With boating season finally here in Vermont and Northern New York, the New York Department of Environmental Conservation is reminding boaters to make sure they are taking steps to protect the region’s waterways.Officials say aquatic invasive species can spread by hitching a ride on boats, trailers and fishing gear. They are asking boaters to remember to clean, drain and dry their vehicle and equipment before entering a new waterway,Starting earlier this month, boat stewards have been stationed at 330 boat launches and decontamination stations throughout the state. They will be there to help people clean their boats and to provide information about their mission.”We can all take really important individual steps to clean, drain, and dry our boats before we launch them,” said Amanda Lefton, the commissioner of the New York DEC. “We want to remind New Yorkers as we kick off boating season… to make sure New Yorkers take these actions.”The DEC said last year boat stewards conducted more than 220,000 inspections, and intercepted nearly 9,000 invasive plants and animals.
NEW YORK —
With boating season finally here in Vermont and Northern New York, the New York Department of Environmental Conservation is reminding boaters to make sure they are taking steps to protect the region’s waterways.
Officials say aquatic invasive species can spread by hitching a ride on boats, trailers and fishing gear. They are asking boaters to remember to clean, drain and dry their vehicle and equipment before entering a new waterway,
Starting earlier this month, boat stewards have been stationed at 330 boat launches and decontamination stations throughout the state. They will be there to help people clean their boats and to provide information about their mission.
“We can all take really important individual steps to clean, drain, and dry our boats before we launch them,” said Amanda Lefton, the commissioner of the New York DEC. “We want to remind New Yorkers as we kick off boating season… to make sure New Yorkers take these actions.”
The DEC said last year boat stewards conducted more than 220,000 inspections, and intercepted nearly 9,000 invasive plants and animals.