[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors
of Price County as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted
where applicable.]
[Adopted 4-21-2009 by Ord. No. 1-09]
A.Â
The purpose of this article is to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive
species in Price County and surrounding water bodies in order to protect
property values and the property tax base and ensure quality recreational
opportunities.
B.Â
This article is adopted under authority of § 59.03, Wis.
Stats.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
A nonwoody, submergent, emergent, free-floating, or floating-leaf
plant that normally grows in or near water and includes any part thereof.
"Aquatic plant" does not mean wild rice when being harvested with
a permit issued under § NR 19.09 of the Wisconsin Administrative
Code or any rights proffered by the Treaty of 1838.
All vertebrate and invertebrate species including zebra mussel,
quagga mussel, rusty crayfish, spiny water flea, or any other aquatic
invasive animal prohibited by the state.
A.Â
No person may operate a vehicle or transport any boat, boat trailer,
personal watercraft and its associated trailer, canoe, kayak, or boating
equipment, fishing equipment, hunting and/or trapping equipment, including
but not limited to personal flotation devices, nets, anchors, fishing
lines, decoys, and waders, from navigable waters onto any roadway
open to the public if aquatic plants or invasive animals are attached.
B.Â
All aquatic plants or invasive animals shall be removed before entering
a roadway open to the public or before launching a boat or equipment
or trailer in navigable water.
C.Â
If in the course of removing a boat from water, the temporary existence
of a boat and trailer creates a safety hazard if not immediately transported
along a public roadway, a person may transport without violation of
this article to the first suitable and safe location and there clean
and remove any remaining aquatic plants or invasive animals consistent
with this article.
Unless otherwise prohibited by law, a person may transport aquatic
plants:
A.Â
For disposal as part of a harvest or control activity conducted under
an aquatic plant management permit issued under Chapter NR 109 of
the Wisconsin Administrative Code.
B.Â
When transporting commercial aquatic plant harvesting equipment away
from any water body to a suitable location for purposes of cleaning
any remaining aquatic plants or animals.
C.Â
When conducting an aquatic plant study for the purposes of vouchering
specimen or conducting an educational workshop and in a closed container.
D.Â
When harvested for personal or commercial use, such as to be used
as compost or mulch, and in a closed container.
E.Â
For purposes of shooting or observation blinds for waterfowl hunting
during the waterfowl season, if the aquatic plants used for these
blinds are emergent, cut above the waterline, and contain no aquatic
invasive species. All other equipment shall have aquatic plants and
invasive animals removed before entering a roadway open to the public.
Any person who violates a provision of this article shall be subject to a forfeiture as provided in Chapter 290 of the County Code. Said person shall also be subject to court costs for such violation. Each violation shall be considered a separate offense. Legal action may be initiated against a violator by the issuance of a citation pursuant to § 66.0113(1)(a), Wis. Stats., and Chapter 290, Article III, Citations, of the County Code. Said citation may be issued by a law enforcement officer of Price County or the Price County Land Conservationist.
