Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 49, December 7, 2024
Section 71a.12 - Watercraft requirements and prohibitions(a)General. No person may intentionally place or attempt to place a watercraft, trailer or water-related equipment into waters of this Commonwealth, including aquatic plant harvesting or control equipment, that has aquatic plants or prohibited species attached, in whole or in part, except as provided in this section.(b)Removal and confinement.(1) A waterways conservation officer may order the following: (i) The removal of aquatic plants or prohibited species listed in § 71a.11(a) (relating to prohibited species) from a watercraft, trailer or water-related equipment before being transported or before it is placed into waters of this Commonwealth.(ii) Confinement of the watercraft at a mooring, dock or other location until the related equipment is removed from the water.(iii) Removal of watercraft from a water of this Commonwealth to remove prohibited invasive species if the water has not been listed by the Commission as being infected with that species.(iv) A prohibition on placing a watercraft into a water of this Commonwealth when the watercraft has aquatic plants or prohibited invasive species attached in violation of subsection (a) or when water has not been drained or the drain plug has not been removed in violation of subsection (c).(v) Decontamination of a watercraft, if possible, on site.(2) An order for removal of prohibited invasive species under paragraph (1)(i) or decontamination of a watercraft under paragraph (1)(v) may include issuing a notice that specifies a time frame for completing the removal or decontamination, and re-inspection of the watercraft.(c)Persons transporting watercraft.(1) When leaving a water of this Commonwealth, a person must drain a watercraft holding water (including those without plugs) and live wells and bilges by removing the drain plug before transporting the watercraft. Transporting includes moving the watercraft over land between connected or unconnected waterbodies but does not include moving watercraft within the immediate area required for loading and preparing the watercraft for transport over land. A person transporting game fish as a result of a tournament for weigh-in purposes is not subject to this subsection.(2) Drain plugs, bailers, valves or other devices used to control the draining of water from ballast tanks, bilges and live wells must be removed or opened while transporting watercraft.(3) A person shall ensure the watercraft, trailer, motor, boating gear and conveyance used to transport the water-craft and trailer are free of aquatic organisms, including vegetation.Adopted by Pennsylvania Bulletin, Vol 53, No. 38. September 23, 2023, effective 1/1/2024