By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

Province stepping up fight against invasive species in our water bodies

May 12, 2017 | 1:02 PM

The province has announced it is adding two new inspection stations and 30 boat inspectors to combat the fight against invasive species taking over Alberta waters.

The new stations actually opened up earlier this year at Canada Border Services Agency sites in response to the discovery of zebra mussel larvae in Montana late last year.

In addition, the province has extended the inspection season by several weeks, from March through November.

“Our boat inspectors are on the front lines of protecting Alberta’s beautiful lakes and waterways and drinking water,” says Shannon Phillips, Minister of Environment and Parks. “Because prevention is so important, we have one of the most robust and forward-looking aquatic invasive species programs in Canada.”

Joanne Gaudet, Communications Officer for the Town of Sylvan Lake, says as a member of the Sylvan Lake Management Committee, the Town is actively educating the population on the risks of aquatic hitch-hikers.

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“We take the messaging directly from the Alberta Government, which is to clean, drain, and dry your boat,” she says. “Species like zebra and quagga mussels can destroy a lake. They just suck the life right out of ecosystems. We’re lucky in that we have a clean spring-fed, healthy lake and we want to keep it that way.”

An infestation could cost the province $75 million annually, as water systems and power and irrigation infrastructure become clogged.

Any watercraft entering Alberta, motorized or not, must stop at one of 11 highway inspection stations. In 2016, more than 19,000 received inspection. Seventeen tested positive for invasive mussels up from 11 in 2015. There have been three interceptions so far this year.

The 2017 season features 60 inspectors, three mussel-sniffing dogs and two roving inspection crews to move between local boat launches.

Bypassing an open inspection station while carrying a watercraft could result in fines of up to $100,000 or one year in jail.

To report something suspicious, call 1-855-336-2628 (BOAT).

by Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

Province stepping up fight against invasive species in our water bodies

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