H.89

Introduced by   Representatives Rodgers of Glover, Baker of West Rutland, Brown of Walden, Deen of Westminster, Larrabee of Danville, Larson of Burlington, Pillsbury of Brattleboro and Zuckerman of Burlington

Referred to Committee on

Date:

Subject:  Conservation and development; water resources; aquatic nuisances; signs; fine; education

Statement of purpose:  This bill proposes to direct the commissioner of environmental conservation to place a sign at access ramps on any bodies of water infected with an aquatic nuisance, and to develop educational materials about aquatic nuisances to be placed in appropriate fish and wildlife publications and included with motor boat registration mailings; and to increase the fine for transporting an aquatic nuisance from $150.00 to $1,000.00.

AN ACT RELATING TO AQUATIC NUISANCE CONTROL

It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:

Sec. 1.  10 V.S.A. § 921(b) is amended to read:

(b)  The aquatic nuisance control program shall perform the following services:

(1)  receive and respond to aquatic nuisance complaints;

(2)  work with municipalities, local interest organizations, and private individuals and agencies of the state to develop long-range programs regarding aquatic nuisance controls;

(3)  work with federal, state, and local governments to obtain funding for aquatic nuisance control programs;

(4)  [Repealed.]

(5)  administer a grant-in-aid program under section 922 of this title;

(6)  place a sign at least 567 square inches in size which states that the water is infected with an aquatic nuisance, so that it is easily visible from a ramp used to launch vessels at any fish and wildlife access area on a body of water infected with an aquatic nuisance;

(7)  provide the commissioner of fish and wildlife and the commissioner of motor vehicles with written educational information about aquatic nuisances, which can be included in an envelope containing a boat registration and in a fish and wildlife publication pertaining to fishing and boating.

Sec. 2.  10 V.S.A. § 1266(c) is added to read:

(c)  A person violating this section may be fined up to $1,000.00.

Sec. 3.  10 V.S.A. § 4132(b) is amended to read:

(b)  The commissioner may publish such bulletins as he or she deems advisable for information and instruction concerning the work of the department and shall keep an account of the business and proceedings of the department.  Any publication available to the general public which describes rules and regulations regarding boating and fishing shall include information about aquatic nuisances provided to the commissioner pursuant to subdivision 921(b)(7) of this title.

Sec. 4.  10 V.S.A. § 4145(d) is added to read:

(d)  The board shall allow the commissioner of environmental conservation to post aquatic nuisance signs pursuant to subdivision 921(b)(6) of this title.

Sec. 5.  23 V.S.A. § 3305(k) is amended to read:

(k)  The commissioner shall enclose with every permanent and temporary motorboat registration and registration renewal certificate issued pursuant to this chapter:

(1)  information about aquatic nuisances provided to the commissioner pursuant to 10 V.S.A. § 921(b)(7); and

(2)  the following statement:

“I.  Transporting zebra mussels or Eurasian milfoil to or from any Vermont water surface is illegal (10 V.S.A. § 1266).

“II.  If your boat or equipment is exposed to Lake Champlain or any other zebra mussel or Eurasian milfoil infested water, the following steps should be taken prior to putting your boat or equipment in another Vermont lake, pond or other water body:

“A.  Inspect for and scrape off from your boat’s hull or equipment or any exposed areas any visible mussels or milfoil.

“B.  Carefully flush with clean water all boat hulls, outdrive, live wells, bilge, trailers, anchors, ropes, bait buckets, raw engine cabling systems, and other boat parts or equipment.

“C.  Dry boats, trailers, and equipment thoroughly in the sun.”