The East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) announces changes to its boat inspection and banding policies effective May 7, 2025, in response to increasing concerns about invasive mussel species. EBRPD has long required watercraft inspections to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species into local lakes and reservoirs. To simplify re-entry for frequent visitors, park staff have used tamper-proof bands placed between the watercraft and trailer when the boat leaves the lake. These bands serve as proof that the vessel hadn’t launched in other waters. Boats returning with an intact band have not required re-inspection when entering any lake in the Park District or the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD). What’s new for summer 2025 is that EBRPD’s banding program is transitioning to color-coded, lake-specific bands and is no longer accepting EBMUD bands, effective May 7.