State and federal environmental agencies are urging recreationists to clean, drain, and dry watercraft and equipment to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species.
These protocols are critical because nuisance species can cause severe ecological damage and create costly economic impacts for waterways and local recreation industries [1, 2, 3].
In Montana, officials are focusing on the Flathead Valley and other lake regions. A reporter for NBC Montana said, "Clean, drain and dry is the message this summer for all watercraft entering Montana lakes" [1]. The campaign emphasizes that tubes, boats, and other water-related equipment must be thoroughly processed before moving between different bodies of water.
Similar warnings have been issued in New York. A spokesperson for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation said, "The DEC urges all recreationists to clean, drain and dry their equipment before launching in New York's waters" [2]. The agency aims to protect the state's diverse waterways from non-native species that can disrupt local ecosystems.
In New Mexico, the Department of Wildlife is also promoting these measures. A KOAT news anchor said, "State and federal agencies are urging New Mexico boaters to follow mandatory 'Clean, Drain and Dry' procedures this summer" [3]. These efforts are part of a broader coordinated push across the U.S. to mitigate the movement of aquatic pests.
The public-awareness campaign for the 2024 season [1] targets anyone using water-related gear. Officials recommend removing all visible plants and mud, draining all water from motors and bilges, and drying equipment completely before the next launch. These steps reduce the likelihood of transporting microscopic larvae or plant fragments that can colonize new environments and outcompete native wildlife [1, 2, 4].
“"Clean, drain and dry is the message this summer for all watercraft entering Montana lakes."”
The coordinated push across multiple states indicates a systemic effort to treat aquatic invasive species as a national biosecurity threat. Because these species often travel via human activity, the reliance on voluntary and mandatory 'Clean, Drain, Dry' protocols shifts the burden of environmental protection onto the individual recreationist to prevent long-term infrastructure damage and biodiversity loss.
