Boat Ramps that are open on Canyon Ferry and Tiber announced by FWP
By Kamp Cook

Posted: April 15, 2017

Local boater training and certification for Tiber and Canyon Ferry Reservoirs can be now be done online at musselresp Boat ramps at both reservoirs are designated as open either to all boats or certified local boaters only.

Currently, two boat ramps at each reservoir are open for all boaters. At Canyon Ferry, these boat ramps are the Silos on the southwest side of the lake and Shannon on the north end near the dam. At Tiber, the Tiber Marina and VFW ramps, both near the dam, are open to all boaters. Other boat ramps on each reservoir are open to certified local boaters only.

 

The online training course provides participants with information about the invasive mussel threat, how to appropriately clean, drain and dry your watercraft and why it’s important for everyone to take responsibility in protecting Montana’s waterbodies.

This year in Montana, watercraft owners can be certified as local boaters at both Tiber and Canyon Ferry to allow them to bypass decontamination stations at the reservoirs after each trip out on the water. Local boater certification is intended for those boaters who intend to boat only at Canyon Ferry or Tiber. Certified local boaters sign an agreement pledging to go through decontamination should they decide to launch in another waterbody. Certification for the local boater programs have been available at Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks open houses around the state and now online.

The discovery last fall of aquatic invasive mussel larvae in water samples at Tiber Reservoir and a suspect sample from Canyon Ferry Reservoir has led to a multi-faceted, interagency response from Montana. This includes more than 30 inspection stations, a doubling in the monitoring efforts and decontamination stations about both Tiber and Canyon Ferry Reservoirs.

On both reservoirs, local boater ramps will be clearly marked. Maps for each reservoir are also available online at musselresponse.mt.gov.

Generally, decontamination only will require thoroughly cleaning, draining, and drying, which can be done in a matter of minutes. A full hot water decontamination of a more complex boat with ballasts or live wells takes an average of up to 30 minutes and can include spraying the exterior and flushing interior compartments with pressurized hot water (140°F). In the most extreme cases, the motor’s cooling system will need to be flushed.

The local boater program is geared for boaters who primarily spend their time on either reservoir. This program is being implemented to help reduce wait times at decontamination stations and to continue to ensure that waters outside of Tiber and Canyon Ferry are protected from invasive mussels.

For more information on invasive mussels, maps of inspection and decontamination stations, and how to clean, drain and dry your watercraft, go online to musselresponse.mt.gov.

-fwp-

 

Montana’s invasive mussel response swings into gear April 15

On April 15, Montana’s full response to the invasive mussels begins statewide with more than 30 inspection stations, decontamination stations for boats leaving Tiber and Canyon Ferry Reservoirs and a broad outreach and education effort to help ensure people recreating on Montana’s waterways are practicing clean, drain and dry techniques at all times.

The biggest changes will be seen by those recreationists at Tiber and Canyon Ferry. In March, the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission approved rules requiring boaters on Canyon Ferry and Tiber reservoirs to launch and exit at designated boat ramps, unless they are officially certified as local boaters on those specific waters by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.

While local boaters won’t be required to decontaminate their vessels with hot water each time they leave Tiber or Canyon Ferry – they’ll still be required to stop at an inspection station where they’ll be expedited through after a brief interview. The program is designed to decrease volume at decontamination stations and allow a focus on boats traveling elsewhere.

The local boater program will allow watercraft owners to complete educational training on aquatic invasive species and sign an agreement with FWP pledging to only use the boat at either Tiber or Canyon Ferry reservoir. This training is available online at musselresponse.mt.gov.

At Tiber and Canyon Ferry boat ramps will be designated as open either to all boats or certified local boaters only. Currently, two boat ramps at each reservoir are open for all boaters. At Canyon Ferry, these boat ramps are the Silos on the southwest side of the lake and Shannon on the north end near the dam. At Tiber, the Tiber Marina and VFW ramps, both near the dam, are open to all boaters. Other boat ramps on each reservoir are open to certified local boaters only.

On both reservoirs, local boater ramps will be clearly marked. Maps for each reservoir are also available online at musselresponse.mt.gov.

Watercraft inspection stations will be operating around Montana starting April 15, with specific attention given to inspecting watercraft that may be coming into Montana from out of state or cross the Continental Divide into the Columbia River Basin. People traveling with watercraft, both motorized and nonmotorized – including canoes, paddleboards and kayaks – must stop when they encounter an inspection station.

Key points to remember are:

  • Boats coming into Montana from out of state must get inspected prior to launching – No Inspection? Don’t launch.
  • Watercraft traveling across the divide into the Columbia River Basin must get inspected prior to launching.
  • Certified local boaters will not be required to decontaminate their boat each time they leave Tiber or Canyon Ferry but they still must stop at inspection stations.
  • Should a certified local boater want to use the watercraft at another waterbody, as part of the local boater pledge, the owner is required to get the watercraft decontaminated.
  • Transporting surface water – from lakes, ponds, river and streams – in Montana is illegal. Use clean domestic water to transport live bait.

Generally, decontamination only will require thoroughly cleaning, draining, and drying, which can be done in a matter of minutes. A full hot water decontamination of a more complex boat with ballasts or live wells takes an average of up to 30 minutes and can include spraying the exterior and flushing interior compartments with pressurized hot water (140°F). In the most extreme cases, the motor’s cooling system will need to be flushed.

Clean. Drain. Dry – it’s simple and it will save people time at inspection stations. Clean all mud, debris and vegetation off your watercraft. Drain all ballasts, bilges, live wells and motors. Dry equipment, any standing water and the insides of compartments.

Containing the risk of spreading mussels from the reservoirs to other areas is a key component of Montana’s implementation plan. When boaters transport water in their boats they can spread destructive mussel that are so small at the larvae stage they can only be seen under a microscope.

To combat the spread of all aquatic invasive species, Montana officials urge boaters and anglers to Clean, Drain, Dry their watercraft, trailers and equipment when they leave the water as a guarantee that they’re not spreading invasive mussels. A cleaned, drained and dry boat also will make for a quick inspection.

For more information, please go online to musselrepsonse.mt.gov.

-fwp-

 

New AIS administrative rules in effect April 15

Regulations aimed helping the fight against aquatic invasive species in Montana go into effect April 15.

These new regulations require that all watercraft coming into Montana be inspected prior to launching on any Montana waterbody, mandatory inspections of watercraft traveling across the Continental Divide into the Columbia River Basin within Montana, and a prohibition of transporting surface water – lake, pond and river water – in Montana.

The regulations take the form of administrative rules and were presented for public comment in February and March. These rules amended existing regulations and were necessary in developing a response to the discovery of invasive mussel larvae in Montana last fall.

Invasive mussel larvae were detected for the first time in Montana in October 2016 in Tiber Reservoir – and a suspect detection turned up in Canyon Ferry Reservoir.

The discovery triggered a natural resource emergency in Montana and led to several recommended strategies to manage the threat of invasive mussels spreading to other areas.

For more information on Montana’s mussel response, please look online at musselresponse.mt.gov.

-fwp-

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