GFP Commission Proposes Changes to Aquatic Invasive Species Rules

With the creation of new aquatic invasive species laws (AIS) during the 2020 Legislative Session, the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) Commission proposed the following rule changes at their July meeting:

1. Remove the prohibition in administrative rule on possessing, transporting, selling, purchasing, or propagating AIS from administrative rule. The new laws prohibit all of these activities.
2. Create an additional exemption for possession of AIS to allow an owner or agent of the owner of a conveyance to transport the conveyance for decontamination using a department-approved process.
3. Remove prohibitions in administrative rule on launching a boat or boat trailer into the waters of the state with AIS attached. The new law prohibit these activities.
4. Repeal the rule allowing for the creation of local boat registries. With the expansion of zebra mussels within the state, local boat registries are impractical.
5. Remove the exemption to the decontamination requirement for boats in a local boat registry in association with repealing the rule allowing the creation of registries.
6. Create a new rule to define the department-approved decontamination protocol.
7. Update the list of containment waters to include Pickerel, Waubay, North and South Rush, and Minnewasta Lakes.

Individuals can comment online at gfp.sd.gov/forms/positions or mail comments to 523 E. Capitol Ave., Pierre, SD 57501.To be included in the public record and to be considered by the commission, comments must include a full name and city of residence and meet the submission deadline of 72 hours before the public hearing (not including the day of the public hearing).

The next GFP Commission meeting will be held Sept. 2-3, tentatively at the Outdoor Campus West in Rapid City.