Lake Service Provider Permit Updates- New law changes!


Lake Service Provider Business

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Permit and Training Updates

AIS sign

New Law Changes

Changes to Minnesota invasive species laws affecting lake service provider businesses went into effect on July 1, 2013.

Under the new legislation lake service providers now includes businesses that decontaminate, rent or lease boats, canoes or other water-related equipment. Before this change the law applied only to businesses that install or remove equipment from state waters.

Another revision in the law removes the online AIS training requirement for employees of businesses who work with boats, equipment or structures that remain on their property in the same water body. This legislative change was made to help reduce the staff training burden on lake service provider businesses that are at low risk for transporting aquatic invasive species on their own site.

Due to the expanded definition of lake service providers, additional classes are being scheduled for October and will be posted on the lake service provider webpage soon.

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Permit draft

Updated LSP Permit Coming Your Way

In an effort to streamline and simplify the Lake Service Provider permit, the DNR is authorizing all LSP permit holders to have authority to transport watercraft or equipment with prohibited aquatic invasive species attached back to their businesses to complete decontamination.

When you attended training and received your permit, you were given the choice of requesting this added authority for working in zebra mussel waters. Now all LSP businesses are covered with the same authority and just one version of the LSP permit.

You will be receiving an updated version of your permit in the mail this fall that will replace your old one. Please put copies of this updated one in your files and vehicles and recycle your old permit. You do not need to replace the vehicle stickers.

Keep in mind that your AIS transport authority is only a 1-way ticket to transport water-related equipment back to your business. It must be decontaminated and dried as specified in your permit before moving it again - even back to the same water body.

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LSP decon training

First Round of LSP Decontamination Training a Success

This summer the DNR offered three hot-water/high-pressure decontamination trainings to interested lake service provider businesses. Twenty-three participants attended and learned proper methods of decontaminating boats using DNR hot-water/high-pressure decontamination units. The businesses that completed the training are posted online.

Participants rated the training an average of 4.5 out of 5 points overall and all reported that they left knowing what is required to decontaminate watercraft.

We heard great suggestions and feedback from participants, such as using different types of boats, other types of water-related equipment, and boats contaminated with zebra mussels during the hands-on portion of the training to get the full experience and learn some of the challenges of removing zebra mussels. We'll keep working to improve future trainings.

The DNR plans to offer more decon trainings to lake service provider businesses in 2014. The dates and locations will be planned and posted online next year. 

 

Lake Service Provider webpage

Improved Lake Service Provider Webpage Coming Soon!

The DNR is updating the Lake Service Provider webpages to make them easier to use. Keep your eyes open for a new look in the coming weeks.