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Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Fines for aquatic invasive species violations increase under new law
Anyone transporting watercraft must stop at all open watercraft inspection stations they encounter in Montana. (FWP photo) When Tom Millett, a Republican state lawmaker from Marion, was working at a nuclear powerplant on Lake Michigan nearly 30 years ago, he routinely found himself face to face with zebra mussels. The small freshwater mollusks are not native to North America, but were introduced into many waterways east of the Mississippi River in the 1980s, including the Great Lakes and have spread prolifically, earning a moniker as one of the most dangerous invasive species on the continent. For Millett, zebra mussels would routinely coat parts of the power plant that connected to the freshwater lake. 'We had to go in there and we had to actually physically remove the zebra mussels all the time,' Millett said. 'And I can just tell you stories about zebra mussels, that we would take them out in big, huge dumpsters. By the dumpster load. That's how prolific these things are.' In an 2024 environmental review for the Palisades Nuclear Plant on Lake Michigan, it was reported that zebra mussels still coated parts of the intake system, an inch-and-a-half thick. To prevent a similar problematic infestation of Montana waterways, Millett carried House Bill 242 during the 2025 Legislative session, increasing the fines for anyone who knowingly or negligently introduces any aquatic invasive species into Montana or fails to stop at a watercraft check station. Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte signed the bill on May 5. Aquatic invasive species include plants, animals and pathogens that are not native to the state, and can harm the ecosystem and economy. Mussels are one of the common poster species for AIS prevention. Montana doesn't yet have a major problem with Zebra mussels, or the similarly invasive quagga mussel, but neighboring states do, and there have been several suspicious detections of mussels and their larvae in Montana waterways, including Canyon Ferry Reservoir and the Missouri River. Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks runs a program to counteract aquatic invasive species, which includes a public information campaign and numerous AIS check stations that all boaters in Montana, including non-motorized ones such as canoes and stand-up paddleboards, are required to stop at for inspection. Out-of-state boaters must also obtain an inspection before launching on Montana waters. In 2024, FWP officials reported intercepting more than 47 mussel-fouled boats, and 800 transporting aquatic weeds. According to the state's AIS inspection dashboard, FWP reports that watercraft check stations have already intercepted 10 mussel-fouled boats in 2025. The new law essentially doubles the fine for a first negligent offense as well as subsequent offenses for introducing AIS or failing to stop at an inspection station— from $500 to $700 for a first offense and from $750 to $1400 for subsequent offenses. In addition, knowingly attempting to introduce an invasive species to Montana, a felony, now has a fine of as much as $25,000. 'Is that tough? It's absolutely tough, because we can't risk having AIS being introduced into Montana to hurt our fishing industry, our tourism industry, our hydro facilities, our water treatment plants or any of our industries that employ thousands of Montanans,' Millett said during a hearing on his bill in February. 'We need to send a message to everyone who wants to come to Montana that we are serious about keeping our waters clean now and for future generations.' Millett's bill was supported during legislative hearings by researchers with the Flathead Lake Biological Station, the Montana Association of Conservation Districts, Montana Audubon, The Fishing Outfitters Association of Montana, Trout Unlimited, and the Little Bitterroot Lake Association. The threat of AIS, specifically zebra and quagga mussels, comes with a drastic price tag. A 2019 study published by the University of Montana's Flathead Lake Biological Station estimated that if mussels colonized all of Montana's water bodies, it could cost the state between $384.5 million to $731.4 million in mitigation costs, lost revenue and property value losses. Prevention efforts, by comparison, are cheap. Montana spent more than $3.6 million running its inspection and decontamination stations in 2018, and operates a grant program that disseminates more than a half million dollars for invasive species-related prevention. In 2024, the Fish, Wildlife and Parks and partners conducted more than 130,000 watercraft inspections across the state, resulting in 47 citations and 91 written warnings. Under the law signed last week, the increased fines leveraged against violators would be funneled into the state's general fund. FWP officials remind all Montanans that boaters and anglers must remember to clean, drain and dry their watercraft before leaving a water access site and are required to stop at all open watercraft inspection stations. Nonresidents and residents returning home must have their watercraft inspected before launching in Montana. Watercraft must also be drained of all water before transporting. For more information, visit or
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- General
- Yahoo
New bill promises harsher fines for boaters ignoring efforts to halt spread of invasive species in Montana
Jan. 31—State wildlife officials examine over 100,000 boats annually at roadside inspection stations, searching for signs of hitchhiking critters that could harm local lakes, rivers and streams. Of special concern are zebra and quagga mussels. Both species have been known to reproduce uncontrollably in American waters, causing millions of dollars of infrastructural damage and devastating local ecosystems. In 2024, officials intercepted 42 boats infected with mussels, but Rep. Tom Millet, R-Marion, says more needs to be done to stop the spread of invasive species in Montana. "We have not had such problems that a statewide emergency has been declared, but that does not mean we can sit on our laurels," said Millet at a House Fish, Wildlife and Parks Committee hearing Tuesday night. Millet and Rep. Braxton Mitchell, R-Columbia Falls, are sponsoring House Bill 242, which would double the maximum fines for boaters that bypass inspection stations. Boaters charged with negligently transporting invasive species could face fines up to $1,000 for first offenses and $1,500 for subsequent offenses. Those charged with knowingly transporting invasive species could be charged up to $1,950. If passed, it would mark the first time the fines have been raised since their introduction in 2009. The bill has attracted the support of several environmental organizations, including the Whitefish Lake Institute, which helps monitor for invasive species in lakes throughout the Flathead Valley. Program coordinator Durae Belcer said many lakeshore residents know about invasive species and even contribute to monitoring efforts through the organization's citizen science program, but she thinks higher fines could help visitors understand the risks that invasive species pose. "Water and water quality is essential so anything that threatens that resource should be taken seriously," said Belcer. "A fine that is a little bit larger might make them more aware of how important it is." The fine increases would likely only impact a handful of boaters each year. Chief enforcement officer for Montana, Fish, Wildlife and Parks Ron Howel said that, in 2024, the department issued 47 citations and 91 written warnings to boaters that bypassed inspection stations. Under the proposed law, game wardens would still have the discretion to issue verbal and written warnings to boaters that may have mistakenly or unknowingly broken the law. House Bill 262 faced little opposition at its initial hearing. A committee vote has not yet been scheduled. Reporter Hailey Smalley can be reached at hsmalley@
