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Idaho’s invasive species sticker not transferrable from boat to boat

Idaho's invasive species sticker has been required since 2009 on all boats that launch in Idaho, to help fund a fight to keep invasive quagga and zebra mussels out of the state's waterways. The stickers cost $5 for non-motorized craft, $10 for boats registered in Idaho, and $20 for boats registered elsewhere. (Betsy Russell / The Spokesman-Review)
Idaho's invasive species sticker has been required since 2009 on all boats that launch in Idaho, to help fund a fight to keep invasive quagga and zebra mussels out of the state's waterways. The stickers cost $5 for non-motorized craft, $10 for boats registered in Idaho, and $20 for boats registered elsewhere. (Betsy Russell / The Spokesman-Review)

BOATING -- Idaho’s $7 invasive species sticker, which is required on all boats and inflatables longer than 10 feet, cannot be transferred from one vessel to another, Idaho Parks and Recreation officials say.

A story in the Sunday Outdoors section (Aug. 7) suggested otherwise, noting that some boaters were laminating the stickers for more practical attachment such as a cord or zip tie, especially in the case of their rafts.

“Vendors that offer convenient solutions to affixing them to inflatable rafts with rope rigging are doing just that – providing a convenient solution to affixing them to a designated vessel,” said Jennifer Blazek, department spokeswoman in Boise.

But she advised, “The rules are still the rules. The sticker is non-transferrable.” Here's the Idaho Code to prove it.

She acknowledged that nothing on the sticker says it can’t be transferred, but said it’s stated in the rules.

Beyond that, she said the fee is for a good cause dear to the hearts of all boaters.

“Contributions to the Idaho Invasive Species Fund are put to service protecting our coveted waters from invasive species that can devastate a recreational hotspot in a year or less,” she said. “It’s an important program that should be taken seriously.”



Rich Landers
Rich Landers joined The Spokesman-Review in 1977. He is the Outdoors editor for the Sports Department writing and photographing stories about hiking, hunting, fishing, boating, conservation, nature and wildlife and related topics.

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