R657-60-5. Transportation of Equipment and Conveyances That Have Been in Waters Containing Dreissena Mussels

  (1) The owner, operator, or possessor of any equipment or conveyance that has been in an infested water or in any other water subject to a closure order under R657-60-8 or control plan under R657-60-9 that requires decontamination of conveyances and equipment upon leaving the water shall:

  (a) immediately remove the drain plug or similar mechanical feature and drain all water from the equipment or conveyance at the take out site, including water held in ballast tanks, bilges, livewells, motors, and other areas of containment; and

  (b) immediately inspect the interior and exterior of the equipment or conveyance at the take out site for the presence of Dreissena mussels.

  (2)(a) If all water in the equipment or conveyance is drained and the inspection undertaken pursuant to Subsection (1)(b) reveals the equipment and conveyance are free from mussels or shelled organisms, fish, plants and mud, the equipment and conveyance may be transported in or through the state directly from the take out site to the location where it will be:

  (i) decontaminated; or

  (ii) temporarily stored and subsequently returned to the same water body and take out site as provided in Subsection (5).

  (b) To the extent feasible, any drain plug or similar mechanical feature that may retain water or conceal aquatic invasive species shall remain open during the transport and storage of a conveyance.

  (3) If all the water in the equipment or conveyance is not drained or the inspection undertaken pursuant to Subsection (1)(b) reveals the equipment or conveyance has attached mussels or shelled organisms, fish, plants, or mud, the equipment and conveyance shall not be moved from the take out site until the division provides the conveyance operator written or electronic authorization to move the equipment or conveyance to a designated location for professional decontamination.

  (4) Except as provided in Subsection (5), a person shall not place any equipment or conveyance into a water body or water supply system in the state without first decontaminating the equipment and conveyance when the equipment or conveyance in the previous 30 days has been in:

  (a) an infested water; or

  (b) other water body or water supply system subject to a closure order under R657-60-8 or control plan under R657-60-9 that requires decontamination of conveyances and equipment upon leaving the water.

  (5) Decontamination is not required when a conveyance or equipment is removed from an infested water or other water body subject to decontamination requirements, provided the conveyance and equipment is:

  (a) inspected and drained at the take out site, and is free from attached mussels, shelled organisms, fish, plants, and mud as required in Subsections (1) and (2);

  (b) returned to the same water body and launched at the same take out site; and

  (c) not placed in or on any other Utah water body in the interim without first being decontaminated.

  (6)(a) Division personnel may provide the operator of a vessel leaving an infested water, or any water subject to a closure order under R657-60-8 or control plan under R657-60-9, with an inspection certification indicating the date which that vessel left the water body.

  (b) An individual who receives a certification of inspection from the division must retain that certification of inspection until:

  (i) the operator returns to the same body of water and receives a new certification of inspection upon leaving the water body;

  (ii) the operator completes a certification of decontamination; or

  (iii) the operator receives a professional decontamination certificate.