The Bonner County Sheriff’s Office will maintain a law enforcement presence at two watercraft invasive species inspection stations through the end of October under a contract approved by county commissioners and the Idaho State Department of Agriculture.
Deputies will be stationed at the Albeni Falls and Clark Fork inspection facilities to enforce provisions of Idaho’s Invasive Species Act and assist boaters in following the state’s inspection protocol. The contract runs from August 18 through October 31, 2026.
Contract Details and Funding
The sheriff’s office will provide up to 35 hours of service per week at a rate of $57 per hour, with additional costs for mileage and approved supplies. The Idaho State Department of Agriculture will reimburse the sheriff’s office up to $116,525, distributed in four equal installments of $29,131.25 each.
The sheriff’s office bears responsibility for supplying all necessary personnel, equipment, supplies, and supervisory oversight. Deputies are authorized to conduct inspections of premises, lands, bodies of water, watercraft, and related articles in enforcement of the invasive species law.
Addressing Aquatic Invasives
The inspection stations target the prevention and detection of quagga mussels and zebra mussels, invasive species that pose significant threats to Idaho’s waterways and infrastructure. These mussels can clog water intake pipes, damage boat engines, and harm native aquatic ecosystems.
Sheriff Daryl Wheeler noted that the contract experienced delays in implementation. “The contract was slated to start May 27, 2026, but that it took several months to receive a new contract after he requested an increase in pay,” Wheeler said, according to the Bonner County Daily Bee.
The delayed start reflected the time required to process updated contract terms reflecting the higher compensation package negotiated with the sheriff’s office.
What Comes Next
The contract includes a provision allowing early termination if the Idaho Legislature fails to appropriate sufficient funding to support the reimbursement obligation. The arrangement extends through the peak boating season closure in late October, covering the final months when watercraft activity at Lake Pend Oreille and other county water bodies remains elevated.
As invasive species threats continue to evolve across North Idaho, partnerships between law enforcement and state agricultural agencies underscore the region’s commitment to protecting its aquatic resources. The presence of trained deputies at inspection stations strengthens compliance with state protocols and provides educational outreach to the boating community.