WARNING:
Many two-stroke engines have been banned on Lake Tahoe and other area lakes. See details below.

The following information is reprinted courtesy of the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA),
the bi-state (CA and NV) regulatory agency which established these boating ordinances.

A Consumer's Guide To Boating Lake Tahoe Clean Boating Practices Mean Better Water Quality

Studies have shown that carbureted two-stroke engines may discharge up to 20-30% of their fuel, unburned, into the air and water.  In order to reduce the impact of motorized vessels on water quality, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) has adopted new regulations, effective June 1, 1999, restricting the use of certain marine engines on lakes in the Tahoe Region.  This information was published as part of a cooperative effort among TRPA, the State of California, and the State of Nevada, to inform boaters about the new rules and help them determine whether their watercraft can be used on affected lakes, including Lake Tahoe.

In addition, TRPA has adopted an ordinance that establishes a 600-foot no-wake zone around Lake Tahoe to minimize the noise impacts of motorized watercraft on residents, visitors and wildlife.  The speed limit for all vessels is 5 miles per hour or less in a zone extending from the shoreline to 600 feet from the shore.  These standards are enforced by the TRPA Watercraft Team. It operates a patrol boat on the Lake seven days a week from May through September each year. You may contact them by calling “Marine 14” on VHF radio hailing channel 16.

For more information please call the TRPA Watercraft Enforcement Team at 888-508-8772, from May through September only.

The following engines are still allowed on lakes in the Tahoe Region:

• Direct fuel injection (DFI) two-stroke engines
• Two-stroke engines that meet the California Air Resources Board 2001 or the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 2006 emissions standard
• All four stroke personal watercraft engines
• All four stroke gasoline or diesel sterndrive/inboard engines
• All four stroke outboard engines
   

The following engines are no longer legal on Tahoe Region lakes:

Any engine that does not meet the U.S. EPA 2006 or the California Air Resources Board (CARB) 2001 emissions standard, including:

• Electronically Fuel Injected (EFI) or Rotax Fuel Injected (RFI) two-stroke engines purchased before January 27, 1999
• Any carbureted two-stroke engines
• Any engine that meets the US EPA 2001 standard only

These new requirements will be in effect on all lakes within the Tahoe Region.

The following personal watercraft are approved for use on Lake Tahoe:

All direct fuel injected (DFI) jet skis or personal watercraft are accectable well into the foreseeable future. Personal watercraft must meet EPA 2006 or CARB 2001 Standards!

As of May 2006 some of the legally accepted models of personal watercraft are:

This list is an example of known vendors and models at this time. Other makes and models may be acceptable for use on Tahoe Region lakes. Please check with the equipment dealer or manufacturer if unsure.

FAQ's - Frequently Asked Questions about the Regulations on Lake Tahoe

Q:  Where do these engine regulations apply?
A:  These regulations apply on Lake Tahoe, Echo Lake, Cascade Lake and Fallen Leaf Lake.

Q:  Who can enforce the ordinances?
A:   The TRPA Watercraft Team enforces the ordinances and the states and local counties may give warnings based on the ordinances. It operates a patrol boat on the lake seven days a week from May through September each year.

Q:  How can I tell if my two-stroke engine is direct fuel injected?
A:  At this time, all engines that are direct fuel injected are labeled with either a Ficht™ or Optimax™ logo, or HPDI (Yamaha).

Q:  How can I tell if my two-stroke engine is electronically fuel injected?
A: All engines with this feature are labeled as "electronic fuel injection" or "EFI". These engines are now banned from Tahoe area lakes as of 10/1/01.

Q:  How can I tell if my two-stroke engine meets the EPA 2006 or CARB 2001 standard?
A:  At this time, the only two-stroke engines that meet either standard are direct fuel injected (DFI), and are labeled with either a Ficht™ or Optimax™ logo. Recent regulations of the California Air Resources Board require all new two-stroke engines that comply with the CARB 2001 standard to have a manufacturer's label affixed showing the emission level.  Some manufacturers have voluntarily labeled new engines to show that they meet the standards.

Q:  Can I sell my engine if it does not comply with Lake Tahoe emissions laws?
A:  Yes, these engines may still be used in other waters.  Consult your local dealer about sales, trade-ins or purchasing a new, compliant motor.

Q:  What can I do to limit the environmental impacts of boating?

• Make sure your older engine is tuned for the altitude of Lake Tahoe (elev. 6225 feet). 
• Always follow the instructions in the owner's manual or seek the advice of your dealer.
• Never attempt yourself to alter or adjust new technology outboard and personal watercraft (PWC) engines.
• Check, clean and flush your engine well away from the water.
• Check and add engine lubricating oil only in designated areas.
• Do not wash engine parts on or near the lake -use proper containers and disposal techniques.
• Refuel personal watercraft (PWC) and boats away from the lake whenever possible or use fuel spill prevention devices.
• Have gas and oil leaks repaired immediately upon detection.
• Use bilge pillows and engine pads to absorb oil and fuel, and dispose of them properly.
• Unless there is an emergency, avoid pump out of bilge except in designated areas.
• Use proper disposal methods for contaminated bilge water.
   

For further questions contact:
TRPA Watercraft Enforcement Team
P.O. Box 5310
Stateline, NV 89449-5310
E-mail: wet@trpa.org
775-588-4547, ext. 298

Information above reprinted courtesy of:
Tahoe Regional Planning Agency
128 Market St.
P.O. Box 5310
Stateline, NV 89449-5310