2024 Watercraft Regulations - 14

2 0 24 WATERCRAFT REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 62: REGULATION FOR AQUATIC
INVASIVE SPECIES
SECTION 1. AUTHORITY
These regulations are promulgated by authority of Wyoming Statutes §
23-1-102, §§ 23-4-201 through 23-4-205.
SECTION 2. DEFINITIONS
Definitions shall be as set forth in Title 23, Wyoming Statutes, Commission
regulations, and the Commission also adopts the following definitions:
a.
" Aquatic invasive species " is defined in W.S. § 23-4-201(a)(i). Aquatic
invasive species include some species known to be present in
Wyoming and species with a high potential to invade, survive and
reproduce in Wyoming.
i. Aquatic invasive species include:
A. All members of the genus Dreissena, including, but not limited
to, zebra mussel D. polymorpha and quagga mussel D.
rostriformis;
B. New Zealand mudsnail - Potamopyrgus antipodarum;
C. Asian clam - Corbicula fluminea;
D. Rusty crayfish - Orconectes rusticus;
E. Brook stickleback - Culaea inconstans;
F. All members of the genus Hypophthalmichthys, including,
but not limited to, bighead carp H. nobilis, silver carp H. molitrix,
and largescale silver carp H. harmandi;
G. Black carp - Mylopharyngodon piceus;
H. All members of the genera Channa and Parachanna in the
family Channidae (snakeheads);
I. Hydrilla - Hydrilla verticillata;
J. Eurasian watermilfoil - Myriophyllum spicatum; and,
K. Curly pondweed - Potamogeton crispus.
b. " Authorized inspector " means an authorized aquatic invasive species
inspector who has a valid certification from an aquatic invasive
species inspection training course that meets the requirements established
by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (Department)
to certify inspectors for aquatic invasive species inspections.
c. " Certified inspection location " means a location or an address
where a Department authorized inspector may be available to conduct
an inspection.
d. " Infested water " means a water designated by the Department as
having an established population of Dreissenid mussels.
e. " Mandatory aquatic invasive species check station " means a location
established by the Department at Wyoming ports of entry,
other Wyoming Department of Transportation facilities that meet established
state and national safety and commerce requirements for
the traveling public or other appropriate facilities where stopping is
mandatory and an authorized inspector may conduct an inspection.
f. " Positive water " means a water where the presence of any life
stage of Dreissenid mussels has been detected in multiple Department
sampling events.
g. " Seal " means a locking device affixed to a conveyance that has
been inspected or decontaminated by an authorized inspector.
h. " Suspect water " means a water where any life stage of Dreissenid
mussels has been detected in a single Department sampling event,
but not verified by subsequent sampling.
i. " Seal receipt " means a valid written or electronic document issued
by an authorized inspector following an inspection that contains
information regarding the conveyance, any action taken by an authorized
inspector, and information correlating to an applied seal,
if issued.
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j. " Waters of this state " means any waters within the jurisdiction of
Wyoming.
SECTION 3. DRAINING AND CLEANING WATERCRAFT AND
CONVEYANCES
a. Immediately upon removing a watercraft from any waters of this
state, the operator shall remove all visible vegetation from the watercraft
and trailer and drain all water from the watercraft including,
but not limited to, water in the hull, ballast tanks, bilges, live wells
and motors.
i. Containers may be used to transport legally obtained live baitfish
or other wildlife by land, but shall not be a part of a watercraft
and shall be free of aquatic vegetation.
b. No live baitfish, mollusks or crustaceans shall be collected from or
transported in water taken from any suspect water, positive water or
infested water.
c. All bilge and ballast plugs and other barriers that prevent water
drainage from a watercraft shall be removed or remain open while a
watercraft is transported by land within the state.
d. The operator shall drain all water from all conveyances, including
construction and commercial equipment, upon leaving any suspect
water, positive water or infested water.
SECTION 4. INSPECTION AND DECONTAMINATION.
a. Compliance with aquatic invasive species inspection requirements
is an express condition of allowing a conveyance to contact any waters
of this state.
i. Any person who refuses to permit inspection of their conveyance
or refuses to complete any required removal and disposal
of aquatic invasive species shall be prohibited from allowing the
conveyance to contact any waters of this state.
ii.
If a person refuses to allow inspection of a conveyance or to
complete any required removal and disposal of aquatic invasive
species prior to departure from any waters of this state known to
contain an aquatic invasive species, the conveyance is subject
to impoundment until an aquatic invasive species inspection and
decontamination is completed.
b. All conveyances are subject to inspection upon encountering a
mandatory aquatic invasive species check station.
c. Authorized inspectors may inspect any conveyance. Authorized inspectors
shall perform decontaminations at the direction of a peace
officer or with the voluntary consent of the person transporting the
conveyance.
d. Inspections shall be conducted by:
i. any peace officer; or,
ii. any authorized inspector.
e. Once a conveyance is inspected or decontaminated, a seal may be
affixed to the conveyance by a peace officer or authorized inspector.
A copy of the completed seal receipt shall accompany all seals. The
person transporting a conveyance sealed by an authorized inspector
may remove the seal at their discretion. The Department may
recognize a properly affixed seal applied by an authorized inspector
from a state or province with a Department approved aquatic invasive
species inspection and decontamination program if the seal is
accompanied by a valid seal receipt. It shall be a violation of this
regulation for any person to attempt to reattach any seal once it is
removed from a conveyance.
f. A seal receipt indicating the type of decontamination procedure performed
shall serve as proof of decontamination.
g. Any person transporting a conveyance into the state by land, shall
have the conveyance inspected by an authorized inspector prior to
2024 Watercraft Regulations

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