Spreading the word, not the invader

SANDPOINT — You might want to think twice before you disregard the mandatory boat inspection stations in the Panhandle.

A new state law that took effect this month empowers Idaho law officers to ticket motorists who refuse to stop at the checkpoints to make sure the boats they are pulling are not carrying aquatic invasive species such as zebra and quagga mussels.

“We call ‘em blow-bys,” said Dan Whatley, supervisor of the inspection stations on U.S. Highway 95 and U.S. 2.

Whatley said the fine for disregarding the compulsory inspection stations is $68. The penalty leaps to $3,000 for those who knowingly transport the ecosystem-disrupting, infrastructure-clogging invasive species.

The stations, which are funded by the Idaho State Department of Agriculture and operated by the Bonner Soil & Water Conservation District, are located on U.S. 95 in Samuels and Garwood and on U.S. 2 in Oldtown.

The inspection stations also sell the Aquatic Invasive Species decals boaters are required to have before they launch their vessel in Idaho waters.

When the stations went into operation at the end of May, Whatley said as many as 20 percent of motorists with boats failed to stop.

“With signing and better awareness, we’re probably down to 5 percent or so overall,” he said.

Motorists hauling boats from Idaho, Washington, Montana, Oregon, and the Canadian provinces of British Columbia and Alberta are generally considered low risk and subjected to more cursory inspections. Whatley said a low-risk inspection averages three to five minutes.

Motorists from practically everywhere else, and especially those from states where there are known mussel infestations, undergo more rigorous scrutiny. Those in the high-risk category could also be subject to a stem-to-stern wash with pressurized water hot enough to zap aquatic mussels’ planktonic larva, called veligers. Inspections with hot washes average about 45 minutes.

From May 28 to June 30, 1,807 inspections have been conducted at the Panhandle stations, Whatley said.

“We found 13 boats that were suspicious enough to hot wash. We found nothing with mussels, though,” he said.

And while some motorists who blow off the checkpoints are being cited, some are still managing to slip past.

On Thursday, a commercial hauler with two boats blew past the Garwood station. Whatley said he attempted to catch up to the offender, but couldn’t. Law enforcement was also unable to intercept the offender.

“Those are some of the boats that really scare us. Those that could be coming from Lake Mead. They could be loaded with mussels,” said Whatley.

Linda O’Hare, administrator for the soil district, said some are still unaware of new boater responsibilities in Idaho.

“There’s been good feedback from people and most of the people that come through seem to be supportive of the program, which is very nice,” O’Hare said. “But there’s still a lot of people that don’t know that much about it and the more they know the better it is for everyone.”