Water resources urges big fee hikes to fund quagga mussel prevention; board delays final decision

Water Resources staff presented a multi-part plan to make Clear Lake's quagga mussel prevention program financially sustainable, citing an estimated annual program cost of roughly $858,000 and current sticker revenue of about $167,000. Thomas Fardig, aquatic invasive species program coordinator, warned of rapid spread and infrastructure risk from quagga, zebra and the newer golden mussel and said prevention is far cheaper than eradication: "One ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure," Fardig said during the presentation. Staff modeled revenue scenarios showing that raising the resident annual sticker from $20 to $60 would reduce grant reliance but that $80 would be needed to reach self-sufficiency.

The presentation included a proposed special-event lake-access permit with a $50 application fee and pass-through inspection costs for large tournaments; staff said large events can require costly dog inspections and ramp-monitor staffing. Dozens of public commenters—tournament organizers, businesses, fisheries advisors and conservation groups—urged more vendor outreach and phased increases to avoid vendor or tournament loss. The Board did not adopt final fees; members asked staff to return in 2–3 months with staged options, vendor input and outreach plans, and endorsed moving forward on an event-permit framework.