State law change breaks up mooring parties

Boaters who have been "rafting-up," or tying anchored boats together, and partying in mooring areas on Lake Tahoe will have to find someplace else to gather. In response to ongoing complaints from local homeowners and other recreational visitors, The Nevada Board of Wildlife Commissioners unanimously supported a change to boating regulation that prohibits boaters from anchoring in certain designated mooring areas at Lake Tahoe.

The regulation took effect June 18 and will be enforced by state game wardens and officers with the Douglas County Sheriff's office.

"It's a safety issue," said Fred Messmann boating law administrator for NDOW. "When you have too many boats anchored and rafted together within the mooring fields, it makes it very difficult to navigate through them safely. Safety has always been the number one priority for Nevada's game wardens."

The three areas affected by the regulation change are Round Hill Pines Beach, Glenbrook Bay and the Zephyr Cove Marina in Douglas County. While the Wildlife Commission's response was primarily based on safety concerns, Douglas County Sheriff Ron Pierini asked the body to also consider the public's complaints to his office of excessive noise, public nudity, drugs and public intoxication that were occurring in these mooring areas.

"I am looking forward to our marine patrol officers and the Nevada game wardens working together to make boating safe and enjoyable on Lake Tahoe" said Sheriff Pierini.