§ 9-1710 — Aquatic invasive species; spread prevention

§ 9-1710. Aquatic invasive species; spread prevention.\n 1. For purposes of this section:\n (a) "Watercraft" shall mean every motorized or non-motorized boat or\nvehicle capable of being used or operated as a means of transportation\nor recreation in or on water.\n (b) "Launch" shall mean to place a watercraft or floating dock into a\npublic waterbody or any inlet or outlet to such waterbody for any\npurpose, including by trailer or other device or carrying by hand a\nwatercraft into the waterbody.\n 2. No person shall launch a watercraft or floating dock unless it can\nbe demonstrated that reasonable precautions such as removal of any\nvisible plant or animal matter, washing, draining or drying as defined\nby the department pursuant to rules and regulations, have been taken.\n 3. The department may create and maintain a self-issuing certification\ndesigned for a person to demonstrate that reasonable precautions have\nbeen taken prior to launching a watercraft.\n 4. The department shall conduct education and outreach efforts\nincluding, but not limited to the following:\n (a) establish and maintain a public website for the dissemination of\neducational materials to promote cleaning, draining and drying of\nwatercrafts;\n (b) develop and distribute educational materials including, but not\nlimited to, the most effective methods to prevent the spread of aquatic\ninvasive species, and the potential for live wells and other interior\nwater compartments to carry all stages of aquatic invasive species\nincluding those that are small-bodied and microscopic; and\n (c) include boat washing education in approved boating safety courses.\n