Boaters on Lake Powell must now have federal inspectors check their craft for zebra or quagga mussels before entering the water.
The new rules announced on Wednesday by the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area go into effect at the end of the month. A boater "self-certification" program in place since 2007 will be discontinued at all but remote launch sites.
The inspection rules apply to all of Lake Powell's major launch ramps. Hours of operation will vary but generally cover daylight hours. Ramps will be closed when inspectors aren't present.
Under the self-certification program, boaters were asked a number of questions that included whether their boat had been in the water during the past 30 days. Depending on the answer, boats would have to be screened. Leah McGinnis, a spokeswoman for the recreation area, said a number of people had disregarded the process and just launched their boats. "It's a real concern to us," she said. The thumb-sized mussels can clog pipes and gum up waterworks and pose a threat to water systems across the West. They were accidentally introduced to the Great Lakes in the ballast of ships from eastern Europe and the Ukraine and were first discovered west of the Rockies in January 2007 in Lake Mead. Glen Canyon has set aside $1.5 million for three years to implement the mandatory rules. The money comes from entrance fees, McGinnis said. Fourteen staff members have been assigned to do the screening that takes less than a minute. Boats identified to pose a risk will be decontaminated at one of four marinas. "We want to make it as easy as possible for visitors to enjoy Lake Powell without compromising the effort to keep the lake mussel free," said Glen Canyon Superintendent Stan Austin.
