Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Permit Program to stave-off the quagga and zebra mussel invasion
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Dear Fellow Outdoor Stewards:
Under the direction of the 2009 Oregon Legislature, the Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Marine Board are implementing an Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Permit Program to stave-off the quagga and zebra mussel invasion from infested states and to contain the invasive species already in our waterways. This year the Oregon Legislature passed HB 2220, a new law that requires all motor boats, sailboats and paddlers of craft 10 feet and longer to purchase a permit when operating their boat(s) in Oregon waterways. The new law also authorizes the Marine Board, Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Department of Agriculture to:
* Operate check stations for the purpose of inspecting boats for the presence of aquatic invasive species.
* Decontaminate, or recommend decontamination of boats that are inspected.
Under another new law, HB 2583, boats with aquatic plants or animals on the hull, motor or trailer are prohibited from launching in Oregon waters.
Together, these new laws aim to protect Oregon's waterways from contamination.
CALL TO ACTION
The Marine Board requires any boat with a motor to be registered and sailboats 12 feet and over. Reaching these boaters is therefore, easy.
Because this new law involves all boaters, we need YOUR HELP to reach the non-motorized boating public.
You can help spread the word by adding these links to your website, hanging posters in a prominent location, and having rack cards on desks/counters and handing out brochures. The Marine Board has information about aquatic invasives and the new permit program at www.boatoregon.com. The education materials for distribution can be viewed and ordered online at
http://www.boatoregon.com/OSMB/library/library.shtml. Contact Jennifer
Gronemyer, Education/Information Specialist, at 503-378-2635 to order by phone.
The Marine Board will work individually with boat dealers, bait and tackle shops, and other interested vendors who are interested in re-selling permits to the public. For more information about becoming a dealer, please contact
Hillery Crew at 503-378-2630.
WHO, WHAT AND HOW
The Oregon State Marine Board has developed the permit infrastructure and rules, and is working in partnership with the Department of Fish and Wildlife to issue permits to the boating public and implement the program.
Program revenues are dedicated to the program to hire regional inspection teams, purchase and maintain mobile decontamination equipment, and train inspectors (ODFW, ODA, county law enforcement and other waterway management personnel), education materials, signage, and the permit infrastructure (electronic and hand-written). The permits are $5 for all registered boats including sail boats (registration is good for two calendar years). For power and sail boats, the fee is paid when the boat is registered. For paddle craft, operators will purchase a one-year permit for $7 ($5 permit plus $2 agent fee). The permit is transferrable and can be used with any manually powered boat. Out-of-state visitors will be required to purchase a
$22 ($20 permit plus $2 agent fee) annual permit, available through ODFW's online license sales and point-of-sale agents.
WHEN
The Department of Fish and Wildlife began selling permits on December 1, through their online license sales at www.dfw.state.or.us/online_license_sales/index.asp. Registration renewals have already been sent by the Marine Board for 2010 and include the $5 surcharge to the registration fee. Boat registrations that expire December 31, 2010 will receive the same renewal notice next year.
IT TAKES A COMMUNITY
The Marine Board has long recognized the threat aquatic invasive species pose to our economy, our environment and our waterways. The Legislature has directed a major increase in our response to those threats.
Please help by learning the basics of prevention and getting involved!
Visit www.boatoregon.com/OSMB/programs/09LawsFAQs.shtml for more information.
Remember, "Clean Boats Protect Clean Waterways."
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions. We greatly value your help spreading the word about this important program.
Regards,
Ashley A. Massey
Public Information Officer
Oregon State Marine Board
503-378-2623
503-378-8587 ext. 82623
"Clean, Drain and Dry your boat to prevent the spread of aquatic nuisance species."
