He has acknowledged the zebra mussel is bad. He has responded to commenters that he agrees they need to be controlled. He complains of how the law was passed and implemented.

There are STILL no zebra mussels and I hope we never see them. B.A.T. needs to do his homework and learn the difference between algae and clams and re-read this post as well.

However, before you post an opinion piece on something it would help if you did your homework. Invasive species are a serious issue but you appear to have your head in the sand.

I’d advise you to re-read the second paragraph of this story and then read the story on invasive algae in your favorite paper this morning.

I like what you’re doing but please educate yourself before you post when you don’t have all the facts.

Now for the best part. I emailed the Guardian about this over six weeks ago but there were more pressing growthophobe and transit issues at that time. I tried to get this issue more attention along with Pete Zimowsky at the Statesman. I wrote letters and try to get a few forums I visit the chance to say something…

Last year Butch and the Team(The Revenue Seekers) were working on a plan to have the non-motor boat crowd help pay into the state coffers on an annual basis. Butch and the boat-motor-heads wanted all the little tree hugging rapid runners to pay a registration fee for their little kayaks. The gas-hog clique thought that the non-motor-boat crowd needed to pay their fair share. The non-motor-boat crowd threw a fit. The non-motor-boat crowd has the pay the same boat ramp fees across the state and pay for parking at places like the Payette River near Banks. The motor-head crowd, and Butch and the Team, decided to put together a committee to study how the non-motor-boat crowd could pay their way. Their little committee came up with nothing and at this time last year the issue had dissappeared.

Now enters a Real Estate dude from North Idaho. He is a rep. from the North Land and they(other ID Reps.) call him Rep. Milfoil. He was concerned about invasive species in Priest Lake. I feel the milfoil in the lake might reduce his commission made on lakefront properties so he has a vested interest in keeping the waters clean. This is where my speculation comes in… Butch and the Team found a way to get the non-motor boat crowd to pay their “Fee” by attaching it to a fearful concept of Idaho being invested with more illegal immigrants: The Zebra/Quagga Mussel. If some of you remember the front page of the Statesman there was an article about the $92 MILLION POTENTIAL PROBLEM IN IDAHO WATERS!!! Soon after this a few creative legislators were able to create this rediculous program and force into emergency status with no actual program in place to make it function properly. I don’t even know where the money is currently going??? Do you really think that a few dollars from boaters will be able to create enough revenue to build suitable washing stations at every interstate crossing? Will it be a hazmat center? What kind of highly trained inspectors will look at every boat? What if someone is smuggling rafts across the border? What might we do with all those live little illegals?

So, Butch and this guy from up north were able to circumvent the interests of the local whitewater kayakers by creating the 10 foot rule. Also, what about all those blow up dolls and innertubes on the Boise River. There is no way to make each of them get an invasive species sticker… So they created the 10′ boat rule… There is no mention of felt sole waders… This whole thing is an excercise in poor legislation. The money generated will most likely not even cover the cost of administration. It is already outrageous in cost to register a boat. Now this additional fee! It is approaching the cost of registering a car. And the trailer is registered separately… To be clear I own a 16′ Driftboat and a 12′ raft. I had power boats for years but I got tired of the boat ramp crowds and those pesky marine officers ruining my fun…

Zippo, how is your comment helpful? Merely parroting the Republican talking point of “taxes bad” does nothing to address this problem. Neither does acting like an ostrich and sticking your head in the sand. It just makes a horrible thing inevitable.

I agree with Dave that the legislation was poorly thought through. But its a much better start than the total inaction the legislature accomplished last year. I believe the collaborative effort Dave has begun here can help unscrew it.

“Tip for entrepreneurs: offer the state “certified” zebra mussel inspectors who will sit in the sun at boat ramps during the summer.”

Tip for the Guardian, shut the hell up when you don’t know what you are talking about. This is a very serious problem and your solution is to provide readers with a way to profit out of it.

Boats frequently travel into Idaho from out of state. Last week (while you were burning gas on your 5400 mile joyride) a boat was reported with mussels on it in S.L.C heading north into Idaho. Fortunately a driver (who wasn’t trying to profit out of it) called authorities and the boat was eventually tracked down in Spokane.

Could this situation with the stickers have been handled better? Absolutely. But at least when the problem does appear there will be some money to fight it with.

EDITOR NOTE–Robert, you do have to buy one or face a $57 fine.