Mandatory Watercraft Inspections For Watercraft Transported By Land Into Wyoming

2014 AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES BOAT INSPECTION SEASON IS HERE AGAIN

 

GREEN RIVER—The ice has left the water and boating season is picking up once again in southwest Wyoming. With the increase in boater traffic the Wyoming Game and Fish Department reminds all boaters to review the Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Regulations.

            “In 2013 Wyoming instituted a mandatory watercraft inspection law which requires that all watercraft being transported by land into Wyoming from out of state must have an inspection prior to launching on any waters,” said Regina Dickson, Regional AIS Supervisor.”This rule is in effect year-round for watercraft which was last used on waters where the invasive mussels are present, such as Lake Mead, NV or Lake Powell, UT, and for all watercraft from March 1 through November 30.”

          All watercraft users are reminded that along with registration of watercraft for the upcoming boating season, watercraft used on Wyoming waters must have an AIS decal. This is the fifth year the watercraft inspection program and AIS decal have been in effect.

The 2014 AIS decals are now available on the Game and Fish website wgfd.wyo.gov/AIS, all Game and Fish regional offices, and at automated license agents. A complete list of automated license agents may be found at the department’s website, under the Aquatic Invasive Species tab.

          A Wyoming AIS decal must be displayed on all watercraft using Wyoming waters with the exception of non-motorized inflatable watercraft 10-feet in length or less. While these watercraft are not required to have a decal, they still require an inspection when coming from out of state.

          Costs are $10 for motorized watercraft registered in Wyoming, $30 for motorized watercraft registered in other states, $5 for non motorized watercraft owned by Wyoming residents, and $15 for non-motorized watercraft owned by nonresidents.

           “On Saturday, April 26, AIS inspection stations begin operating at ports of entry, border locations, and boat ramps,” said Dickson. “For people wanting to launch watercraft in southwest Wyoming there are inspection stations on Flaming Gorge Reservoir at Firehole Boat Ramp and Anvil Draw Road near the junction with Hwy 530. There is an inspection station at the Interstate 80 Port of Entry in Evanston, Wyo.  There is also a check station at the Kemmerer Port of Entry that operates Thursday through Sunday. Information on inspection stations, including location and dates and hours of operation, may be found online at wgfd.wyo.gov/AIS or by calling 1-877-WGFD-AIS.”

          During the 2013 boating season watercraft officers on Flaming Gorge Reservoir encountered many Utah boaters launching their watercraft at Lucerne Marina in Utah, and motoring into Flaming Gorge Reservoir on the Wyoming side thinking their Utah AIS certification form is valid in Wyoming. A Utah AIS certification is not valid in Wyoming and people must purchase the Wyoming AIS decal to boat on Wyoming waters. Buckboard Marina can help people with some Game and Fish license purchases, however, Buckboard Marina is not an electronic license vendor and they are unable to sell the AIS decals.

          In an effort to increase access to watercraft inspections for those trying to comply with the mandatory inspection law the Game and Fish is offering several watercraft inspection trainings.

          “These trainings will provide the skills and certification necessary to inspect your own watercraft or for you to offer inspections to other boaters,” Dickson said. “The trainings include information on basic biology, impacts, transport vectors and distribution of AIS. The training includes classroom instruction, a question and answer session, and a hands-on watercraft inspection exercise. They are free and open to anyone interested in preventing the spread of AIS through watercraft inspection.”

          There is an AIS training Tuesday, May 6, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., at the Green River Game and Fish Region Office, located at 351 Astle Avenue. A second training is being offered in Evanston, on Wednesday, May 7, at the Bear Community Center, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dickson said there will be other AIS trainings held throughout the state this summer. Preregistration is required one week prior to the course and limited to 20 people. Call 307-745-5180, extension 256 to register or for more information.

~WGFD~ 

Contact: Lucy  Diggins-Wold, 307-875-3225, extension 18607

Photo Credit: Lucy Diggins-Wold, High resolution photos available upon request.

 

Close up of invasive mussels and a boat inspection seal

Close up of WGFD Regina Dickson, Regional AIS Supervisor and truck.