Bill would require watercraft used outside of WA to be inspected 4/17 Update

[bigtex]

Senate Bill 5702 would require a person entering WA and towing watercraft used outside of WA to have documentation that the watercraft is free of aquatic invasive species (AIS). It was introduced on 2/11, had a hearing on 2/19, and went up for committee vote on 2/21

WDFW will adopt rules to implement the document requirement, including the type of documentation.

If you fail to obtain documentation it will be a natural resource infraction, not a criminal offense.

This program would be similar to those in Idaho and other states.

WDFW is in favor of the legislation

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?year=2013&bill=5702

[Knocker of rocks]

An unfunded mandate?

[KopperBuck]

Are they going to start charging for a sticker now too?

I'm as much against invasive as the next guy but I'm not sure I agree with all of this. They're already understaffed according to them - check stations will be few and far between without hiring additional staff or requiring the individual who's coming in to visit a WDFW office, which can be completely out of the way depending on the border crossing and body of water.

Or if we're talking about paperwork from the resident state, is this a once a year deal, has to be the day before?

So now we're talking about possible lost revenue because folks aren't going to want to go through the hassle. How are we getting the word out on this? Through regs or the road signs that you only see at major entries.

[KopperBuck]

I say we, I meant WA and now it concerns me since I've left but still recreate in WA. I guess I don't have a say anymore

[huntnphool]

On my way home from Montana Monday there was a big lighted sign along 90 that said all boats needed to pull over at the next check station for inspection, I think it was right before Wallace, Idaho.

[KopperBuck]

I've stopped at the CDA station several times, got stopped at a jump spot heading up to Pend Oreille. If a guy was motivated it'd be too easy.

I like the motivation, just want to know more about it. When I fished Houser I loved watching how many people drove right by the wash station. At Cocolalla they had a camp host that did it for you. I thought that was real neat.

[bigtex]

WSP Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Officers (weigh stations) already do a large majority of the inspections. WDFW also does them sporadically, especially in the summer.

Under the bill WDFW really has to set up the program. Much of the discussion has been around with just having people go through the weigh stations at the ports of entry (state borders).

[KopperBuck]

Thanks for the heads up. Going to follow this one.

The mussels and snails are nothing to screw around with, among other things.

[KopperBuck]

WSP Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Officers (weigh stations) already do a large majority of the inspections. WDFW also does them sporadically, especially in the summer.

Under the bill WDFW really has to set up the program. Much of the discussion has been around with just having people go through the weigh stations at the ports of entry (state borders).

So there are already inspections taking place? I was unaware, had never seen notice.

[bigtex]

WSP Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Officers (weigh stations) already do a large majority of the inspections. WDFW also does them sporadically, especially in the summer.

Under the bill WDFW really has to set up the program. Much of the discussion has been around with just having people go through the weigh stations at the ports of entry (state borders).

So there are already inspections taking place? I was unaware, had never seen notice.

Yes they are already taking place. This legislation would simply make it law that every single boat that crosses the border is required to have proof it is clean.

[ICEMAN]

An over reach IMHO.

[FisherKing]

An over reach IMHO.

Actually I beg to differ, invasive species can wreck havoc.  Doesn't anyone remember milfoil? I know several lakes that were killed by that stuff.  I'm fine with keeping washington ecosystems clean. Is it a pain if I go out of state, yes. But, its a small price to pay to keep what we have for generations.

[ICEMAN]

So I am trout fishing in Idaho on a Sunday and want to drive home. How do I get written documentation before I can go home? Washington state officials to decide what type of documentation is required, inspection and documentation to occur in Idaho, prior to crossing into Washington?

[Knocker of rocks]

Would drivng with a trailered boat in the general vicinity(+/- fifty miles?) of the states borders be sufficient probable cause to pull you over and ask to see the papers?  What if you hadn't left the state?  How do you prove you hadn't left the state?

[bigtex]

So I am trout fishing in Idaho on a Sunday and want to drive home. How do I get written documentation before I can go home? Washington state officials to decide what type of documentation is required, inspection and documentation to occur in Idaho, prior to crossing into Washington?

Under the bill WDFW has to determine what type of documentation is required. The documentation is not set right now. It will be up to WDFW if they will accept another state's inspection and how recently it must have happened.