The goal of the Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Program is to protect Whatcom County's natural resources, infrastructure, recreation, wildlife, and economy from the impacts of aquatic invasive species by:

What will greatly reduce the time it takes to inspect your watercraft for AIS?

Do you need to purchase an AIS permit at the beginning of each year's boating season?

People who live on Lake Whatcom or Lake Samish and keep their boat on the lake and never take it anywhere else do not need to buy an AIS Permit or to get their watercraft inspected.

Aquatic invasive species can clog water intake pipes and impede the flow of water to municipal water supplies, irrigation operations, and power plants.

It only takes one plant fragment to start a new population of Eurasian watermilfoil.