{"id":1194,"date":"2015-09-10T17:07:01","date_gmt":"2015-09-10T17:07:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.boatsmartexam.com\/?post_type=article&#038;p=1194"},"modified":"2020-02-13T15:21:40","modified_gmt":"2020-02-13T15:21:40","slug":"washingtons-aquatic-invasive-species","status":"publish","type":"article","link":"https:\/\/www.boatsmartexam.com\/knowledge-base\/article\/washingtons-aquatic-invasive-species\/","title":{"rendered":"Washington&#8217;s Aquatic Invasive Species, Litter Laws and Muffler Requirements"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2015\/09\/NEW-Washingtonheader.png\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1301 size-full\" data-original=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2015\/09\/NEW-Washingtonheader.png\" alt=\"Washington's State Boating Laws\" width=\"3125\" height=\"233\" data-original-set=\"https:\/\/www.boatsmartexam.com\/knowledge-base\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2015\/09\/NEW-Washingtonheader.png 2560w, https:\/\/www.boatsmartexam.com\/knowledge-base\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2015\/09\/NEW-Washingtonheader-300x22.png 300w, https:\/\/www.boatsmartexam.com\/knowledge-base\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2015\/09\/NEW-Washingtonheader-1024x76.png 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 3125px) 100vw, 3125px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>Aquatic Invasive Species in Washington<\/h2>\n<p>Washington&#8217;s Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) pose a risk to native aquatic wildlife, ecosystems and to all of Washington\u2019s water-based recreation. Common ANS in Washington state include: Zebra Mussels, Asian Clams, Sea Squirts, New Zealand Mud Snails, Aquatic Weeds, Chinese Mitten Crabs and a variety of Aquatic Weed types.<\/p>\n<p>Unfortunately, Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) like these, spread easily from one body of water to the next, which is why Washington state has the following laws in place:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>It is illegal in Washington to transport ANS on boats (of all sizes and types), on boat trailers, on fishing equipment (i.e. bait wells, and buckets, etc.).<\/li>\n<li>When trailering a boat into Washington state from another state, you are required to have documentation proving that your boat is free of ANS.<\/li>\n<li>Be aware the state authorities in Washington are permitted to arrest \u00a0and detain and boater they suspect to be transporting a boat or any boating equipment that they suspect to be contaminated with ANS.<\/li>\n<li>More information about Washington\u2019s ANS (those prohibited in the state) can be found here:<a href=\"http:\/\/wdfw.wa.gov\/ais\/species.html\"> wdfw.wa.gov\/ais\/species.html<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Washington&#8217;s Muffler and Noise Level Laws<\/h2>\n<p>All boats equipped with an engine must also be equipped with a muffler system to prevent excessive engine noise.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The muffler must be in good working order, be well-maintained and must always be in operation.<\/li>\n<li>An effective muffler does not produce sound levels in excess of 90 decibels (when subjected to a stationary sound level test).<\/li>\n<li>For engines manufactured on or after January 1st, 1994, the maximum noise level is 88 decibels (when subjected to a stationary sound level test).<\/li>\n<li>For engines manufactured prior to January 1st, 1994, the maximum noise level is 90 decibels (when subjected to a stationary sound level test).<\/li>\n<li>When the sound level is being measured from the shoreline, the maximum noise level is 75 decibels.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>It is illegal to modify or remove your boat\u2019s muffler system, if doing so will increase the engine\u2019s sound level. Additionally, the use of a muffler cutout or muffler bypass system is illegal, unless the boat is engaged in racing events and is in an area that has been designated for that purpose.<\/p>\n<h2>Washington\u2019s Waste Disposal Laws<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Prevent Pollution<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Spilling oil or a hazardous substance into state waters is illegal. Polluters can be fined up to $10,000 per violation or $100,000 for each day the oil poses a risk to the environment, or even more if the spill was intentional. Visit the Washington Department of Ecology to learn more.<\/p>\n<p>If your boat has discharged oil or a hazardous substance into Washington\u2019s waters, you are required to contact both of the following agencies:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The National Response Center.<\/li>\n<li>The Washington State Department of Emergency Management.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>No Discharge Zones<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Currently, Washington does not have \u2018No Discharge Zones\u2019 (NDZs). However, The Washington State Department of Ecology has drafted a petition to the Environmental Protection Agency to establish Puget Sound as a NDZ area. If a NDZ area is established for Puget Sound in the near future, boaters will be required to retain sewage waste on their boat until it can be disposed of in a proper location or onshore facility.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","format":"standard","article-category":[10],"article-tag":[20,247,252],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v14.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Washington&#039;s Aquatic Invasive Species and Litter Laws<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn about Washington&#039;s Aquatic invasive species prevention, plus muffler requirements for boats, and the litter laws for boaters in Washington State.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow\" \/>\n<meta name=\"googlebot\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<meta name=\"bingbot\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.boatsmartexam.com\/knowledge-base\/article\/washingtons-aquatic-invasive-species\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Washington&#039;s Aquatic Invasive Species and Litter Laws\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Learn about Washington&#039;s Aquatic invasive species prevention, plus muffler requirements for boats, and the litter laws for boaters in Washington State.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.boatsmartexam.com\/knowledge-base\/article\/washingtons-aquatic-invasive-species\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"BOATsmart! 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