What are the three important steps for preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species that should be done every time you go boating?

Boating is a primary pathway for the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species to and from Whatcom County lakes.

If you boat on a lake infested with Eurasian watermilfoil or other aquatic weeds, what is the best way to prevent the plants from spreading somewhere else?

If a bait well or a hold on your boat has water in it, but the water looks clean, do you still need to drain and dry the hold before launching your boat?

Quagga and zebra mussels came to North America in the ballast tanks and on the anchor chains of large, transoceanic ships that entered the Great Lakes.

Inspectors rely on both your answers to survey questions as well as a visual and physical inspection of the watercraft to make their risk determination.