Grant helps Whitefish develop invasive species program

Whitefish Lake Institute has received a $38,500 grant from the Whitefish Community Foundation this week to develop what is expected to be one of the most comprehensive zebra and quagga mussel prevention programs in the state.

The money will help the institute carry out plans to set up inspection stations at City Beach and Whitefish Lake State Park, a decontamination unit, and invest in continued public education on the dangers and prevention of invasive species infestations.

Whitefish Community Foundation President Linda Engh-Grady said the foundation board recognized the urgency in assisting Whitefish Lake Institute to put the program into action.

“Due to the urgent and critical nature of this project, it is the largest major grant awarded from the foundation,” she said.

The award is one of 13 major grants over $20,000 presented by the foundation, bringing the total awarded to more than $368,600 since the Major Community Project Grant Program began in 2010. This is in addition to the community grant programs and the Great Fish Community Challenge administered by the foundation.

Whitefish Lake Institute Executive Director Mike Koopal said the grant gives the organization the funds necessary to purchase a watercraft decontamination unit that will be used to clean watercraft that pose a high risk of transferring aquatic invasive species to Whitefish Lake. It will allow the decontaminator to pressure-wash a watercraft and/or obtain water temperatures in interior compartments such as ballast tanks to kill the microscopic life stage of zebra mussels. The purchased portable decontamination unit, an industry standard also used by the state of Montana, will be located at Whitefish Marine & Powersports on U.S. 93.

Founded in 2005, Whitefish Lake Institute is a nonprofit that conducts scientific research, provides educational and outreach programming and conducts a community stewardship program for the Whitefish Lake Watershed.