N.Y. Environmental Conservation Law 9-1710 – Aquatic invasive species; spread prevention
§ 9-1710. Aquatic invasive species; spread prevention.
Terms Used In N.Y. Environmental Conservation Law 9-1710
- Invasive species: means a species that is:
(a) nonnative to the ecosystem under consideration; and
(b) whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health. See N.Y. Environmental Conservation Law 9-1703 - Person: means any individual, firm, co-partnership, association or corporation, other than the state or a public corporation, as the latter is defined in subdivision 1 of § 3 of the General Corporation Law. See N.Y. Environmental Conservation Law 9-0101
- Species: means a group of organisms all of which have a high degree of physical and genetic similarity, generally interbreed only among themselves, and show persistent differences from members of allied groups of organisms. See N.Y. Environmental Conservation Law 9-1703
1. For purposes of this section:
(a) "Watercraft" shall mean every motorized or non-motorized boat or vehicle capable of being used or operated as a means of transportation or recreation in or on water.
(b) "Launch" shall mean to place a watercraft or floating dock into a public waterbody or any inlet or outlet to such waterbody for any purpose, including by trailer or other device or carrying by hand a watercraft into the waterbody.
2. No person shall launch a watercraft or floating dock unless it can be demonstrated that reasonable precautions such as removal of any visible plant or animal matter, washing, draining or drying as defined by the department pursuant to rules and regulations, have been taken.
3. The department may create and maintain a self-issuing certification designed for a person to demonstrate that reasonable precautions have been taken prior to launching a watercraft.
4. The department shall conduct education and outreach efforts including, but not limited to the following:
(a) establish and maintain a public website for the dissemination of educational materials to promote cleaning, draining and drying of watercrafts;
(b) develop and distribute educational materials including, but not limited to, the most effective methods to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species, and the potential for live wells and other interior water compartments to carry all stages of aquatic invasive species including those that are small-bodied and microscopic; and
(c) include boat washing education in approved boating safety courses.