[Water_news] 3. DWR'S CALIFORNIA WATER NEWS: WATERSHEDS - 1/10/08

Department of Water Resources

California Water News

A daily compilation of significant news articles and comment

 

January 10, 2008

 

3. Watersheds

 

Fishermen plead to keep access to Lake Casitas

Ventura County Star – 1/10/08

By Zeke Barlow, staff writer

 

Fearing they could lose access to one of the premier bass fishing lakes in the West, fishermen turned out en masse Wednesday night for a meeting to discuss the possibility of closing Lake Casitas to outside boats in order to ward off a quagga mussel invasion.

 

"When there is a buzz that you might shut one of the best bass fishing lakes in the country, you have our attention," said Ron Cervenka, a fishing tournament director who was one of more than 70 people who crowded into the Casitas Municipal Water District's board meeting. "These guys are taking it very seriously."

 

Though no action was taken beyond agreeing to look into various ways to keep the quagga mussel from entering the lake, fishermen pleaded with the board to not rush into any decision and consider the many social, fiscal and recreational implications of closing the lake to outside boats.

 

The board is concerned that the tiny, exotic mussel could enter the lake on a boat and cause untold financial ramifications. The mussels can produce up to a million offspring a year, clogging drains, destroying valves and altering ecosystems. Board member Rich Handley said that while the district wants to work with fishermen, its first priority is to protect the lake's water system, which supplies water to much of western Ventura County.

 

"If we did get a quagga mussel infestation, it could financially devastate this district," he said. "This is really a critical issue for us to make the right decision on."

 

But California Department of Fish and Game biologist Mike Giusti said that while the district is wise to look into the potential of an infestation, he thinks a permanent closing of the lake is premature.

 

Of the five lakes that have been infected over the past year, all received water via the Colorado River Aqueduct system. Lake Casitas gets most of its water from the Ventura River. The mussel was first found in Lake Mead, upstream from the aqueduct, in January. It was believed to be transmitted there by a boat, Giusti said.

 

Board members have talked about many possibilities, including a one-year ban on day-use boats and allowing more fishermen to store their boats at the lake for exclusive use there. Rental boats would still be available.

 

But fishermen said they, too, have a vested interest in keeping the mussel from the lake and would do everything they could to keep it out.

 

Cervenka said tournament members are diligent about washing their boats after every use, draining all lake water and making sure no aquatic plants are attached. It's done not only to stop spreading of any invasive species, but also to keep the boats that can cost $70,000 looking pretty, he said.

 

"You aren't going to find boats much cleaner than those at bass tournaments," he said. The lake has about 30,000 boats launched onto it every year. A preliminary staff report showed that a ban on boats could cost the lake about $695,000 annually in lost revenue.

 

Cervenka said fishermen are constantly being educated on how their fishery could change, or possibly be restricted, and they are doing what they can to protect it.

 

Ever since fishermen found out about the item being put on the agenda at the last minute, the local fishing community has been buzzing with talk of the lake closing to outside boats.

 

Eric Huff, who owns Eric's Tackle Shop in Ventura, said his store has been swamped with calls from people wondering what may happen. He said he's been talking to an attorney to look into fighting any closure.

 

His bigger fear is that if Lake Casitas closes, there will be a domino effect around the state and a larger reduction in the lakes available to fishermen.

 

Oxnard fisherman Lee Baermann agreed with others that the board seemed to have made up its mind and closure is a foregone conclusion.

 

The board said it will take up the issue again at its first meeting in February. Until then, staff members will look at options for keeping the lake open, including potentially investing in a hot-water cleaner that could cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. #

http://www.venturacountystar.com/news/2008/jan/10/fishermen-plead-to-keep-access-to-lake-casitas/

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