Tribes open watercraft inspection station

The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes have opened a watercraft inspection station on the Salish Kootenai College campus, as part of the tribal government’s response to last year’s first-ever detection of invasive mussel larvae in Montana waters.

The station will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and will be located next to the Joe McDonald Health and Fitness Center, according to a press release issued Tuesday.

On March 23, the tribes closed all waters on the Flathead Indian Reservation to motorized vessels and those requiring a trailer for transport — with the exception of Flathead Lake and the Lower Flathead River. The closure also requires that all permitted watercraft be inspected prior to launch on tribal waters.

Felt-soled waders, which can potentially act as a vector for invasive mussel larvae, have also been prohibited on tribal waters.

Penalties for violating the emergency closures may include confiscation of watercraft and suspension and/or revocation of fishing, hunting and recreation licenses along with monetary fines.

For more information, contact Paula Webster, Tom McDonald or Germaine White at 406-675-2700.