§8426 Aquatic resource activities assistance

Summary

Federal land managers may inspect and clean boats and other watercraft when they enter or leave Federal lands and waters they run. Key words used here: Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force — the group set up under section 4721(a) of this title; decontamination — actions to remove invasive aquatic species; Federal land and water — lands and waters run by BLM, Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Reclamation, Forest Service, or National Park Service; Indian Tribe — as defined in section 5304 of title 25; inspection — actions to look for invasive aquatic species; partner — a Reclamation State, an Indian Tribe in a Reclamation State, a nonprofit or local government in a Reclamation State, or a private entity; Reclamation State — Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wyoming; reclamation project — as defined in section 460l–32(3) of this title; Secretaries — the officials listed in the law; vessel — any watercraft used on or above water. The Secretaries must work with partners and consult the Task Force, and try to inspect and clean boats without blocking normal public use. They can join or lead partnerships and help set up inspection or cleaning stations. They cannot bar boat access just because no inspection program exists. Coast Guard rules still apply and work should not duplicate Coast Guard efforts. The Secretary, through the Commissioner of Reclamation and if money is provided, must run a competitive grant program to help partners pay for inspections and cleaning at Reclamation projects. Federal grants may pay up to 75 percent of project costs. Projects must be shown to be technically and financially sound, and the Secretary must coordinate with Reclamation States, affected Indian Tribes, and the Task Force.