WESTERN STATE AIS REGULATIONS
Searchable .pdf of all western state AIS regulations (Updated 13 July 2021)
State Comparison - A comparison of the state WID programs to the model legal framework (December 2017)
Alaska
Arizona
Arizona’s Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Interdiction Act (HB2157), approved and signed into law in July of 2009, created a mechanism for the State of Arizona to statutorily address invasive species in the aquatic environment, administered through the Arizona Game and Fish Department. The AIS Interdiction Act also provided for the establishment of the Department’s AIS Program, along with the creation of AIS “Director’s Orders” and associated watercraft cleaning/decontamination protocols.
Ariz. Rev. Stat. §§17-255 to 17-255.04
Ariz. Admin. Code R12-41101 and 12-4-1102
Director’s Order 1, 2 and 3 (1: List of Aquatic Invasive Species for Arizona; 2: List of Waters where Listed Species are Present; 3; Mandatory Conditions for Movement of Watercraft)
Arizona Game and Fish Department Operating Manual
California
The Aquatic Invasive Species chapter of the California Fish and Game Code contains general provisions concerning specific invasive species, including dreissenid mussels. The statute directs owners and managers of reservoirs used by the public to develop and implement dreissenid prevention programs. The state has also established a Quagga and Zebra Mussel Infestation Prevention Fee in the state’s Harbors and Navigation Code.
Colorado
Colorado’s Aquatic Nuisance Species law, enacted in 2008, provides Colorado Parks and Wildlife with broad authority to take action to prevent, control, monitor, and eradicate aquatic nuisance species. The law specifically authorizes CPW to operate ANS check stations to inspect and decontaminate watercraft. CPW regulations contain a list of prohibited species and protocols for water body sampling and monitoring and watercraft inspection, decontamination, and impoundment.
Colo. Rev. Stat. Title 33, Article 10.5 (Aquatic Nuisance Species)
2 Colo. Code Regs Chapter 405-8 Chapter P-8 Aquatic Nuisance Species
Hawaii
Haw. Admin. Code Tit. 13, Chapter 76 (Non-indigenous Aquatic Species)
Haw. Rev. Stat. Tit. 12, Ch. 194 (Invasive Species Council)
Idaho
The Idaho Invasive Species Act of 2008 provides for the establishment of the Idaho State Department of Agriculture’s invasive species program, which includes authority to establish, operate, and maintain check stations to inspect conveyances. ISDA regulations identify listed prohibited species and procedures for watercraft inspection and decontamination.
Idaho Code Ann. Title 22, Chapter 9
Idaho Admin. Code Title 6, Chapter 9
Idaho Invasive Species Sticker Regulations
Kansas
Kansas Admin. Reg Agency 115, Art. 7 (Fish and Frogs)
Kansas Stat. Ch. 32, Art. 8 (Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism)
Kansas Waters with Aquatic Nuisance Species
Montana
The Montana Invasive Species Act, enacted in 2009, established the state’s invasive species program and authorized the use of invasive species check stations to prevent the movement of invasive species from infested to uninfested areas. Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks has primary authority to implement the program and the agency’s regulations identify listed prohibited species and set forth the restrictions for contaminated bodies of water.
Invasive Species Law Review Compendium (Montana Invasive Species Council 2018)
Mont. Code Ann. Tit. 80, Ch. 7, Part 10 (Aquatic Invasive Species)
Montana Exotic Species Amendments
Nebraska
Nebraska’s primary legislation governing aquatic invasive species was enacted in 2012. The law creates the Nebraska Invasive Species Council, prohibits the import, possession, transport, and release of aquatic invasive species, and authorizes the Game and Fish Commission to adopt and promulgate rules and regulations governing the inspection, decontamination, and treatment of conveyances capable of containing or transporting aquatic invasive species. Commission regulations identify prohibited species and set forth procedures for watercraft inspection, decontamination, impoundment, and quarantine.
Neb. Rev. Stat. Ch. 37, Art. 2 (Game Law General Provisions)
Nevada
Nevada’s invasive species laws and regulations restrict the import, transport, and possession of listed prohibited species and declare it unlawful to launch a watercraft without first complying with the Department of Wildlife’s inspection and decontamination requirements. The Department of Wildlife is authorized to establish and operate mandatory aquatic invasive species inspection stations.
Nev. Rev. Stat. §§ 488.035, 488.530, and 488.533
Nev. Admin. Code §§ 488.520 – 527 and 503.110
New Mexico
New Mexico’s primary legislation providing authority for the prevention and control of aquatic invasive species was enacted in 2009. The legislation authorizes the New Mexico Game and Fish Department to designate aquatic invasive species and infested waters, sets forth specific requirements for the inspection and decontamination of conveyances and equipment. Department regulations outline procedures for conveyance inspection, decontamination, and impoundment.
N.M. Rev. Stat. Ch. 17, Art. 1 (State Game Commission)
New Mexico AIS Regulations - N.M. Admin. Code Tit. 19, Ch. 30, Part 14 (Aquatic Invasive Species)
AIS Rules (Tit. 19, Ch. 30, Part 14 (Aquatic Invasive Species) (June 2017); Fact sheet associated with amendment of 19.30.14 NMAC
North Dakota
North Dakota passed its Aquatic Nuisance Species law in 2005. The legislation contains provision to prevent and control the spread of invasive species, creates an Aquatic Nuisance Species Committee, prohibits certain activities, and authorizes a statewide management plan and the training of personnel for inspections. The North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s regulations further detail the state’s program, including provisions on seizure, penalties, and the inspection of equipment.
N.D. Cent. Code Tit. 20.1, Ch. 20.1-02 (Game and Fish Department)
N.D. Admin. Code Tit. 30, Art. 30-03, Ch. 30-03-06 (Aquatic Nuisance Species)
North Dakota’s Aquatic Nuisance Species List
Oklahoma
Okla. Admin. Code Tit. 800, Ch. 20, Subch. 4 (Aquatic Nuisance Species Restrictions)
Okla. Admin. Code Tit. 29, Ch. 1, Art. VI, Part 6 (Fishing waters)
Okla. Admin. Code Tit 800, Ch. 20, Subch. 1 (Restricted Exotic Fish)
Oregon
Oregon passed its Aquatic Invasive Species law in 2009. The legislation includes provisions on operating inspection check stations and creates an aquatic invasive species prevention permit and fund. The Oregon State Marine Board regulations cover watercraft inspection stations.
Ore. Rev. Stat. Tit. 61, Ch. 830 (Small Watercraft)
Ore. Admin. R. Ch. 250 (Oregon State Marine Board), Div. 10 (Statewide Rules)
South Dakota
The South Dakota GFP Commission finalized new AIS regulations in March of 2015. Attached is a copy of the draft legal write-up of the regulations. They will be reviewed by the Secretary of State office and will come into effect in April of 2015. The final will be posted here at that time.
South Dakota AIS Statute, S.D. Codified Laws Tit. 41, Ch. 41-2
Tahoe
Tahoe Regional Planning Compact
Texas
Tex. Parks & Wild. Code Tit. 5, Ch. 66 (Fish and Aquatic Plants)
Utah
The Utah legislature enacted the state’s Aquatic Invasive Species Interdiction Act in 2008. The legislation is limited to Dreissena mussels and contains provisions regulating this species and provides for inspections, decontamination, and penalties, as well as the power and duties of the Division of Wildlife Resources and the Wildlife Board. The Utah Administrative Code further details out these requirements.
Utah Code Tit. 23, Ch. 27 (Aquatic Invasive Species Interdiction Act)
Utah Admin. Code R657-60 (Aquatic Invasive Species Interdiction)
Utah AIS Interdiction Proposed Rule
Washington
Washington revised its aquatic invasive species legislation in 2017. The law contains provisions that detail the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s powers and duties, as well as provisions on owner responsibilities, inspection, decontamination and penalties. Washington AIS regulations; Washington AIS Statutes
Revised Code of Washington, Tit. 77 Ch. 135 (Invasive Species)
Revised Code of Washington, Tit. 77 Ch. 120 (Ballast Water Management)
WA Admin. Code, Chapter 220-640 (Invasive/Nonnative Species)
Wyoming
Wyoming’s primary legislation governing aquatic invasive species was enacted during the 2010 Legislative Session. The law provides for the establishment of the Wyoming Department of Game and Fish’s AIS program, which includes authority to establish, operate, and maintain check stations in order to inspect conveyances. To implement the program, the Wyoming Department of Game and Fish has promulgated regulations setting forth procedures for conveyance inspection, decontamination, impoundment and quarantine.
Wyo. Stat. Ann. Tit. 23 (Game and Fish), Ch. 4, Art. 2 (Aquatic Invasive Species)
Wyo. Code R. Ch. 62 (Regulation for Aquatic Invasive Species)