Beginning in June, Lake Tahoe boaters will pay a fee to help fund an inspection program to help prevent the introduction of invasive species into the lake. Representatives from the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and Tahoe Resource Conservation District are here to answer your questions in the life chat below.

The fee, which TRPA Governing Board approved March 26, is needed because grant funding that has been used to finance the inspections is running out.

Inspections will expand to more facilities for the summer season May 1 while fees will take effect June 1. This will give boaters the opportunity to have their vessels inspected at certain locations free of charge; boats that stay in Tahoe need only be inspected once if an inspection seal is kept intact.

Inspections began at Tahoe ramps and launch facilities last May. Since November, boaters have been able to launch only at facilities where qualified inspectors are present.

Fees will range from $10 to $60 depending on vessel size. Most boaters will pay $30. A $10 surcharge will apply for vessels with ballast tanks, live wells and bladders. When a vessel comes out of the Lake, an inspection seal will be attached to boats so that they do not have to be inspected or pay a fee again as long as the boat returns with the seal intact. This method will save boaters time and money at the boat ramps.

Here’s how the fee breaks down: Non-motorized vessels: Free Vessels with intact inspection seal: Free Vessels up to 16 feet: $10 Vessels 16 feet to 25 feet: $30 Vessels 25 feet to 39 feet: $40 Vessels over 39 feet: $60 Vessels containing ballast tanks/ bladders/live wells: $10 additional fee