§ 38 §1872 — Action plan to protect State's inland waters

The task force shall also recommend to the department an action plan to protect the State's inland waters from invasive aquatic plants and nuisance species. That plan may include, but is not limited to:
1.
Identification of inland waters known to be infested.
Identification of inland waters of the State that are known to be infested with invasive aquatic plants and nuisance species;
2.
Vulnerability assessment.
Recommendations on conducting a preliminary vulnerability assessment of the State's largest inland waters to identify the largest inland waters in the State most at risk of infestation by invasive aquatic plants and nuisance species. That assessment may include such factors as the proximity of the inland water body to other infested waters, proximity of major transportation routes, presence of a public watercraft launch, use of the inland water body by transient boaters, the number of lakefront property owners and other factors as the commissioner may determine to be appropriate. The assessment also must identify the most probable vectors or pathways of introduction of invasive aquatic plants and nuisance species and identify those inspection locations most likely to result in identification and prevention of new introductions;
3.
Lake monitoring program.
Recommendations on a program to monitor inland waters in the State for new introductions of invasive aquatic plants and nuisance species, including recommendations on implementing that program and methods to provide for the periodic inspection of inland waters for new introductions of invasive aquatic plants and nuisance species, particularly in areas close to public watercraft launch facilities;
4.
Response program.
Recommendations on a response program to deal with new introductions of invasive aquatic plants and nuisance species in inland waters in the State; and
5.
Training and public information materials.
Recommendations on the development and distribution of training materials and public information materials for use by the public, lake monitors and persons authorized to inspect boats for invasive aquatic plants and nuisance species.

Legislative History

PL 2001, c. 434, §B2 (NEW). PL 2013, c. 300, §18 (AMD).