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DEC Reminds Water Recreationists to 'Clean. Drain.
Dry.' Watercraft and Equipment to Protect New York's Waters from Aquatic
Invasive Species
Published: May 24, 2025 at
02:45 p.m.
By: Press Release
from NYS DEC
DEC Reminds Water Recreationists to 'Clean. Drain.
Dry.' Watercraft and Equipment to Protect New York's Waters from Aquatic
Invasive Species
Boat Stewards to Conduct Inspections and Educate
Recreating Public at Boat Launches Statewide Beginning Memorial Day Weekend
The New York
State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) reminds recreationists
to ‘Clean. Drain. Dry.' boats, trailers, fishing gear, and other equipment
before launching in New York’s waters to prevent the spread of aquatic
invasive species (AIS). Starting Friday, May 23, boaters will see the blue
vests worn by watercraft inspection stewards, also known as boat stewards,
at more than 220 boat launches and decontamination stations throughout the
state. Boat stewards are volunteers or paid members of local
communities who help protect New York State's waters.
“Boat stewards
are vital to protecting our lakes, ponds, and rivers from harmful invasive
species like zebra mussels, hydrilla, and Eurasian watermilfoil,” DEC
Acting Commissioner Amanda Lefton said. “As we kick off this year’s
boating season, DEC and our partners across the state encourage those out
on the waters to respectfully interact with New York’s boat stewards and
support our ongoing efforts to safeguard our waters from invasive pests.”
In 2024, stewards
conducted more than 219,000 watercraft inspections and intercepted over
11,000 aquatic invasive plants and animals while raising awareness about
AIS and fostering stewardship of New York’s waters. The State
Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) works
collaboratively with DEC's Watercraft Inspection Steward Program (WISP) operating approximately 30 sites located at State Park
ramps.
Aquatic invasive
plants, like water chestnut, can shade out native
plants that provide food and shelter for native animals and lower dissolved
oxygen levels. Invasive fish like round goby can carry pathogens, prey upon
native fish eggs and fry, and out-compete native fish species. Both invasive plants and animals
can also impact local economies.
This year through
WISP, in collaboration with the State Canal Corporation, a new boat wash
decontamination unit is being planned for deployment at Cove Road
Boat launch on Oneida Lake, with further goals to expand at more sites
in the State Canal system.
New York State
Canal Corporation Director Brian U. Stratton said, “Doing our
part to support healthy ecosystems, such as working to prevent the spread
of aquatic invasive species within the Canal System and connected waters,
is an important effort that we can make to ensure these waterways remain
vibrant recreational resources now and in the years
to come. We are proud to partner with DEC and the WISP program, as we
endeavor to continue placing boat wash stations around the Canal System,
just like the one that will be stationed at the Cove Road boat launch.”
New
York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic
Preservation (OPRHP) Commissioner Pro Tempore Randy Simons said, “New York State
Parks is pleased to join our partners in taking aggressive efforts to
prevent invasive species from entering and degrading State lands and
waters. I encourage the boating public to do its part and learn and carry
out a few simple precautions to protect waters that make our state’s
waterways so scenic and enjoyable.”
All water
recreationists are advised to follow these steps to help prevent the spread
of AIS:
- Clean mud, plants, and animals off boats,
trailers, fishing gear, and other equipment (trailer bunks, axles,
rollers, lights, transducers, and license plates; motor props; waders;
diving gear; anchors; etc.) and discard the material in a trash can or
at a disposal station;
- Drain all water-holding compartments,
including ballast tanks, live wells, and bilge areas, before leaving
an access site;
- Dry everything thoroughly before using boats
or equipment in another waterbody; drying
times can vary, but five to seven days in dry, warm conditions is recommended;
- When there's no time to dry between uses,
disinfect boats and equipment with hot water that is at least 140
degrees Fahrenheit or visit a decontamination site;
- Pick up a Clean. Drain. Dry. towel and a
Protect Your Waters sticker from one of the stewards as a reminder to
take these preventive steps;
- Use certified bait that is non-invasive and
disease free; and
- Do not dump aquarium contents in any
waterbodies, drainage ditches, or sewers.
All boaters
operating any kind of motorized watercraft in the Adirondack Park and
within 10 miles of the Blue Line are required by law to possess
certification that, before launching, their vessel has undergone measures
to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species by following the Clean.
Drain. Dry. standards. These certificates can be acquired by visiting a DEC
designated aquatic invasive species inspection station where boat stewards
are present to inspect or decontaminate vessels and to provide boaters with
a certification card. Boaters may perform Clean. Drain. Dry. steps
themselves and then complete a self-issued certificate (PDF) to be printed and
carried by boat users.
DEC and the Canal
Corporation continue to work closely with state, local and federal partners
including the Lake Champlain Basin Program, U. S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, U.S. Geological Survey, to implement a comprehensive,
science-based management strategy to limit the movement of round goby
toward Lake Champlain. The round goby is one of the most significant
invasive threats to New York State waters, particularly Lake Champlain. DEC
lists round goby as a prohibited invasive species in State regulations. Native
to Europe and Asia, this fish was introduced in the Great Lakes in 1990 and
spread throughout the lakes' system. Round gobies reproduce quickly,
outcompete native fish species for food and habitat, eat the young and eggs
of other fish, and can transport botulism through the food chain to
waterfowl.
After the round
goby was discovered in the Hudson River near the city of Troy in 2021, the
initial mitigation measures implemented during the 2022 canal navigation
season included scheduled lockings and “double
draining” at Locks C-1 and C-2, and genetic analysis to estimate the number
of spawning adults over time to help monitor round goby populations and
closely track species movement.
All New York
residents and visitors have a role to play in protecting state waters from
invasive species. Visit DEC's website for more information on how to Clean, Drain, Dry boats, fishing
gear, and other equipment. A step by step guide for ridding boats and equipment
of AIS with video can also be found on DEC's YouTube channel
The WISP program
is funded by the State Environmental Protection Fund (EPF). In the recently
enacted 2025-26 State Budget, Governor Hochul increased EPF funding to a
record $425 million, the highest level of funding in the program's history.
The EPF is a critical resource for environmental programs such as land
acquisition, farmland protection, invasive species prevention and
eradication, recreation access, water quality improvement, and
environmental justice projects. The budget includes a renewed $18.5
million in funding to combat invasive species.
DEC also reminds
New Yorkers to treat boat stewards respectfully. New York
State does not tolerate harassment of any kind. Stewards are directed to
report inappropriate behavior or treatment by anyone at boat launch
locations. We encourage members of the community to help stop harassment by
reporting misconduct or harassment to DEC, partner organizations, or local
law enforcement as appropriate.
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