Background: Classification and Regulation of Aquatic Animal Species. The Fish and Wildlife Commission (Commission) has the authority to classify species as a prohibited aquatic animal species or regulated aquatic animal species, depending on the risk level and any beneficial use of the species. Unless authorized by the Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW), it is generally illegal to possess, transport, propagate, buy, sell, or release a prohibited or regulated aquatic animal species. The release of a regulated aquatic animal species or a species that has not yet been been classified is also illegal. In general these offenses are punishable as gross misdemeanors.

When the Commission identifies a prohibited aquatic animal species infestation, DFW must develop a rapid response plan to address potential actions such as eradication, containment, enforcement, and public education. DFW and other agencies may post signs at an infestation site to identify the infestation and notify the public of potential penalties for possessing and transporting these species.

AIS Enforcement. In general anyone that has used a commercial or recreational watercraft outside of the state must have documentation that the watercraft is free of AIS. A violation of this requirement is an infraction. DFW must adopt rules to implement the documentation requirement, including identifying the types of allowable documentation.

Specifically, DFW may require anyone transporting a watercraft to stop at a check station and failure to do so is a gross misdemeanor. Check stations must be plainly marked and operated by at least one DFW Officer. A person with a watercraft that is contaminated with invasive species must bear the expense for any necessary impoundment, transportation, or decontamination. However, a person who stops at a check station and complies with DFW directives is exempt from AIS-related criminal penalties and forfeiture.

Summary of Bill: Specifies General Invasive Species Authority. DFW is designated as the state's lead agency for managing many types of invasive species, both aquatic and terrestrial. Subject to the availability of funding, DFW may conduct activities to include the following: monitoring and rapid response actions; conducting education and outreach; aligning standards, classifications, and enforcement provisions with regional, national, and international provisions; and providing technical assistance or other support to government entities and private groups.

AIS Classification System. A new AIS classification system framework is established, which must be adopted by DFW in consultation with the Invasive Species Council (Council). The framework is as follows:

Prohibited Species. Prohibited species are a priority for prevention and management actions. There are three categories of prohibited species: level 1 species pose a high invasive risk and are a priority for prevention and rapid response actions; level 2 species pose a high invasive risk and are a priority for infested site management; and level 3 species pose a moderate to high invasive risk and may be appropriate for prevention or management action;
Regulated Species. There are three classifications for regulated species. Type A species pose a low to moderate invasive risk and have a beneficial use; type B species pose a low or unknown risk and are used for personal or commercial uses, such as aquariums; and type C species pose a low or unknown risk and do not qualify as a type B species; and
Interim classifications are provided until new rules are adopted by DFW.

Rapid Response, Infested Site Management, and Quarantine Authorities. When a prohibited level 1 species is detected, DFW may implement rapid response management actions to contain, control, or eradicate the species. DFW may utilize an incident command system if the action exceeds seven days, and may cooperate with other agencies and private landowners.

Infested site management actions are authorized when a prohibited level 2 species is detected, and may include long-term actions to contain, control, or eradicate the species. In consultation with the Council, DFW may adopt rules governing when landowners may be required to develop and implement these management actions.

DFW may issue a quarantine declaration due to threats posed by a prohibited level 1 or 2 species. The declaration may include a prohibition or limitation on the movement of conveyances or water from an area. DFW may use this authority as part of rapid response or infested site management.

Additionally DFW may, in consultation with the Council, request that the Governor order emergency measures in circumstances where prohibited level 1 or 2 species pose an imminent environmental, economic, or human health danger. DFW may implement measures approved by the Governor, which may include the use of pesticides after consultation with other agencies and landowners and evaluation of alternative measures.

Notification, consultation, and appeals procedures are established for the exercise of these AIS management authorities, as well as a requirement that DFW publicly list infested water bodies. In exercising these authorities, DFW must endeavor to contain, control, and eradicate AIS while protecting human safety and minimizing impacts to the environment and landowners.

AIS Inspections and Decontamination. The scope of vehicles and equipment that must comply with AIS documentation requirements is expanded to any aquatic conveyance entering the state, which includes transportable personal property such as watercraft, watercraft-related equipment, float planes, fish tanker trucks, irrigation equipment, and fishing gear. DFW must implement this requirement by rule, including identifying allowable certificate of inspection forms and the type of conveyances to which the requirement applies.

Anyone using an aquatic conveyance must clean and drain the conveyance after use on a water body or property. This includes removal of visible aquatic plans, animals, other organisms, and water from the water body. DFW may begin enforcing clean and drain provisions on watercraft and seaplanes transporting aquatic plans, but must adopt rules before enforcing the requirement more broadly.

As under current law, DFW may establish mandatory check stations for the inspection of watercraft. DFW may adopt rules covering other types of aquatic conveyances that must stop at check stations. At least one DFW officer, ex-officio officer, or agency representative must be present during check station operation. A person stopped at a check station must allow inspection for AIS and clean and drain requirements, and follow any clean and drain or decontamination orders given.

When encountering an aquatic conveyance with AIS, a DFW officer or ex-officio officer may require decontamination on site, prohibit launch into a water body until decontamination, require immediate transport to a decontamination station, or seize and transport the conveyance to a decontamination station. The specific order depends on the risk and availability of resources, and compliance must occur at the expense of the person in possession of the conveyance.

DFW may operate inspection and decontamination stations, which can be either part of or separate from inspection stations. Authorized representatives with sufficient training may operate inspection, decontamination, and check stations. These stations must be operated consistent with rules established by DFW. Within two years, DFW must submit a recommended fee schedule that DFW-authorized representatives may charge for inspection and decontamination services.

AIS Inspection and Enforcement. DFW officers and ex-officio officers are provided the authority to: temporarily stop persons to inspect aquatic conveyances for AIS or compliance with clean and drain requirements based on reasonable cause; and execute a search or arrest warrant issued by a court based on probable cause that a violation of an invasive species law has occurred.

DFW staff may take samples of invasive species or inspect property or a water body under a warrant issued by a court based on probable cause that an invasive species is present and after seeking the owner's permission for the inspection.

The following acts are established as gross misdemeanors:

failure to stop for inspection of an aquatic conveyance by a DFW officer or ex-officio officer based on reasonable suspicion;
failure to allow inspection while stopped at a check station;
failure to comply with a decontamination order;
possession of a prohibited level 1 or 2 species without DFW authorization;
possession of, introduction of, or trafficking in a prohibited level 3 species without DFW authorization;
introduction of a regulated type A, B, or C species without DFW authorization;
failure to clearly identify by species or subspecies name a regulated type B species used for commercial purposes; and
failure to comply with a rapid response management action or infested site management action.

A class C felony is established for trafficking or introducing a prohibited level 1 or 2 species without DFW authorization, or if a person commits a second invasive species related act punishable as a gross misdemeanor within five years.

A new infraction is established for failure to follow clean and drain requirements or a clean and drain order.

In addition to criminal penalties, violators are subject to any costs incurred in managing the invasive species and its progeny. Certain exemptions apply to AIS offenses, including those in compliance with directives at a check station, acting in a manner authorized by DFW, or returning AIS caught while fishing into the water.

Other. Terms are defined. A number of rulemaking requirements are established. The new invasive species management statutes are located in a new RCW chapter. A number of AIS-related statutes are repealed. An intent section is included.