Aquatic Invasive Species Economic Impacts
This standard was retired on May 22, 2024. See the Governing Board staff report at https://www.trpa.gov/wp-content/uploads/Agenda-Item-No-IX-A-Threshold-Carrying-Capacities-Threshold-Standards.pdf for more information. The content on this page is archived and available for evaluations prior to May 2024, but will not be updated or maintained for future evaluations.
The updated Aquatic Invasive Species standards adopted in May 2024 may be found at: https://thresholds.laketahoeinfo.org/ThresholdReportingCategory/Detail/AquaticInvasiveSpecies
Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention
No Active Aquatic Invasive Plant Infestations
Reduce Average Aquatic Invasive Plant Abundance in the Tahoe Keys
The standard articulates one of the broad goals of the Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) program, to reduce the economic impacts of AIS in Lake Tahoe. AIS are non-native organisms that threaten the abundance and diversity of native organisms in Lake Tahoe. Non-native species have been intentionally and unintentionally introduced to the Tahoe Basin over the last 150 years. Economic impacts of AIS can include potential costs to tourism, property owners, boaters, and maintenance. Watercraft inspection stations around the Region seek to prevent the introduction of new aquatic invasive species to Lake Tahoe, and there are numerous projects to remove existing AIS infestations.
2019 Evaluation
- Status
- Insufficient Data to Determine Status or No Target Established
- Trend
- Insufficient Data to Determine Trend
- Confidence
- Not available
Applicable Standard
WQ12: Abate harmful economic impacts resulting from aquatic invasive species.
Key Points
- The six AIS threshold standards (WQ9-WQ14) express broad AIS program goals that are not objectively measured. The Tahoe Science Advisory Council recommended in September 2020 that the standards be removed as threshold standards, and replaced if necessary, with specific measurable statements of desired outcomes.
- The estimated costs of a potential dreissenid mussel infestation to tourism/property owners/boat and maintenance is between $22 to $78 million per year.
About the Threshold
Rationale Details
- Because the harmful economic impacts have not been quantified, the status of this standard is unknown due to insufficient data.
- Because the harmful economic impacts have not been quantified, the status of this standard is unknown due to insufficient data.
Confidence Details
Additional Figures and Resources
No photos available.
No documents available.