PHOTO COURTESY OF ODFW
If you’re traveling with a boat through Ontario, Ashland, Gold Beach, Klamath Falls and Lake View, be prepared to have your boat inspected.
Aquatic invasive species boat inspection stations are now open in each of those cities and 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.
