commissioner who represents the county on the TRPA board, had suggested a three-year extension for owners of two-cycle engines with less than 10 horse power.

He also suggested that residents of Echo Lake be given the same grace period, since many of those residents rely on boats powered by outboard motors for access to their properties. He suggested that the deadline might be relaxed for Echo Lake engines smaller than 25 horse power.

Galloway said the smaller two-cycle engines contribute a small part of the pollution at Lake Tahoe caused by all two-cycle engines.

He added the difference between auxiliary and trolling engines, compared with larger two-cycle engines, is that the larger engines, when installed in personal watercraft, are usually operated at full throttle.

The TRPA voted earlier to phase out carbureted two-stroke engines from Lake Tahoe because of evidence the engines discharge a fourth of their fuel and lubrication unburned into the water.

The phaseout is aimed at cutting gasoline pollution. But the TRPA mandate applies equally to small engines and big engines that can emit as much raw gasoline in an hour as a smaller engine might use in a month.