New Illinois laws regarding transport of aquatic plants

Gov. Pat Quinn signed into law an amendment of the Boater Registration and Safety Act that requires aquatic plants or animals to be removed from the exteriors of seaplanes and watercraft before putting them into or transporting them away from a body of water. 

Here is a synopsis of HB3888:

Amends the Boat Registration and Safety Act. Provides that no person may place or operate a vehicle, seaplane, watercraft, or other object of any kind in waters of this State if it has any aquatic plants or aquatic animals attached to the exterior of the vehicle, seaplane, watercraft, or other object. Provides that no person may take off with a seaplane, or transport or operate a vehicle, watercraft, or other object of any kind on a highway with aquatic plants or aquatic animals attached to the exterior of the seaplane, vehicle, watercraft, or other object. Provides exceptions. Provides that a person must comply with instructions given by a law enforcement officer who has reason to believe that the person is in violation of the new provisions. Provides that the Department of Natural Resources shall produce and make copies available of a notice containing a summary of the new provisions and that owners of boat access sites must post and maintain a copy of the notice.

This is an important piece of legislation and a great first step at reducing the spread of aquatic invasive species in Illinois. 

To read the full version of the amendment, click HERE.