Invasive Species People at Lake Whatcom

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by David Parnicky on August 1, 2012 at 4:41pm

They were there the last time I went to the lake handing out propoganda...I mean information.

Permalink Reply by Erik Faiola on August 1, 2012 at 6:01pm

I asked a sheriff who was there when the launch was a complete cluster @#!@ about why they don't designate lanes for take in and put out.  He responded the city doesn't like boaters nor do they want them on Lake Whatcom.  The sheriff's office has asked many many times for designated lanes to be put in and nothing is happening because apparently the city doesn't like the revenue the boaters bring to the community.  The invasive species is just another way to potentially get boaters off of Whatcom. 

Permalink Reply by Chris Blandi on August 1, 2012 at 9:11pm

Are the checking motor legality as well ?

Permalink Reply by Joe Boyd on August 2, 2012 at 9:54am

No.  In fact, I got a "courtesy check" from a sheriff's deputy; the type of motor was not on his checklist.  He did kick out a couple of jet skiers for not having the state required boater's license.

Chris Blandi said:

Are the checking motor legality as well ?

Permalink Reply by Tag Watson on August 3, 2012 at 2:53pm

Hey John,

I chatted with these folks at the lake earlier this week.  (Didn't fish, unfortunately)

The species of concern are:

• Asian clams (already in Lake Whatcom)
• Eurasian Watermilfoil (already in Lake Whatcom)
• New Zealand Mudsnail (already in Lake Whatcom)
• Zebra Mussels and Quagga Mussels

They seemed like a nice group of young adults and were there to educate boaters on properly cleaning, draining and drying their hulls, bilges, livewells, motorwells, etc.  They appeared to support boating on the lake but wanted to make sure boaters understood the importance of reducing the spread of invasive species. 

Permalink Reply by Joe Boyd on August 5, 2012 at 11:55am

They were very courteous and agreed that the Bloedel ramp is just a fraction (although a big fraction) of the boating activity on the lake.  There are still some city council people who are adamant about closing the ramp--in fact, I think it's a majority of the council.  What's frustrating here is the council person who represents the Silver Beach area is one of the supporters of closing the ramp.  The new mayor has spoken in favor of finding some middle ground, and the restoration project for upgrading the park has finally been approved.  

 

Tag Watson said:

Hey John,

I chatted with these folks at the lake earlier this week.  (Didn't fish, unfortunately)

The species of concern are:

• Asian clams (already in Lake Whatcom)
• Eurasian Watermilfoil (already in Lake Whatcom)
• New Zealand Mudsnail (already in Lake Whatcom)
• Zebra Mussels and Quagga Mussels

They seemed like a nice group of young adults and were there to educate boaters on properly cleaning, draining and drying their hulls, bilges, livewells, motorwells, etc.  They appeared to support boating on the lake but wanted to make sure boaters understood the importance of reducing the spread of invasive species. 

Permalink Reply by Aaron Christel on August 6, 2012 at 7:33pm

Anyone want to help me round up a tanker full of spots?