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We recently returned to Oregon after a few days on Lake Shasta, and when we passed the mandatory watercraft-inspection station I realized that the big floating island we had in the back of my truck may or may not require inspection. So, does it? — CF, Medford We at Since You Asked Central are pretty in tune with the rules of mandatory inspections of watercraft entering Oregon at certain checkpoint stations, including the Port of Entry along Interstate 5 near milepost 15, which check for aquatic invasive species such as zebra mussels. The program is designed to ensure that nonnative aquatics can’t hitchhike into Oregon waterways on boats floated in infested waters such as Arizona’s Lake Havasu. But float toys on the back of a houseboat? “That’s a gray area,” says Rick Boatner, the appropriately named head of the state’s aquatic invasive species prevention program. “Technically, it’s not required, but if it’s been in the water a while, it’s probably a good idea to get it inspected.” Watercraft are defined as craft that require personal flotation devices to be worn or accessible, Boatner says. Floating toys don’t require them, so those carrying floaties won’t be susceptible to citations. “But if it’s a big thing, it would be a good thing to get it inspected,” Boatner says. “There aren’t any mussels in Lake Shasta, but there are in Lake Havasu, so if you were there, it would be a good idea to stop.” So far this year, inspection stations have intercepted seven boats with invasive species on them, on pace to match last year’s level of 16 infected watercraft, Boatner says. Owners of boats found to have invasive aquatic species on them are not punished. The boats are decontaminated on site by Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife employees. Send questions to “Since You Asked,” Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by email to [email protected]. We’re sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them.