The Idaho House of Representatives approved a bill yesterday that would require every boat on Idaho waters to bear an annually issued invasive species sticker.  The stickers will cost $5 for each non-motorized boat and would be good for one year. The bill will immediately go to the Senate, where public input from the paddling community will immediately be essential. 

 

The goal of the bill is to prevent the introduction of invasive mussel species, something American Whitewater fully supports, however the bill itself will not accomplish those goals and we therefore do not support the bill. 

 

Specifically:

 

• First, the bill only sets up a new fee, but does create a program to prevent invasive species which those fees would fund.  This bill does nothing to directly stop invasive species.   
• Secondly, the projected revenue from the fee is likely off the mark which would render the program unviable - especially if the costs of enforcing this program are factored in. 
• Lastly, the proposed program targets motorized boats which are proven vectors, and non-motorized boats which are not proven vectors, but does not address other means of transmission like felt waders that are proven to transfer these species.  

 

With this said, the goal of delaying the introduction of invasive species is certainly worth addressing.  Perhaps the best option is to take the advice of Idaho Rivers United, and add 1/4 of one cent per gallon to the state gas tax to fund a comprehensive and effective invasive species program. We ask that paddlers that boat in idaho contact their state senator right away, and especially senators on the Senate Resources Committee.  We suggest that you support a comprehensive invasive mussel program, but oppose the concept of charging a fee for all non-motorized boats. We suggest that you oppose this bill (H213) as written, since it does nothing except impose a tax on recreation.   

 

Find your Senator, and the Senators on the Resources & Environment Committee here.

 

Below is a list of the Senators on the Resources & Environment Committee for your convenience.

 

Learn more about how you can really keep from spreading invasive mussels here 

 

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Senate Resources & Environment Committee

Senator  Gary  Schroeder, (R) - Chair 

District 6, Moscow
1289 Highland, Moscow, 83843
Bus (208) 882-0601
FAX (208) 882-5715

Senator  Steve  Bair, (R) - Vice Chair 

District 28, Blackfoot
947 W. 200 S., Blackfoot, 83221
Home (208) 684-5209
FAX (208) 684-5209

Senator  Dean  Cameron, (R) 

District 26, Rupert
1101 Ruby Dr., Rupert, 83350
Home (208) 436-5624
Bus (208) 436-4424
FAX (208) 436-3776

Senator  Monty  Pearce, (R) 

District 9, New Plymouth
2001 County Line Rd., New Plymouth, 83655
Home (208) 278-5408

Senator  Charles  Coiner, (R) 

District 24, Twin Falls
528 Ballingrude Dr., Twin Falls, 83301
Home (208) 734-1675
Bus (208) 423-4015
FAX (208) 423-9089

Senator  Jeff  Siddoway, (R) 

District 35, Terreton
1764 E. 1200 N., Terreton, 83450
Home (208) 663-4585
FAX (208) 663-4428

Senator  Bert  Brackett, (R) 

District 23, Rogerson
Flat Creek Ranch, Rogerson, 83302
Home (208) 857-2217

Senator  Clint  Stennett, (D) 

District 25, Ketchum
P.O. Box 475, Ketchum, 83340
Home (208) 726-8106
FAX (208) 726-8106

Substitute for Senator Stennett:
Jon  Thorson, (D) 

P.O. Box 2210, Sun Valley, 83353
Home (208) 332-1351

Senator  Elliot  Werk, (D)  District 17, Boise
6810 Randolph Dr., Boise, 83709
Bus (208) 658-0388