Officials battling spread of invasive mussels

By Cy Ryan (contact)

Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2008 | 2:50 p.m.

CARSON CITY – State and federal officials are joining forces to prevent an invasive species in Lake Mead from spreading to Lake Tahoe and other bodies of water.

Steve Chilton of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said if the Quagga mussels hit Lake Tahoe, it could spread to the Truckee River through Reno into Pyramid Lake. All boats entering Lake Tahoe are inspected and “high risk” craft are banned until they are cleaned of Quagga mussels.

Allen Biaggi, director of the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, says steps are being taken to protect other Nevada waters and also lakes in California.

Chilton, talking to the state Advisory Board on Natural Resources, gave the example of a 32-foot boat from Lake Mead that the owner wanted to launch in Lake Tahoe. The inspector discovered the species and told the owner “No way are we going to allow mussels in my lake.”

The inspection turned up the mussels in the transmission and engine.

These species can cause “severe harm to fishing, destroy engines in boats, clog drinking water pipes” and can end up on beaches with “razor sharp” shells that injure people walking in the area.

Board vice chairman Mike Pavlakis asked Chilton what’s being done in Lake Mead. “There is not a lot of oversight,” he said. “It needs tightening,” talking about the required inspections.

Cy Ryan may be reached at (775) 687-5032 or cy@lasvegassun.com.