Utah Division of Wildlife Resources reported that during the 2022 Pioneer Day weekend, 12,197 inspections were performed statewide, and 252 boats were decontaminated. DWR conservation officers issued 25 citations and warnings for violations of Utah laws established to prevent the spread of invasive mussels. Most of the violations that happened this year were from boaters and others with watercraft not stopping at an inspection station or boaters failing to take the mandatory mussel-aware boater program course and not paying the associated aquatic invasive species fee. DWR Aquatic Invasive Species Lt. Bruce Johnson said, “Thank you to all the boaters who work with our staff and are cooperative in preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species. We appreciate the effort and time boaters take to comply with laws to protect our waters in Utah.” Visit STDofthesea.utah.gov for more information.
