Montana Starts Aquatic Invasive Species Inspections This March
Aquatic invasive species inspection season is set to begin March 7, when inspection stations open in Dillon, Ravalli and Anaconda, according to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.
FWP works with tribes, conservation districts and counties to operate inspection stations and partners with groups such as Trout Unlimited and Walleyes Unlimited to expand early detection surveys and outreach.
The agency recently released its AIS Early Detection, Monitoring, and Control Annual Report and AIS Prevention Report, which highlight the risk of Montana residents transporting invasive species from out of state.
“If you know snowbirds who are bringing a boat home, be sure they get their boat inspected before they put it in the water,” said FWP AIS Bureau Chief Tom Woolf. “Also, if you or someone you know buys a boat from out of state, be sure to get it inspected.”
As mussel populations move closer to Montana, inspection teams are seeing more watercraft arriving from affected waters.
“We are being effective at holding the line against AIS,” Woolf said. “The movement of AIS is a human-caused problem, therefore it is preventable.”
All boats entering Montana are required to be inspected before launching to ensure they are free of aquatic invasive species and are clean, drained and dry.
More From KEYZ AM 660
