Code of Massachusetts Regulations
302 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND RECREATION
Title 302 CMR 18.00 - Aquatic Nuisance Control Program
Section 18.04 - Aquatic Nuisance Control Program
Universal Citation: 302 MA Code of Regs 302.18
Current through Register 1531, September 27, 2024
(1) Inspections.
(a)
Authorized Personnel may inspect Vessels, Boat Transporters, Personal
Watercraft, and other related equipment, including, but not limited to,
outboard motors, for the presence of Aquatic Nuisance Species.
(b) No person may refuse an Inspection by
Authorized Personnel on public property.
(2) Decontamination.
(a)
Standard
Techniques. Each person who owns or operates a Vessel, vehicle,
Boat Transporter, Personal Watercraft, or other related equipment must:
1.
Check/Clean.
Immediately upon leaving any Inland Water, remove all plants and animals,
except for legally harvested fish and game, from the Vessel, motor, boat
trailer, anchors, or any other equipment and dispose of them on land, well away
from the water, or in a trash can;
2.
Drain. Dispose of
livewell, cooling, bilge and ballast water away from the shore after each use
in Inland Water. Purchased or collected bait need not be drained unless there
has been an exchange of lake water; and
3.
Dry. All
equipment must be dried prior to its use on another Inland Water
body.
(b)
Public Access Facilities. Where a decontamination
facility is administered or approved by DCR, in coordination with OFBA, and
offered at a public access facility, Vessels, vehicles, Boat Transporters,
Personal Watercraft, and other related equipment that utilize such facility
ramp shall be decontaminated at the decontamination facility as a condition of
their use of the public access facility. Where there is no decontamination
facility available or in operation at a public access facility, users of public
access facilities shall comply with all other applicable decontamination,
certification and Inspection requirements in 302 CMR 18.04(1) and
(2).
(c)
Clean Boat
Certification Program. A determination that an Inland Water body
is at high or moderate risk for ANS, including, without limitation, zebra
mussels, will be made when the Inland Water body is found to have physical
conditions, such as water chemistry, that would allow the establishment of
zebra mussels or any other ANS. When the Department makes such a determination,
the self reporting program known as the "Clean Boat Certification Program"
applies. Additionally, the DCR website (www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dcr ) will
include a list of Inland Water bodies where compliance with the Clean Boat
Certification Program is required.
1. In
addition to, or in lieu of, Inspections and decontamination
procedures required for all Vessels, vehicles, Boat Transporters, Personal
Watercraft, or other related equipment, users of a water body determined to be
at high or moderate risk for specific ANS, or users of a public access
facility, shall comply with the Clean Boat Certification Program established
for that water body or facility.
2.
At each such Inland Water body or facility, the presence of the Clean Boat
Certification Program will be posted at or near boat ramps and other authorized
entry points to the Inland Water body or facility, and the certification forms
required to be completed by users will be provided.
3. On each visit to a water body, users of
designated Inland Water bodies or public access facilities must certify in
writing that their Vessels, vehicles, Boat Transporters, Personal Watercraft,
or other related equipment have been properly decontaminated. Certification
forms should be placed inside the user's vehicle so it can be seen from outside
while at the facility.
Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Massachusetts may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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