HELENA - Montana’s Fish and Wildlife Commission, in a special teleconference meeting this week, approved new rules for boaters at Canyon Ferry and Tiber reservoirs.
The rules are part of Montana’s response to the discovery of invasive mussel larvae last fall in Tiber Reservoir and a suspected sample from Canyon Ferry Reservoir.
Approved on March 22, the rules require boaters to launch and exit Tiber and Canyon Ferry reservoirs at designated boat ramps, unless they are officially certified as local boaters by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP).
“This will ensure that watercraft not in the local boater program will depart from the reservoirs at points where inspection and decontamination stations are located,” said Eileen Ryce, chief of Fisheries for FWP.
The local boater program will allow watercraft owners to complete educational training on aquatic invasive species and sign an agreement with FWP pledging to only use the boat at either Tiber or Canyon Ferry reservoir.
Local boaters would not be required to decontaminate their boat each time they leave Tiber or Canyon Ferry but they still must stop at inspection stations where they will be expedited through after a brief interview.
Should a certified local boater want to use the watercraft at another waterbody, as part of the pledge, the boat owner would be required to get the watercraft decontaminated.
Local boater training and certification will be available online beginning in mid-April. Prospective local boaters can also get certified by attending one of the Joint Mussel Response Team’s open houses that will focus on the effort to contain, detect and prevent the spread of invasive mussels and other aquatic invasive species.
An open house will be held in Townsend on April 4 at the Broadwater School and Community Library. Local boaters can be certified after the presentation. Call 406-444-2535 to register.
Additional open-houses events will be announced when dates and locations are secured.
Containing the risk of spreading mussels from the reservoirs to other areas is a key component of the Joint Mussel Response Team’s implementation plan. When boaters transport water in their boats they can spread destructive mussel that are so small at the larvae stage they can only be seen under a microscope.
To combat the spread of all aquatic invasive species, Montana officials urge boaters and anglers to Clean, Drain, Dry their watercraft, trailers and equipment when they leave the water as a guarantee that they’re not spreading invasive mussels. A cleaned, drained and dry boat also will make for a quick inspection.
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