(Des Moines)– An Aquatic Invasive Species Bill was passed by the Iowa House Wednesday night.
House File 2357 prohibits transporting aquatic invasive species on a public road; placing a trailer or launching a watercraft with an aquatic invasive species attached in public waters; or operating a watercraft in a marked aquatic invasive species infestation area.
Violators would be subject to a one-hundred dollar fine.
The bill also requires the Natural Resources Commission to prepare a long-term aquatic invasive species water management plan before January 1st, 2005.
The bill defines aquatic invasive species as Eurasian Watermilfoil, purple loosestrife and zebra mussels.
The bill now goes to the Senate.
Environmentalists in the Iowa Great Lakes Area have been strong advocates of the bill, saying it’s vital to help the lakes remain free of aquatic invasive species.
