2.Education. The department shall prepare educational materials that inform the public about problems associated with invasive aquatic
plants, how to identify invasive aquatic plants, why it is important to prevent the transportation of aquatic plants and the
prohibitions relating to aquatic plants contained in section 419-C. The department shall make the materials available to
municipalities, lake associations, water quality monitors, law enforcement agents, businesses that sell aquatic plants in
the State and other interested individuals.
A. The department shall provide signs for installation at all state boat launch facilities on fresh waters informing the public
about the prohibition of aquatic plant transportation on boats and trailers and may provide these signs, as available funds
allow, for installation at other boat launch sites including municipal boat launch facilities, campground boat launch facilities
and other commonly used launch sites. [1999, c. 722, §1 (NEW).]
B. The department shall work with the Department of Transportation and the Maine Turnpike Authority to provide signs and educational
materials on all major roads at the State's borders advising incoming boat owners that state law requires all boats and trailers
to be free of aquatic plant material. [1999, c. 722, §1 (NEW).]
[
1999, c. 722, §1 (NEW)
.]
3.Control. The department shall investigate and document the occurrence of invasive aquatic plants in state waters and may undertake
activities to control invasive aquatic plant populations as follows.
A. The department or a person designated by the department may attempt eradication of an invasive aquatic plant from a water
body if determined feasible by the department. If the commissioner determines that eradication activities must be undertaken
immediately, a license is not required under section 480-C for the use of a physical, chemical or biological control material
by the department or a person designated by the department if the use of the control material is specifically related to the
immediate eradication of invasive aquatic plant populations in the water body. Prior to undertaking an eradication activity
and to the extent practical, the department shall notify landowners whose property is adjacent to the area where the activity
will be undertaken. [2001, c. 232, §8 (AMD).]
B. The department may conduct research to test new control methods for the eradication of invasive aquatic plants pursuant to
section 362-A. [1999, c. 722, §1 (NEW).]
C. The department may study and develop a plan that includes the use of water level drawdown for the eradication of invasive
aquatic plants. If determined feasible by the department, the department may implement a plan developed pursuant to this
paragraph. The department may seek funding from private sources to support the activities described in this paragraph. [2003, c. 136, §1 (NEW).]
[
2003, c. 136, §1 (AMD)
.]
SECTION HISTORY
1999, c. 722, §1 (NEW).
2001, c. 232, §8 (AMD).
2003, c. 136, §1 (AMD).
2005, c. 561, §1 (AMD).
2011, c. 47, §2 (AMD).
Data for this page extracted on 02/01/2012 10:16:57.