03-30-2011, 11:10 AM
DENVER --The Colorado Division of Wildlife is reminding sportsmen that Jumbo and Prewitt Reservoir State Wildlife Areas in northeastern Colorado will have new regulations in place this year.
In addition, wildlife managers remind boaters that mussel inspections have begun for the season.
At its March 10 meeting, the Colorado Wildlife Commission accepted a staff proposal to change regulations at the two reservoirs to address non-wildlife recreation-related issues. Beginning April 1, a $36 per adult fee will apply to anyone aged 19-64 using the state wildlife areas that do not have a current hunting or fishing license. The fee will cover entry for one year from April 1, 20 11 to April 1, 2012 and can be purchased wherever hunting or fishing license are sold. A proposal to ban alcohol at the areas was tabled and will be revisited in one year if necessary.
"We are pleased with the outcome of this regulation change and the help of the state wildlife area users," said Area Wildlife Manager Tom Kroening of Brush. "Working closely with the public allowed us to clearly communicate our management concerns and illustrated the commitment of the citizens to protect the area for continued recreation."
Additionally, April 1 marks the beginning of boat inspections at Jumbo and Prewitt to protect the state's reservoirs and rivers from aquatic invaders. The focus of this year's efforts will be zebra and quagga mussels, but boat inspectors will also check for New Zealand mud snails, rusty crayfish and other invasive species.
"This will be the fourth year of Colorado's active boat inspection program and we continue to make the process more efficient, more effective and more convenient," said Elizabeth Brown, who leads the Division of Wildlife's statewide invasive species efforts. "Boaters stepped up to help improve this process and educate each other and we truly appreciate their partnership with us."
Since 2007, officials have stressed the need for boaters to "clean, drain and dry" their watercraft to make sure they aren't transporting an invasive species from one water to another.
Divisions of Wildlife teams have begun boat inspections at Jumbo and Prewitt Reservoirs in northeastern Colorado's Logan County. The reservoirs opened for boating Friday, March 11. Inspection hours at northeastern reservoirs are as follows:
Prewitt Reservoir, 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. on Fri., Sat., Sun. and Mon. Beginning April 1, inspections will be seven days a week from 6 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Jumbo Reservoir, 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. on Fri., Sat., Sun. and Mon. Beginning April 1, inspections will be seven days a week from 6 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Douglas Reservoir, 6 a.m. - 10 p.m., 7 days a week beginning April 1. All ramps will be closed at night. Overnight beaching of boats is prohibited.
For additional inspection sites and hours, see: http://wildlife.state.co.us/Fishing/Mand...ctions.htm
Other Division of Wildlife inspection operations will be carried out at waters around the state as boating access becomes available in April and May. The Division of Wildlife offers boat inspections on dozens of lakes and reservoirs.
In just the past two years boat inspectors have intercepted more than 30 boats with mussels attached coming into Colorado. Those boats have been stopped from entering Colorado waters, preventing the spread of these invasive species. Because of the success of these interventions, no new zebra or quagga mussel positive waters have been discovered in the state since 2008.
Boaters who live or are traveling through Denver, Grand Junction or Hot Sulphur Springs also have access to the Division of Wildlife's permanent boat inspection facilities. Boats inspected at these facilities can be affixed with a seal that will allow the boater to get through reservoir inspections much more quickly.
"A lot of boaters find that it is more convenient to run the boat over to the Division of Wildlife office and get the inspection done a few days before they head out," Brown said. "That way, when the day of the fishing trip comes around, they can get through the inspection and onto the water much faster."
Inspection stations at the Division's Denver headquarters at 6060 Broadway in Denver, Northwest regional office at 711 Independent in Grand Junction and Hot Sulphur Springs area office at 346 Grand County Road 362 are available weekdays during regular business hours.
To help boaters learn more about invasive mussels and to help boaters understand the inspection process, the Division of Wildlife has posted several videos on its website. The videos are available at:
http://wildlife.state.co.us/NewsMedia/Vi...sel.htm<br />
http://wildlife.state.co.us/NewsMedia/Vi...ection.htm
Colorado State Parks also has a number of short videos about the topic available on their website at: http://parks.state.co.us/NaturalResource...sHome.aspx
In addition, wildlife managers remind boaters that mussel inspections have begun for the season.
At its March 10 meeting, the Colorado Wildlife Commission accepted a staff proposal to change regulations at the two reservoirs to address non-wildlife recreation-related issues. Beginning April 1, a $36 per adult fee will apply to anyone aged 19-64 using the state wildlife areas that do not have a current hunting or fishing license. The fee will cover entry for one year from April 1, 20 11 to April 1, 2012 and can be purchased wherever hunting or fishing license are sold. A proposal to ban alcohol at the areas was tabled and will be revisited in one year if necessary.
"We are pleased with the outcome of this regulation change and the help of the state wildlife area users," said Area Wildlife Manager Tom Kroening of Brush. "Working closely with the public allowed us to clearly communicate our management concerns and illustrated the commitment of the citizens to protect the area for continued recreation."
Additionally, April 1 marks the beginning of boat inspections at Jumbo and Prewitt to protect the state's reservoirs and rivers from aquatic invaders. The focus of this year's efforts will be zebra and quagga mussels, but boat inspectors will also check for New Zealand mud snails, rusty crayfish and other invasive species.
"This will be the fourth year of Colorado's active boat inspection program and we continue to make the process more efficient, more effective and more convenient," said Elizabeth Brown, who leads the Division of Wildlife's statewide invasive species efforts. "Boaters stepped up to help improve this process and educate each other and we truly appreciate their partnership with us."
Since 2007, officials have stressed the need for boaters to "clean, drain and dry" their watercraft to make sure they aren't transporting an invasive species from one water to another.
Divisions of Wildlife teams have begun boat inspections at Jumbo and Prewitt Reservoirs in northeastern Colorado's Logan County. The reservoirs opened for boating Friday, March 11. Inspection hours at northeastern reservoirs are as follows:
Prewitt Reservoir, 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. on Fri., Sat., Sun. and Mon. Beginning April 1, inspections will be seven days a week from 6 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Jumbo Reservoir, 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. on Fri., Sat., Sun. and Mon. Beginning April 1, inspections will be seven days a week from 6 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Douglas Reservoir, 6 a.m. - 10 p.m., 7 days a week beginning April 1. All ramps will be closed at night. Overnight beaching of boats is prohibited.
For additional inspection sites and hours, see: http://wildlife.state.co.us/Fishing/Mand...ctions.htm
Other Division of Wildlife inspection operations will be carried out at waters around the state as boating access becomes available in April and May. The Division of Wildlife offers boat inspections on dozens of lakes and reservoirs.
In just the past two years boat inspectors have intercepted more than 30 boats with mussels attached coming into Colorado. Those boats have been stopped from entering Colorado waters, preventing the spread of these invasive species. Because of the success of these interventions, no new zebra or quagga mussel positive waters have been discovered in the state since 2008.
Boaters who live or are traveling through Denver, Grand Junction or Hot Sulphur Springs also have access to the Division of Wildlife's permanent boat inspection facilities. Boats inspected at these facilities can be affixed with a seal that will allow the boater to get through reservoir inspections much more quickly.
"A lot of boaters find that it is more convenient to run the boat over to the Division of Wildlife office and get the inspection done a few days before they head out," Brown said. "That way, when the day of the fishing trip comes around, they can get through the inspection and onto the water much faster."
Inspection stations at the Division's Denver headquarters at 6060 Broadway in Denver, Northwest regional office at 711 Independent in Grand Junction and Hot Sulphur Springs area office at 346 Grand County Road 362 are available weekdays during regular business hours.
To help boaters learn more about invasive mussels and to help boaters understand the inspection process, the Division of Wildlife has posted several videos on its website. The videos are available at:
http://wildlife.state.co.us/NewsMedia/Vi...sel.htm<br />
http://wildlife.state.co.us/NewsMedia/Vi...ection.htm
Colorado State Parks also has a number of short videos about the topic available on their website at: http://parks.state.co.us/NaturalResource...sHome.aspx