Washington: WDFW to Enforce Law Requiring Removal of Aquatic Plants from Boats and Gear

OLYMPIA, Washington - With summer in full swing, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is reminding recreational boaters that they are legally required to remove all aquatic plants from their boats and trailers before driving away from the launch ramp.

Those that fail to do so could face a $378 fine.

Washington state law makes it illegal to transport aquatic plants that may be dispersed unintentionally along roads and highways. The law, which is being enforced as of July 4 to help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species, especially applies to recreational boaters whose vessels and gear get entangled with plants while in the water, said Bruce Bjork, chief of WDFW’s enforcement program.

“If boaters don’t remove all plants before they leave the ramp, they can easily spread into other bodies of water when the boat is launched again or if they’re dislodged when traveling,” Bjork said. “Noxious weeds such as milfoil are typically spread to lakes on boat trailers and fishing gear. Controlling the extensive spread of milfoil alone has cost the state millions of dollars.”

Several other aquatic invasive plants such as hydrilla and Brazilian elodea are also showing up in Washington, which could cause further problems for native species and habitat, Bjork said.

“Enforcing the law is an important preventative measure in stopping their spread,” Bjork said.

To inform the boating public before the new enforcement action went into effect, WDFW officers conducted several educational patrols over the past year at boat launches throughout the state.

Washington: Results Available for Special Hunt Drawing

OLYMPIA, Washington - Hunters who submitted applications for a 2008 special-hunt permit can check the results of this year’s drawing on the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) website.

The results of the random, computerized drawing were verified July 11 and are now available for viewing at http://198.238.33.69/.

More than 60,000 hunters submitted 134,000 applications for this year’s special hunts for species including turkey, big horn sheep, mountain goat, moose, deer and elk. Holders of the special permits can hunt at times and locations beyond those authorized by a general hunting license.

In addition to posting results of the drawing on its website, WDFW will notify successful applicants by mail. Those with hunts beginning in August will also be contacted by phone.

For more information on special hunt permits, see the WDFW Big Game Hunting rules pamphlet at http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/hunter/hunter.htm