|
NPS Photo
This is the lower unit from a power boat used at a testing area from Lake Mead. We can not let this infestation happen at Lake Powell!
New Invasive Mussel Prevention Requirements on Lake Powell
In response to the continued and growing threat of the introduction of quagga and zebra mussels at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, new requirements for Lake Powell boaters will be in effect during the main boating season of 2009. Effective Nov 1, 2009, self-certification of watercraft will no longer be an option at Wahweap Main and Bullfrog launch ramps and screening for the invasive mussels by trained personnel will be mandatory for all vessels. Trained personnel will be availale daily for screening from 7:00am until 5:00pm (see below for new winter hours, ed.) at Wahweap and Bullfrog. Launching will be prohibited outside of these hours. Violators face a mandatory court appearance, up to 6 months in jail, and a $5000 fine.
The monitoring of boats arriving at Lake Powell will be a collaborative and on-going effort among the partner agencies and restrictions may be modified as the threat of infestation is monitored. Keeping Lake Powell mussel-free is essential to maintaining the economic and ecological vitality of the resource and surrounding communities and region.
Boaters are encouraged to continue to help stop the spread of invasive mussels by making sure their vessels and boating equipment are cleaned, drained, and completely dry before moving to a new body of water, make sure that any boats being moved from infested waters to non-infested waters are properly decontaminated prior to launching. We ask for your assistance in this effort by calling (928) 608-6301, or 1-800-582-4531 if you see anyone launching outside the designated hours listed above.
New winter hours: Zebra Mussel Interdiction Hours for Winter 2009-2010
Effective November 1, 2009, the National Park Service will implement winter season hours of operation for mandatory mussel interdiction services at Lake Powell. These temporary changes to mussel interdiction services are being made to accommodate the seasonal reductions in visitation and park staffing.
Winter season zebra mussel interdiction service hours are as follows:
- NPS Mussel Interdiction Rangers will be on duty 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (local time) daily for boat inspection and decontamination at Wahweap and Bullfrog. Boat launching will be authorized at the Wahweap Main Launch Ramp and Bullfrog Launch Ramp during these hours. Launch ramps will be closed outside the 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. hours of operation.
- The Stateline Launch Ramp will be closed for the winter season, effective November 1.
- The launching of any motorized watercraft will be prohibited at Lone Rock Beach and Stanton Creek Beach, effective November 1.
- Effective October 19, the public launch ramp at Antelope will be closed to all boat launching. Antelope Point Marina will maintain fee-service valet launching at their ramp from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily throughout the winter season.
- Individuals wishing to launch at Halls Crossing or Hite must be self-certified. On-call boat inspectors will be available.
The reduced hours of operation and the temporary closure of some public launch ramps will allow the National Park Service to maintain critical zebra mussel interdiction efforts over the winter months. Staffing levels traditionally decline during these months. The NPS will be able to maintain a pro-active zebra mussel prevention program by focusing available staff on a reduced number of launching points during winter daylight hours.
These winter season hours of operation are in effect through spring 2010.
|
