by Tony Gray
posted: 9 June 2021

ALBANY, NY --- State Senators today unanimously approved legislation to step up the fight against aquatic invasive species in Adirondack waterways. Senator Dan Stec (R-45th Senate District) is a co-sponsor of the legislation, which replaces a law that expired May 31, 2021.

"I was confident we could find agreement in both houses to make this important law permanent," said Stec. "I greatly appreciate the work of Senator Todd Kaminsky (D-9th Senate District). Though it took a little longer than expected, legislative approval this week is great news for our waterways." Kaminsky chairs the Senate's Environmental Conservation committee and sponsored the bill.

The legislation (S7010C) builds on the "clean, drain and dry" law adopted in 2014 requiring boats be inspected for aquatic invasive species such as zebra mussels and eurasian water milfoil before being launched in a waterbody.

The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is authorized to set up boat inspection stations throughout the Adirondack Park and within a ten-mile radius of the park's boundary. Once inspected, DEC may issue the boat operator a certificate in the form of a tamperproof tag. DEC will be required to have a list of all the boat washing inspection stations, and their operating hours, on its website . Boaters may also self-certify following a DEC process to clean, drain and dry their watercraft.

Funding to implement the law will be made available through the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.

The legislation does not include the sunset provision and would take effect immediately if signed by Governor Andrew Cuomo.

"The Adirondack Watershed Institute (AWI) has been at the forefront on this issue," said Stec. "I appreciate their tremendous research and guidance and the support of many others, including numerous environmental groups. There's no question that prevention is the most cost-effective means of protecting our waterbodies. The better we do, the better the health of our waterways and that's great for tourism, boating and fishing."

Locally, water chestnuts are a problem attacked each year by a cooperative effort between Dresden and Vermont.

Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-115th Assembly District) is the sponsor of companion legislation progressing through the State Assembly.