Glacier Park tightens boat inspections
Starting this week, Glacier National Park is stepping up its boat inspection and permit program due to the rapid westward migration of aquatic invasive species on recreational watercraft.
The consequences of an invasive species infestation in park waters could be devastating to ecosystems and the local economy, according to a news release from Glacier.
Visitors can still launch most motorized and trailered watercraft in the park. However, a thorough boat inspection is required upon every entry to the park.
Hand-propelled watercraft are not required to obtain permits, though park managers encourage all boaters to thoroughly clean, drain, and dry their watercraft and/or fishing equipment before coming to the park.
Following are the features of the 2011 inspection program:
• A free permit is required to launch any motorized or trailered watercraft in Glacier Park. Hand-propelled water craft and passive floatation devices such as float tubes do not require a permit.
• A new permit is required upon each entry into the park. Permits are no longer valid for 14 days. A boat may launch multiple times provided the boat does not leave the park between launches.
• A thorough inspection is required for each permit.
• Inspections may take upwards of 30 minutes, depending on the complexity of the boat.
• To receive a permit, boats must be clean, drained and thoroughly dry (including bilge areas and live wells) upon inspection.
• Though launch hours are not restricted, inspection hours are limited. Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, permits are available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at park headquarters and 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at all other locations. Permits are available the rest of the year between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at various locations throughout the park. Call ahead for specific locations: (406) 888-7800.
• Permits and inspections are available at headquarters at West Glacier, St. Mary Visitor Center, Two Medicine Ranger Station, Polebridge entrance station and Many Glacier Ranger Station.
• Boaters on Waterton Lake must comply with permit and inspection requirements of Parks Canada.
• Boats with internal ballast tanks or other enclosed compartments that exchange water with the environment and that cannot be readily opened and fully inspected are prohibited in Glacier National Park. Boats failing inspection will be denied permits. Boaters may reapply for a permit after their boat is thoroughly cleaned, drained and dried.
• Boats found with infestations of aquatic invasive species may be quarantined until they are fully decontaminated. This may take up to 30 days.
On the Web:
For rules and regulations on boating, go to www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/boating.htm.
For more information on aquatic invasive species, go to www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/ais.htm.