Invasive species check stations open

In my email this morning:


Boat inspection stations open in Oregon to target invasive species
May 19, 2014

SALEM, Ore. — Aquatic invasive species boat inspection stations are now open in Ashland, Gold Beach, Klamath Falls, Lakeview and Ontario.

All vehicles carrying motorized or non-motorized boats (kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, sailboats, etc.) are required to stop. Motorists are alerted to inspections stations by orange “Boat Inspection Ahead” signs followed by a white “Inspection Required for All Watercraft” sign. Failure to stop at an inspection station could result in a $110 fine.

Inspections generally take less than 10 minutes if boats are free of aquatic invasive species. If a boat is found to be contaminated with quagga or zebra mussels, New Zealand mudsnails, aquatic plants or other aquatic invaders, it will be decontaminated on site by the watercraft inspection team. There is no penalty or cost for the boat owner if their boat is found to contain invasive species.

2014 Boat inspection stations

Ashland: I-5, Ashland Port of Entry, 7 days a week, 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Ontario:  I-84 and Hwy. 20 at Ontario Rest Area, 7 days a week, 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Gold Beach: Hwy 101, Wed.-Sun., 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. *
Klamath Falls: Hwy 97 at Midland Rest Area, Wed.-Sun., 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. *
Lakeview: Hwy 395, south of Lakeview, Wed.-Sun., 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. *
“Prevention is the only way to keep aquatic invasive species out of Oregon’s waters,” said Rick Boatner, ODFW Invasive Species coordinator. “Boaters have to be conscientious about cleaning, draining and drying their boats and stopping at inspection stations in every state they travel through.”

Boatner estimates that last year, in Oregon, overall boater inspection compliance rate was 72 percent.

In 2013, ODFW technicians conducted 7,441 watercraft inspections and 279 watercraft decontaminations. Seventeen of those boats contained either quagga or zebra mussels. All boats were decontaminated. Additional information is available in the 2013 Oregon Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Program Annual Report (pdf).

The Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Program is self-supporting, based on the sales of required Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Permits.

* Days and hours subject to change

add to that list...Brookings Oregon, they have been set up at the weigh station just 1.5 miles North of the Ca. border for the last two weeks.

I got checked at the Ashland station just this weekend!

There is no penalty or cost for the boat owner if their boat is found to contain invasive species.

At least there's that.

My experiences at Ashland and Brookings last year were all positive and painless.

add to that list...Brookings Oregon, they have been set up at the weigh station just 1.5 miles North of the Ca. border for the last two weeks.

We stopped a the Brookings station Sunday on our way back from GS8.  Spent a few minutes BS'ing with the two guys there.
It wasn't until a few miles later, we realized we missed our turn off 101 to 199 in Crescent City towards Grants Pass. 
Whipped around and headed back south.  Honked at the dudes at the station as we flew by.   

We also had to stop at the brookings checkpoint on Sunday.  It was quick one guy took my information and chatted with us while another checked the yaks.  They were friendly and quick.  We hadn't missed our turn we were heading north.  You need to use your gps app Craige.  ; )

We had it on but the volume was too low 

We noticed the Brookings checkpoint as we were driving by it and saw the guy giving us a dirty look.

My experiences at Ashland and Brookings last year were all positive and painless.

aaaahemmm, Excuse me Sir...We need to check your vessel for quagga muscles. Please step out of the car, turn your head and cough 

We had it on but the volume was too low.....

...on the GPS.   

But my volume was plenty high, and deep into conversation with the driver. 
Oops!   

My experiences at Ashland and Brookings last year were all positive and painless.

aaaahemmm, Excuse me Sir...We need to check your vessel for quagga muscles. Please step out of the car, turn your head and cough 

I thought that search for quagga mussels was a bit, shall we say, friendly.