It's the Law: On the Water

Aquatic Nuisance Species

Eurasian Watermilfoil

This noxious weed forms very dense mats of vegetation on the water's surface. It has feather-like leaves arranged in whorls of four around the stem, which may reach lengths of 10 feet of more. A pink-flowering spike appears above the water from June to August.

Eurasian watermilfoil, zebra mussels, quagga mussels, and New Zealand mud snails are some of the invasive species found in Idaho. Often spread between waterways by hitching a ride on vessels and trailers, these non-native species can damage the environment and hurt the economy.

Due to the increasing threat of invasive species, the Idaho legislature passed The Idaho Invasive Species Act of 2008.

• You may not introduce an invasive species into the state of Idaho. Also, you may not buy, sell, distribute, or otherwise possess an invasive species within the state unless:
  • You have a permit issued by the Idaho Department of Agriculture (IDA) or …
  • You meet other requirements specified in the Act.
• The director of the IDA may inspect public or private land, bodies of water, or property to check for and/or destroy invasive species. This includes setting up inspection checkpoints around the state and issuing hold orders for any items where an invasive species is found.
• Anyone who violates the regulations in the Act may be fined up to $3,000, imprisoned in county jail for up to 12 months, or both. A person may receive additional civil penalties of up to $10,000.

Zebra Mussel

This tiny D-shaped mollusk that can clog water intakes, pipes, damage vessel engines, and alter native species populations. Zebra mussels are transported on vessel hulls, engines, and other equipment.

Help prevent the spread of aquatic nuisance species.

• Inspect your vessel and trailer, and remove any plants and animals you see before leaving the area.
• Drain your motor, live well, and bilge on land before leaving the area.
• Empty your bait bucket on land. Never release live bait into a body of water or release aquatic animals from one body of water into another.
• Rinse your vessel, propeller, trailer, and equipment.
• Air-dry your vessel and equipment.