Polk County, WI Illegal Transport of Aquatic Plants and Invasive Animals
Polk County,
WI,
US
Type: Ordinance
Status: Adopted in 2008
Source File: http://www.co.polk.wi.us/landwater/docs/Ordinance.FINAL.pdf
Text:
Ordinance No. 10-08
ILLEGAL TRANSPORT OF AQUATIC PLANTS AND INVASIVE ANIMALS ORDINANCE
The County Board of Supervisors of the County of Polk does ordain the Illegal Transport of Aquatic Plants and Invasive Animals Ordinance, as follows:
Section 1 Purpose and Statutory Authority.
The purpose of this ordinance is to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species in Polk County
and surrounding water bodies in order to protect property values and the property tax base and
ensure quality recreational opportunities.
This ordinance is adopted under authority of Section 59.03 of the Wisconsin Statutes.
Section 2 Definition of Aquatic Plants and Invasive Animals.
A. “Aquatic plant” means a non-woody 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 or any rights proffered by the Treaty of 1838.
B. “Invasive animal” means 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.
Section 3 Prohibited Transport of Aquatic Plants and Invasive Animals.
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 floatation 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.
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. 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 ordinance to the first suitable and safe location and there clean and remove any remaining aquatic plants or invasive animals consistent with this ordinance.
Section 4 Exceptions to Transport of Aquatic Plants and Invasive Animals.
Unless otherwise prohibited by law, a person may transport aquatic plants:
A. for disposal as part of a harvest or control activity conducted under an aquatic plant management permit issued under ch. NR 109.
B. 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. when conducting an aquatic plant study for the purposes of vouchering specimen or conducting an educational workshop and in a closed container.
D. when harvested for personal or commercial use, such as to be used as compost or mulch, and in a closed container.
E. 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.
Section 5 Citation and Enforcement.
A. Any person who violates a provision of this ordinance shall be subject to a forfeiture of not less than $200 and not more than $500 for the first offense and each subsequent offense. Said person shall be also subject to court costs for such violation.
B. Each violation shall be considered a separate offense.
C. Legal action may be initiated against a violator by the issuance of a citation pursuant to Sec. 66.0113(1)(a)(2005). Said citation may be issued by a law enforcement officer of Polk County.
D. The citation shall contain the following:
- (1) The first, middle, and last name, address, and date of birth of the alleged violator.
- (2) Factual allegations describing the alleged violation.
- (3) The date, time and place of the offense.
- (4) The ordinance and section of the violation.
- (5) A description of the offense in such a manner as can be readily understood by a person making a reasonable effort to do so.
- (6) The date and time at which the alleged violator may appear in court.
- (7) A statement which, in essence, informs the alleged violator:
- (a) That a cash deposit based on the schedule established by this section may be made which shall be delivered to the Clerk of Courts prior to the time of the scheduled court appearance.
- (b) That if a deposit is made, no appearance in court is necessary unless subsequently summoned.
- (c) That if a cash deposit is made and the alleged violator does not appear in court, they will be deemed to have entered a plea of no contest or, if the court does not accept the plea of no contest, a summons will be issued commanding them to appear in court to answer the complaint.
- (d) That if no cash deposit is made and the alleged violator does not appear in court at the time specified, an action may be commenced to collect the forfeiture.
- (e) A direction that if the alleged violator elects to make a cash deposit, the statement which accompanies the citation shall be signed to indicate that the statement required under Paragraph D.(7), above, has been read. Such statement shall be brought with the cash deposit.
- (f) Such other information as the County deems necessary.
E. Any person who receives a citation shall be subject to the penalty provision under Section 35.50 (3).
F. Section 66.0113(3), Wis. Stats. relating to violator’s options and procedure on default, is hereby adopted and incorporated herein by reference.