4.1.2 AQUATIC NUISSANCE SPECIES

Non-native aquatic species (plants, fish and animals) are invading Alabama's waters. These pests can increase dramatically under the right conditions, displacing native species, clogging waterways, and impacting navigation and recreation. Once introduced, they are nearly impossible to eliminate. Zebra Mussels are nuisance species that can be accidentally transported by recreational boaters when caught in propellers, intakes or attached to hulls.

• Inspect your boat and remove aquatic plants or animals before you leave any body of water.
• Flush raw-water cooling systems and clean sea strainers before moving your boat from one body of water to another.
• Empty bait buckets and remove any plant fragments from bait wells, fishing gear, trailers, dive gear or props. Dispose of the plant fragments on land, in a garbage receptacle.
• Drain water from your motor, live wells and bilge.
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• Wash your boat before putting it into a new body of water
• Report any new infestation of non-native aquatic species to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

TO STOP THE SPREAD OF AQUATIC SPECIES, IT IS BEST TO CLEAN YOUR BOAT BEFORE YOU LEAVE THE BODY OF WATER.

4.2.2 ALABAMA MSD REGULATIONS

Boats operating on state waters with an installed toilet must also have a sanitation system to prevent pollution and discharge of raw sewage. A typical sanitation system consists of: an installed toilet, a waste treatment system (MSD), and/or a holding tank.

As of October 1, 2003 all vessels with MSDs installed require annual inspection by Marine Police Officers. Upon successful completion of the inspection the vessel owner will be issued a Compliance Decal which will be valid for 1 year.

With over one million boaters enjoying Alabama's 1 million acres of lakes, 1,600 miles of rivers and 53 miles of coastline each year, comes a growing concern for clean water and other environmental issues, such as marine sewage and litter disposal. To combat these health and environmental problems, the State Legislature passed the Marine Sanitation Act, 2002-59, which became effective in 2003. This Act regulates sewage discharge from recreational vessels and residence boats. The following is a synopsis of the Act:

• Portable toilets are prohibited from dumping raw sewage into any state waters.
• Discharge of untreated sewage is prohibited on all state waters. Gray water (galley water, bath and shower water, and bilge water) is exempt.
• All recreational vessels and residence boats with marine sanitation devices must be inspected annually by a Marine Police officer or other Dept. of Conservation employee. A compliance decal is issued if vessel meets the requirements of the Act and Department.
• All marine sanitation devices must meet the U.S. Coast Guard and EPA standards.
• Boats with holding tanks (Type III MSD) cannot moor, anchor, dock or be stored at marinas without pump-out facilities, except in a safety emergency.
• Marine Police officers or any duly sworn peace officer may board and inspect for compliance if there is probable cause to believe that a violation of this act or departmental rules has occurred. First time offenders will receive a warning and will have 90 days to come into compliance. Conviction of this Act will result in a minimum fine of $100.00 up to a maximum fine of $1000.00.

4.2.3 ALABAMA NO DISCHARGE ZONES

Alabama's no discharge zones include the following bodies of water and any others that meet the federal guidelines:

• Smith Lake,
• All lakes on the Tallapoosa River system
• All lakes on the Coosa River system with the exception of Weiss Lake.