ASSOCIATED PRESS
MISSOULA – A Montana reservoir
that had a suspicious result in testing for invasive mussels in 2016 has been
cleared and the state has lifted a requirement for mandatory decontamination stations
at the reservoir east of Helena.
Canyon Ferry
was removed Feb. 14 from a list of bodies of water confirmed or suspected for
aquatic invasive mussels after it recorded a suspicious result in 2016,
officials from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks said.
Aquatic
mussels have no natural predators and can clog water pipes and displace native
species.
The change
means boaters will no longer have to complete a mandatory inspection when
leaving Canyon Ferry.
Those rules
are expected to remain in place at the Tiber Reservoir. The reservoir has had
no positive tests in three years but restrictions, including a certified boater
program and decontamination stations, will remain in place for at least two
more years. Last year, Montana conducted about 99,000 watercraft
inspections and intercepted 16 boats with invasive mussels coming into the
state.
