Clear Lake Splash In
Invasive Species Inspection Requirements
This page has been created for Seaplane pilots attending the Splash-In to assist them in complying with new requirements put in place by the County of Lake and to ensure continued access to Clear Lake by Seaplanes. After reviewing the information on this page go to the very bottom of the page, enter the required information and click Acknowledged to continue your registration
If you are NOT going to be landing on Clear Lake, please click here to complete your registration without reviewing the Invasive Species Alert & Requirements.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Invasive Species Alert
LAKE COUNTY REQUIREMENTS FOR 2009
Effective April 8, 2008, all boats (watercraft) require an Inspection Sticker prior to launching in Lake County waters to protect our lakes from invasive quagga and zebra mussels. Find out more by calling the Lake County Mussel Hotline at (707) 263-2556 or go visit Lake County Mussel Information (most of the information from this website is located below for your convenience Be Advised there are penalties for failing to comply with this ordinance After the tremendous success of our registration efforts last year, the County of Lake has greatly simplified the registration requirements for this years Clear Lake Splash-In. It is imperative that we maintain our high level of compliance with the County requirements in order to ensure the continued success of this process. After you have reviewed this page, you will be given the opportunity to complete the County of Lake Inspection Sticker Application and print a copy that you can bring with you to the Splash-In. The Fee for the sticker is now included in your Clear Lake Splash-In Seaplane registration fee. Your stickers will be available at the registration table at Natural High School when you arrive at the Splash-In beginning Friday, Sept 25th at Noon. Please not that the requirement to mail your form to the County and receive confirmation of it's acceptance in advance has been removed. The following information is from the Lake County Invasive Mussel Prevention Program website Lake County Invasive Mussel Prevention Program - Frequently Asked Questions Lake County Invasive Mussel Prevention Program - Frequently Asked Questions document (document will open in a new window) Lake County Invasive Mussel Prevention Program The Lake County Board of Supervisors passed an ordinance (Lake County Ordinance 2866) to protect the water bodies of Lake County from possible quagga and zebra mussel infestation. This ordinance: Requires a mandatory inspection for any water vessel prior to launching in a Lake County water body. This applies to all motorized and non-motorized vessels including boats, kayaks, canoes, jet skis, inflatable rafts, etc. All vessels are required to obtain an Inspection Sticker prior to launching. Establishes a fee-based inspection program effective July 1, 2008. Bans the disposal of live bait and any liquid that contains or has contained live bait into Lake County water bodies. Your cooperation and assistance in educating others about this threat is critical to the protection of Lake County lakes and fisheries. Detailed information about the inspection program is provided here for your convenience. For further information, please call the Lake County Mussel Hotline at (707) 263-2556. Lake County Invasive Mussel Prevention Program - Inspection Process All vessel owners/operators are required to have inspection stickers on their vessels prior to launching on any water bodies in Lake County. INSPECTION PROCESS As part of the inspection process, an inspection application form, which includes an affidavit, must be completed, signed, and submitted, along with payment for the initial screening fee. Vessel owner/operators will be asked a few simple questions and will need to complete and sign an inspection form, pay the fee, and then an inspection sticker(s) will be issued. Instructions on where to affix the sticker will be provided with the sticker. To streamline the process and save time, download the inspection form and complete it in advance. Be sure to have your boat (Seaplane) registration numbers (CF# (N#)) for ALL of your registered vessels that need a sticker. If, during the initial screening, it is determined that a physical inspection of the vessel is required in order to obtain an inspection sticker, details will be provided as to where and when to take the vessel for the physical inspection. INSPECTION FEES Effective July 1, 2008, County-operated screening and inspection services require fees as follows: Initial screening fee: The fee for initial screening by County personnel is $10. If a water vessel passes initial screening, an inspection sticker will be issued. If a water vessel does not pass initial screening, further inspection by a certified inspector will be required. Certified inspection fee: If a vessel requires further inspection by a certified inspector, the fee for a certified inspection by County personnel is based on the length and type of water vessel, as follows: Vessels up to 12 feet in length: $15 Vessels from 12 to 18 feet: $25 Vessels 18 feet and longer: $40 Vessels that contain ballast tanks and/or bladders shall be charged an additional $20 per inspection If a water vessel passes certified inspection, an inspection sticker will be issued. For non-local water vessels, the stickers will be valid through the end of the calendar year in which they are issued. The sticker color will change each year; for 2008, the stickers are teal. If a water vessel does not pass certified inspection, the vessel will not be allowed to launch until the vessel has been decontaminated and re-inspected by a certified inspector. INSPECTION LOCATIONS Many resort owners and marina operators offer this service to their guests and customers, and several local bait shops and marine-related businesses offer this vessel screening/inspection service to the public as well. Refer to the up-to-date list of inspection locations.
Please review the following procedures as well
The following information is taken from a flyer published by the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force
We recommend that you visit their Stop Aquatic Hitchikers website
User Specific Prevention Procedures: Seaplane pilots
Seaplanes can transport Aquatic Hitchhiker species between water bodies on their floats. It is important to clean the aircraft and remove all plant fragments or attached mussels before traveling, rather than after landing in new waters. Pilots are advised to include these steps into their flight operations. As always, safety is the first priority when using the guidelines.
Before entering the aircraft - Inspect/remove plants from floats, wires or cables, and water rudders; In infested water, check transom, bottom, chine, wheel wells, and float step area. Pump water from floats. Use these methods to kill aquatic hitchhiker species: Wash/spray floats with hot or high-pressure water; Dry for 5 days. Before takeoff - Do not taxi through heavy aquatic plant growth prior to takeoff; Raise and lower water rudders to clear off plants, minimize cable stretch and improve steering effectiveness. After takeoff - Raise/lower water rudders several times to free aquatic plant fragments while over the waters you are leaving or land; If aquatic plants remain visible on the plane, return and remove them. Storage or Mooring - Remove aircraft from the water and allow parts to dry. Summer temperatures will kill adult zebra mussels (longer time is required for cool, humid weather); Aircraft moored for extended periods may have mussels attached and should be cleaned regularly. In remote locations, zebra mussels or other aquatic hitchhiker species may be present. If no cleaning equipment is available, the best prevention option is to hand-clean the submerged floats with a scrub brush and to physically remove any attached life.
Additional Links & Information - (Links will open in a new window)
California Department of Fish & Game
County of Lake Inspection Sticker Application (only if you do not wish to continue with the online registration process)
Please complete the following to proceed to the next step
By entering your first & last name and aircraft N#: and clicking the Acknowledged button you are acknowledging the following: I have reviewed the above information regarding Invasive Species and will ensure I am in compliance prior to landing on Clear Lake. You will be taken to the checkout page. After you have completed checkout and we have processed your registration, you will receive an email containing a registration verification AND the Lake County Invasive Species Permit form (It may be 2-3 days before you receive this email). Be sure to complete this form, print it, sign it and bring it with you to the Splash-In. Please Note: The Requirement to mail you form to the county has been eliminated. Stickers will be available at the Natural High School Registration Table beginning Friday, Sept 25th at Noon.