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BEsT MANAGEMENT PRACTICEs HANDbooK - Tahoe BMP

BEsT MANAGEMENT PRACTICEs HANDbooK - Tahoe BMP

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8.12 BOAT RAMP CONSTRUCTION AND VEHICLE SOURCECONTROL METHODS AND DESIGN8.12.1 OVERVIEWWith shoreline development comes an increase in demand for lake access byrecreational watercraft. The construction of public and private boat launchesalong lake shores has the potential to degrade sensitive nearshore habitat andincrease the complexity and cost of preventing the potential establishment ofAquatic Invasive Species (AIS) at Lake <strong>Tahoe</strong>.Traditional methods of boat launch construction are known to harm shallowaquatic and benthic communities within the vicinity. Placement of fill or theconstruction of hardened launch surfaces in shallow waters smothers bottomdwellingorganisms, displaces plants and animals and alters local water currentsand other conditions important to aquatic life processes. Boat rampconstruction and vehicle source control as a <strong>BMP</strong> will help reduce theseenvironmental impacts.Boat ramp vehicle source control consists of both practices and facilities.Practices include inspections that are more frequent, encouraging alternativelaunching methods and providing vehicle wash stations to help preventdischarges to the lake during boat launching. Boat ramp construction methodsand design standards include measures to ensure proper placement foroptimum performance, to reduce impacts to littoral processes, and to protectwater quality during construction. 78Boat ramp construction and vehicle source control accomplish multipleobjectives:• Minimize impacts due to the dredging operations which may be requiredduring boat ramp construction.• Minimize future maintenance dredging needs.• Minimize vehicle intrusion into the lake.• Prevent the discharge of road grime solids, salts, greases, and oils directly tothe lake during boat launching.• Prevent further introduction and spread of AIS.This <strong>BMP</strong> is applicable to the construction of new boat ramps, the expansionor rehabilitation of existing boat ramps, the retrofit of existing boat launchingfacilities, and to the operation of existing boat launching facilities during lowwater conditions. In addition, regional policies call for no new dredging and nonew boat ramps or expansion of boat ramps in fish spawning habitat.78USACE, 2008, Coastal Engineering Manual - Parts I-6TRPA <strong>BMP</strong> HandbookCHAPTER 8: Shorezone Protective Structures and <strong>BMP</strong>s2012 8.12 Boat Ramp Construction and Vehicle Source Control Methods and DesignPage 8-77

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