Thursday, March 28, 2024

Dec. 14 Town Hall to discuss watercraft inspections at Lake Chelan

Voluntary inspection program aims to prevent spread of invasive species

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CHELAN - The public is invited to a town hall event on Dec. 14 to learn about a watercraft inspection program coming next year at Lake Chelan.
The town hall is 5 to 7 p.m. on Dec. 14 at Chelan Fire & Rescue Hall, 232 E. Wapato Ave. in Chelan.
With more than 2 million tourists annually visiting Lake Chelan and its pristine waters, tourism has become a primary economic driver for the region. Residents living in the area also depend on Lake Chelan to provide potable water for domestic and agricultural use.
 A recent assessment of aquatic invasive species, or AIS, shows that Lake Chelan is at a high risk for invasive mussels. (The AIS Assessment is available at http://bit.ly/3iFyfyC) The establishment of invasive mussels at Lake Chelan would have long-term impacts to the water quality there and, as a result, the local economy.
 At the town hall event, Chelan County Natural Resources staff will talk about preventative measures that could be taken to protect Lake Chelan, including the introduction of watercraft inspections. Funding from the National Park Service will be used to launch a voluntary mobile watercraft inspection program in 2023. The county is also looking at a mandatory inspection program for the future.
 For more information, visit the Natural Resources website (http://bit.ly/3iFyfyC) or the Keep it Blue campaign website (https://keepitbluelakechelan.org/).
 
 

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