NH “Clean & Drain” Bill Hearing on Jan. 26

[dave603]

Requires you to drain boats upon removal of any water body during transport.
$50 fine for first offense $250 for each subsequent offense
Also requires the removal of any vegetation.
Effective Jan. 1st 2017

Text of the bill:
http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/House/committees/billtext.aspx?billnumber=HB1589.html

[LIforrelaxin]

I grew up doing this to begin with... Don't most trailer boaters do this anyways?

The only real issue/complication here, I could see would be for fishermen, that want to keep the fish alive in the livewell.....

[Winnisquamer]

This is actually lenient in compares to other states. Where I have a surf boat with ballast bags in other states you are requires to stop at a pumping station and fully fill and flush your ballast system individually with hot water. Also requires inspection from marine patrol.

This typically takes an hour or so. So when you're done with your day you have another hour or so to upkeep the law. Luckily some boat manufacturers are installing filters before their tanks to eliminate the chance of zebra mussels and other aquatic life from being spread. Like LIforrelaxin said I usually try to get every drop of water I can out of the boat if it is out of the water to avoid mold and mildew!

[radioman]

As many know, it has been illegal to transport evasive species within the state for many years. Such is not the case in all other states, while some states have even more comprehensive laws. The one main difference is that this bill would require most boats to drain the bilge and any other compartment because it is pretty simple to remove plants like Milfoil, but viable reproductive amoeba from things like Zebra Mussels cannot be seen without a microscope. The real problem is one of enforcement.

[MAXUM]

I grew up doing this to begin with... Don't most trailer boaters do this anyways?

The only real issue/complication here, I could see would be for fishermen, that want to keep the fish alive in the livewell.....

I thought that too was illegal.