Wisconsin laws regarding aquatic invasive species, as of July, 2007, are very limited:
Chapter 30 of Wisconsin Statutes
30.715 Placement of boats, trailers, and equipment in navigable waters.
(1) In this section:
(a) “Aquatic plant” means a submergent, emergent, or floating-leaf plant or any part thereof. “Aquatic plant” does not mean wild rice.
(b) “Public boat access site” means a site that provides access to a navigable water for boats and that is open to the general public for free or for a charge or that is open only to certain groups of persons for a charge.
(2) No person may place or use a boat or boating equipment or place a boat trailer in a navigable water if the person has reason to believe that the boat, boat trailer, or boating equipment has any aquatic plants attached.
(3) No person may place or use a boat or boating equipment or place a boat trailer in the Lower St. Croix River if the person has reason to believe that the boat, boat trailer or boating equipment has zebra mussels attached.
(4) A law enforcement officer may order a person to do any of the following:
(a) Remove aquatic plants from a boat, boat trailer, or boating equipment before placing it in a navigable water.
(b) Remove or not place a boat, boat trailer, or boating equipment in a navigable water if the law enforcement officer has reason to believe that the boat, boat trailer, or boating equipment has aquatic plants attached.
(c) Remove zebra mussels from a boat, boat trailer or boating equipment before placing it in the Lower St. Croix River.
(d) Remove or not place a boat, boat trailer or boating equipment in a navigable water if the law enforcement officer has reason to believe that the boat, boat trailer or boating equipment has zebra mussels attached.
(5) (a) The department shall prepare a notice that contains a summary of the provisions under this section and shall make copies of the notice available to owners required to post the notice under par. (b).
(b) Each owner of a public boat access site shall post and maintain the notice described in par. (a).
(6) No person shall refuse to obey the order of a law enforcement officer who is acting under sub. (4).
History: 2001 a: 16 ss. 1307 to 1317
Cross Reference: See also s. NR 109.08, Wis. adm. code.
While many people have been callling for adoption of more comprehensive legislation, no such lawmaking has yet occurred. However, WDNR Secretary Hassett submitted to the Natural Resources Board in December of 2006 a list of recommendations for Invasive Species Legislation (click here to see the recommendations). The Board approved the recommendations in early 2007 and forwarded them for legislative drafting. It is unknown when the new laws will be introduced to the Legislature for consideration.