Idaho's watercraft inspection and decontamination stations performed more than 47,000 watercraft inspections during the 2011 boating season, intercepting 24 watercraft that were carrying invasive mussels into or through the state, according to a press release issued this morning by the Idaho State Department of Agriculture.

The invasive species sticker has provided funding to conduct nearly 100,000 inspections since 2009.

A presentation and workshop on the program and what boaters can do to protect area waters will be held at Post Falls City Hall on Nov. 10 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The public is invited.

The workshop is hosted by Mayor Clay Larkin. Workshop topics include: "Idaho Invasive Species Program Overview and 2011 Watercraft Inspection Season Wrap Up" by Amy Ferriter, ISDA; "How to Conduct a Watercraft Inspection, What We're Looking For and why It's So Important"; and a hands-on watercraft inspection by ISDA staff.

If introduced, mussels can quickly spread through rivers and lakes, impacting native species, recreation, and infrastructure for power generation, irrigation, municipalities and industrial use.

Of the 24 mussel-fouled watercraft that were intercepted this year, nearly half originated from federal waters in Nevada and Arizona.

"Mussel-fouled boats continue to leave infested waters without proper decontamination," Idaho State Department of Agriculture Director Celia Gould. "The federal government needs to do a better job of containing infestations in their waters and preventing the spread of these species to the Pacific Northwest states. We need all hands on deck as we work to protect our waters."

Most other western states also have initiated prevention programs.

Idaho-bound boaters are reminded that they must submit for an inspection from the Department of Agriculture if they have been in a mussel-infested waterbody in the previous 30 days.

Examples of mussel-infested Western waters are Lake Mead, Lake Mojave, Lake Havasu and Lake Pleasant. For a complete list of impacted Western waters see: http://nas.er.usgs.gov/taxgroup/mollusks/zebramussel/maps/southwest_quagga.pdf.

To arrange for a watercraft inspection, call (877) 336-8676.

For more information on the program, contact Ferriter at amy.ferriter@agri.idaho.gov.