BCSO enforcing boat inspections

SANDPOINT — Scofflaws who try to skirt mandatory watercraft inspection stations in Bonner County this boating season will have to contend long arm of the law.

Bonner County commissioners approved a contract last week for the sheriff’s office to enforce the Idaho Invasive Species Act.

“The sheriff’s office will provide all necessary personal equipment, supplies and supervision in order to provide law enforcement services related to the Idaho invasive species inspection protocol,” Sheriff Daryl Wheeler said last Tuesday.

Deputies will not staff the three inspection stations in Bonner County, although they will be summoned if a boater tries to circumvent an inspection.

“We just do law enforcement,” said Wheeler.

In exchange for law enforcement services, the Idaho State Department of Agriculture will pay the county $145,150 to cover costs.

The Idaho Legislature instituted the mandatory inspection program in 2008 to curb the spread of aquatic invasive species such as Eurasian milfoil and flowering rush. The program is also meant to keep other invasives — chiefly quagga and zebra mussels — from gaining a foothold in Idaho.

The state has established inspection stations on U.S. Highway 95 in Samuels, U.S. Highway 2 at Albeni Falls and on Highway 200 in Clark Fork. A roving crew of inspectors also covers the Sandpoint area, according to ISDA.

The agreement takes effect on April 7.

The state reports it has inspected 820 boats so far this year, 116 of which were coming from waters known to be infested. A total of 41 vessels have been hot washed.

Boats are considered high-risk to the state of Idaho if they have been in mussel-infested states within the last 30 days. Watercraft, especially commercially hauled boats, are also considered high-risk, as are boats that have standing water on board or if they have a lot of grime or slime below the waterline.

Boaters who intentionally skip an inspection station could face a misdemeanor charge and fines of up to $3,000 or civil penalties of up to $10,000, according to the Idaho Invasive Species Act.

Keith Kinnaird can be reached by email at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow him on Twitter @KeithDailyBee.