BELLINGHAM, Wash. – Whatcom County Public Works says its boat inspection program successfully kept invasive species out of local lakes in 2022.

The department says in a newly released video that inspections cleared invasive mussels from 24 boats and aquatic plants from another 93 vessels.

Inspectors drained standing water from over 1,100 boats and helped launch over 14,000 boats that were free of invasive species.

All boats entering Lake Whatcom and Lake Samish are required to be inspected.

Invasive animals and plants can decimate native species, damage infrastructure and harm drinking water.