2011 Minnesota Statutes

84D.10 WATERCRAFT AND WATER-RELATED EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS AND PROHIBITIONS.

Subdivision 1.Launching prohibited.

A person may not place or attempt to place into waters of the state a watercraft, a trailer, or aquatic plant harvesting or control equipment that has aquatic macrophytes, zebra mussels, or prohibited invasive species attached except as provided in this section.

Subd. 2.Exceptions.

Unless otherwise prohibited by law, a person may place into the waters of the state a watercraft or trailer with aquatic macrophytes:

(1) that are duckweeds in the family Lemnaceae;

(2) for purposes of shooting or observation blinds attached in or on watercraft in amounts sufficient for that purpose, if the aquatic macrophytes are emergent and cut above the waterline;

(3) that are wild rice harvested under section 84.091; or

(4) in the form of fragments of emergent aquatic macrophytes incidentally transported in or on watercraft or decoys used for waterfowl hunting during the waterfowl season.

Subd. 3.Removal and confinement.

(a) A conservation officer or other licensed peace officer may order:

(1) the removal of aquatic macrophytes or prohibited invasive species from water-related equipment before it is placed into waters of the state;

(2) confinement of the water-related equipment at a mooring, dock, or other location until the water-related equipment is removed from the water;

(3) removal of water-related equipment from waters of the state to remove prohibited invasive species if the water has not been designated by the commissioner as being infested with that species; and

(4) a prohibition on placing water-related equipment into waters of the state when the water-related equipment has aquatic macrophytes or prohibited invasive species attached in violation of subdivision 1 or when water has not been drained or the drain plug has not been removed in violation of subdivision 4.

(b) An inspector who is not a licensed peace officer may issue orders under paragraph (a), clauses (1), (3), and (4).

Subd. 4.Persons transporting water-related equipment.

(a) When leaving waters of the state a person must drain water-related equipment holding water and live wells and bilges by removing the drain plug before transporting the water-related equipment off the water access site or riparian property.

(b) Drain plugs, bailers, valves, or other devices used to control the draining of water from ballast tanks, bilges, and live wells must be removed or opened while transporting water-related equipment.

(c) Emergency response vehicles and equipment may be transported on a public road with the drain plug or other similar device replaced only after all water has been drained from the equipment upon leaving the water body.

(d) Portable bait containers used by licensed aquatic farms and marine sanitary systems are exempt from this subdivision.

(e) A person must not dispose of bait in waters of the state.

History:

1996 c 385 art 1 s 10; 1999 c 92 s 7; 2004 c 243 s 27,28; 2008 c 368 art 2 s 5; 2010 c 361 art 4 s 25; 2011 c 107 s 24-26