Mussel inspections pay off quickly

It was just this past spring that Montana passed legislation to more than double the number of boat inspection stations in the state, an investment that appears to have paid off already.

Three mussel-encrusted boats were intercepted in Montana last month at three different inspection stations in the state.

Over Memorial Day weekend, a fouled vessel from the Great Lakes region headed for Yellowstone Park was stopped and decontaminated on the eastern border at Wibaux. Another boat headed for Canada was stopped and decontaminated in Hardin.

In an incident that hits even closer to home, the Blackfeet Nation intercepted a mussel-contaminated boat May 21 headed for the Flathead Valley. The boat was stopped by inspectors at the reservation’s watercraft inspection station in Seville. Inspectors found the tiny mussels in one of the boat’s compartments.

The boat inspectors manning the front line of defense against invasive mussels should be applauded for their diligence. Each of these success stories highlights the important role they play in keeping Montana’s lakes and rivers pristine and free of costly invasives.

Yet, it’s also obvious that many boaters aren’t being as vigilant as they need to be in ensuring that their watercraft has been properly decontaminated. All vehicles carrying watercraft in Montana are required to stop at all inspection stations, and boaters should always follow the “Clean, Drain, Dry” protocol after each use.

To learn more about watercraft inspections visit online at http://fwp.mt.gov/fishAndWildlife/species/ais/