Driver neglected to stop at inspection station
HELENA – A Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks warden stopped a driver pulling a mussel-fouled tugboat after he drove past an aquatic invasive species (AIS) inspection station near Anaconda last week. The driver was traveling from Lake Michigan to the Puget Sound in Washington.
The warden had the driver return to the inspection station, where not only a great amount of mussels were found but also barnacles, indicating the boat was likely in salt water before it went to Lake Michigan. The boat was out of the water for two days, and it is possible that some of the mussels were still viable.
Everything was decontaminated except for the engine flush, due to the size of the vessel. The boat was locked to the trailer, and a follow-up inspection will be needed.
The driver also drove past inspection stations in Broadus and Hardin. The tugboat is the sixth boat this year detected with AIS.
This is a good reminder that it’s the law that anyone transporting watercraft (motorized and nonmotorized) must stop at all open inspection stations they encounter. Watercraft includes paddle boards, kayaks, canoes, rafts and pack rafts. Nonresidents and residents returning home must have their watercraft inspected before launching in Montana. Watercraft must also be drained of all water before transporting.
“AIS enforcement continues to be a priority for Montana game wardens, and we will continue to do our part in this on-going fight,” said FWP Game Warden Chief Ron Howell.
Watercraft inspection stations are Montana’s first line of defense to prevent the movement of AIS, which can have devastating impacts on Montana waterways. AIS are plants, animals or pathogens that are not native to Montana and can cause harm to our environment and economy.
Learn more at fwp.mt.gov/conservation/aquatic-invasive-species or call the FWP Aquatic Invasive Species Bureau at 406-444-2440.
Source: Montana FWP
Photo: Pixabay
