JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Members from the Bureau of Reclamation and North Dakota Game & Fish Department came before the Stutsman County Park Board Tuesday to discuss potential for boat washing and decontamination stations in the county.

Laura Hertz, Natural Resource Specialist for the Bureau of Reclamation, says the invasive species of zebra mussel were in close proximity with the county at this time.

With this in mind, Hertz says they would like to form a cost share program, in conjunction with North Dakota Game & Fish, and use those funds to build some boat washing stations.

Ben Holen, North Dakota Game & Fish Department Aquatic Nuisance Species Coordinator, says they would like the board to consider finding some land to build a station that would be paid for through the cost share.

Holen says there’s possible funding for a few wash stations along Jamestown Reservoir and maybe even a seasonal inspector to view watercrafts like they do in Devils Lake and Valley City.

Hertz says creating boat washing stations have become a high priority for the Bureau of Reclamation and it’s best to become proactive to prevent zebra mussel from contaminating Jamestown Reservoir.

The stations would be completely self-serve with maintenance needing to be covered by the county.

The board made the decision to have Park Board Superintendent Karl Bergh get more information and report back.