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

All of our education and outreach efforts are designed to help the public to understand the threat that invasive species pose to Whatcom County waters and steps they can take to help prevent their spread.

If you have a non-motorized, hand-carried boat (kayak, canoe) do you need a permit to launch on Lake Whatcom or Lake Samish?

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.

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.

You decide to take your boat from Lake Samish to Lake Terrell. How can you help prevent the spread of Asian clams between these two lakes?

Inspectors will only need to do a visual inspection of the exterior of the watercraft.