Sec. 1. 38 MRSA §419-C is enacted to read:

§419-C.__Importation of Eurasian water milfoil prohibited

A person may not transport Eurasian water milfoil to or from any state surface waters.__A person that violates this section commits a civil violation for which a forfeiture not to exceed $500 may be adjudged.

Sec. 2. Post notification at public boat launches. The Commissioner of Environmental Protection, in conjunction with the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, shall post the following notice at public boat launches in the State:

"1. Transporting Eurasian water milfoil to or from any state surface water is prohibited (38 M.R.S.A. §419-C).

2. If your boat or equipment has been exposed to any Eurasian water milfoil infested water, the following steps should be taken prior to putting your boat or equipment in any Maine lake, pond or other water body:

A. Inspect for and scrape off from your boat's hull or equipment or any exposed areas any visible water milfoil;

B. Carefully flush with clean water all boat hulls, outdrive, live wells, bilge, trailers, anchors, ropes, bait buckets, raw engine cabling systems and other boat parts or equipment; and

C. Dry boats, trailers and equipment thoroughly in the sun."

SUMMARY

This bill prohibits the importation into state waters of Eurasian water milfoil, a nonnative aquatic plant that is known for its rapid growth and ability to alter a lake's natural environment. The bill also requires that the Commissioner of Environmental Protection, in conjunction with the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, post at public boat launches in the State notice of the prohibition and the steps necessary to remove milfoil from a boat.