Poisoning considered again to rid Lake Davis of trout

A number of local residents and several California politicians remain just as opposed to the idea as they were when the Department of Fish and Game dumped thousands of gallons of fish-killing chemicals in the lake in October 1997.

That poisoning was intended to eradicate the pike and keep them from destroying trout fishing at the lake about 45 miles northwest of Reno, in addition to protecting popular sport-fishing areas downstream.

But less than two years later, at least 30 pike have been detected. And another attack is being considered, although this time state health officials would run the show in an effort to guard against contamination of drinking water.

"At this point nothing is being ruled out," Fish and Game scientific aide Lori Powers said. "But it's seen as a last resort and something we'd all like to try and avoid."

Although the same problem persists, residents near Lake Davis say things are much different from two years ago.

Rather than being steam-rolled by the department with no say about how to deal with the pike problem, local government officials and residents are members of a steering committee and task force charged with evaluating the pike problem and proposing solutions.

"The two sides are still diametrically opposed, but we're working together this time," Portola resident Bill Powers said.

Portola City Administrator Jim Murphy said the task force is bringing in experts on pike from Alaska, Idaho and Minnesota later this week to evaluate the lake. They will assess the pike problem and make some recommendations next week.

Several California Assembly members and U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., have sent letters to Gov. Gray Davis against poisoning the lake again.

The last poisoning damaged the area's reputation as one of the top fishing and recreation areas in California, hurting the tourist-dependent economy, opponents said.

An even bigger concern to residents was their dependence on the lake as an alternate drinking water source.

When the chemicals failed to dissipate in the two weeks Fish and Game had promised, distrust of the department grew and local governments and residents sued the state. Those suits resulted in new wells so homes weren't dependent on lake water.

Murphy said a majority of local residents are committed to helping Fish and Game deal with the pike without resorting to chemicals.

"At this point, there really isn't any other answer than to work with Fish and Game," he said.

archive