US EditionFines for aquatic invasive species violations increase under new law
- Governor Greg Gianforte signed House Bill 242 on May 5, 2025, increasing fines for aquatic invasive species violations in Montana.
- The bill, carried by Republican lawmaker Tom Millett, aims to prevent infestations like the zebra mussel coating observed on a Lake Michigan nuclear plant intake system.
- Montana currently has no major zebra mussel problem but faces suspicious detections in waterways and intercepted numerous fouled boats and aquatic weed transports in 2024.
- Fines for first negligent offenses doubled from $500 to $700, and knowingly introducing invasive species is a felony with penalties up to $25,000.
- The law’s goal is to protect Montana’s economy and ecosystems from costly infestations, estimated to cause hundreds of millions in damage if allowed to spread.
12 Articles
12 Articles
Alberta fighting 'tiny invasive species' with mandatory watercraft inspections
In a bid to keep invasive zebra and quagga mussels out, Alberta is becoming the first province in Canada to introduce mandatory inspections for boats, kayaks and other watercraft crossing the province's southern and eastern borders.
Daily Montanan
Missoula CurrentFines for aquatic invasive species violations increase
Anyone transporting watercraft must stop at all open watercraft inspection stations they encounter in Montana. (FWP photo)When Tom Millett, a Republican state lawmaker from Marion, was working at a nuclear powerplant on Lake Michigan nearly 30 years ago, he routinely found himself face to face with zebra mussels. The small freshwater mollusks are not native to North America, but were introduced into many waterways east of the Mississippi River …
ABC FOX Montana
Fines for aquatic invasive species violations increase under new law
When Tom Millett, a Republican state lawmaker from Marion, was working at a nuclear powerplant on Lake Michigan nearly 30 years ago, he routinely found himself face to face with zebra mussels. The small freshwater mollusks are not native to…
Keep invasive mussels out
Starting June 1, Alberta is the first province in Canada to require mandatory inspections for all incoming watercraft to keep invasive mussels out. Zebra and Quagga mussels destroy ecosystems, threaten shorelines and can cause hundreds of millions in damaged infrastructure. Alberta is currently 100 per cent free of zebra mussels and quagga mussels, but reports are increasing across Canada and the United States. To protect our borders, Alberta is…
Alberta boat inspections – Water Canada
Zebra and Quagga mussels destroy ecosystems, threaten shorelines and can cause hundreds of millions in damaged infrastructure. Alberta is currently 100 per cent free of zebra mussels and quagga mussels, but reports are increasing across Canada and the United States. To protect our borders, Alberta is introducing mandatory inspections for anyone travelling with a boat, jet ski, kayak or other watercraft across the province’s southern or eastern b…
Alta. government announces mandatory watercraft inspections over summer – Heartland News
The Alberta government is the first in the country to announce mandatory inspections on all watercraft entering the province to prevent the spread of invasive mussels into the province’s lakes and rivers. Starting on June 1, Alberta is introducing mandatory inspections for anyone with a boat, jet ski, kayak, or any other type of watercraft across the province’s southern and eastern boarders. Alberta is currently free of zebra mussels and quagga …
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