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Recreational Boating AIS Prevention Programs

Inspection/Decontamination: Indiana

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Legend

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Program component has been implemented in this jurisdiction

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Program component has not yet been implemented in this jurisdiction

Program Component

Status

Details

Implementation of inspections

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Inspections are not implemented in IN

Implementation of self-inspection at launch points

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Designated self-inspection stations are not available in IN

Availability of decontamination infrastructure

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Evaluation efforts primarily target boater behaviors, knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs to determine if they are changing along with exposure to outreach materials. Recreational boating is a common way for AIS to spread in the Great Lakes and thus WI DNR operates under a high risk assumption for this pathway.

LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS A watercraft inspection and decontamination program (or elements thereof) is authorized

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Indiana does not provide for this in state statute

PROHIBIT POSSESSION AND TRANSPORT The possession, movement, or transport of aquatic invasive species is prohibited

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The IAC provides, “Except as otherwise provided under this section, a person must not import, possess, propagate, buy, sell, barter, trade, transfer, loan, or release into public or private waters any of the following live fish or fry of live fish or their viable eggs or genetic material: [list of eleven fish species.]” The IAC also prohibits the taking of mussels and the sale/transport of aquatic invasive plants.

AUTHORITY TO INSPECT CONVEYANCES The relevant state/provincial agency has authority to stop, detain, and/or inspect boats and/or establish inspection stations

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Indiana Conservation Law Enforcement has the authority to inspect on and in a recreational boating equipment for rule violations, as added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.15.

DECONTAMINATION Designated personnel of the relevant state/provincial agency have authority to decontaminate a boat based on the presence or suspected presence of AIS, as determined during an inspection

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Indiana does not provide for this in state statute

RESPONSIBILITIES There is a legal mandate for boaters to decontaminate their boats, regardless of whether or not inspection stations or decontaminations services are available

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Indiana does not provide for this in state statute

CERTIFICATION The relevant state/provincial agency has legal authority to establish an inspection/decontamination certification program for the purpose of reciprocity with other jurisdictions for inspection/decontamination responsibilities

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Indiana does not provide for this in state statute

DRYING TIME Mandatory drying periods can be imposed via administrative orders or impoundment of a boat

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Recommended towel dry and up to 5 days’ air dry if possible.

PROHIBIT PLACEMENT Launching a boat into waters of the state without first complying with all relevant AIS prevention regulations is prohibited

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The Code provides: “c) Except as provided in subsection (d), a person must not do the following with respect to any species identified in subsection (a): (1) Sell, offer for sale, gift, barter, exchange, or distribute a species. (2) Transport a species on or within any: (A) boat; (B) trailer; (C) motor vehicle; (D) bait bucket; (E) fishing gear; (F) creel; (G) tackle; (H) tackle box; or (I) other means.” It is not illogical to assume that this provision would prohibit placing a boat in water that is infested with invasive species