Montana boat inspections aim to keep invasive species at bay

MISSOULA, Mont. — Inspection stations are opening across Montana as boating season gets underway.

Montana law requires inspectors to look at almost anything used on the water, including kayaks, inflatables and related gear. Officials said the goal was to stop invasive species before they spread.

Vivaca Crowser with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks said bringing non-native species into a body of water can quickly change its ecosystem.

“Anytime you bring in something that wasn't native to a water, it can really change the dynamic. Everything from disrupting the natural balance of the ecosystem, where suddenly you don't have the fish that you're used to having in there. There's just not enough food source for all the species, for example,” said Vivaca Crowser.

Montana is one of only several states that has avoided zebra and quagga mussel infestations. Clarissa Orton, Missoula County's aquatic invasive species coordinator, explained why those species are a major concern.

“They are, once established, borderline impossible to eradicate. And in their larval stage, they are borderline microscopic, about the size of a grain of sand,” said Clarissa Orton. “And they can live free floating in water or even in a damp environment for up to 30 days.”

Orton explained the inspections were straightforward and focused on anything that could carry contamination.

“They will check the boat for any form of sediment, visible debris, vegetation, live bait. Really anything along those lines, both on the outside and then also in the motor or any place where there might be standing water,” said Orton.

Orton added that if inspectors found anything, decontamination usually took about 10 minutes. She said boaters could often avoid that by cleaning, draining and drying their boat after taking it out of the water.