2015 FAQs about AIS Regulations: This document includes many frequently asked questions from boaters about regulations and decontamination/removal of water, plant and animal matter on watercrafts and aquatic recreational equipment. 

 

 A Program Coordinator’s Guide to Training Watercraft Inspection Stewards: This document is a step-by-step guide to planning how to train stewards, from determining the date and location of your training to scheduling guest speakers, training day logistics, developing and preparing materials, initiating training and finally, evaluations and follow-up. It provides a list of topics and materials that can be used during the training as well, such as introduction to the region, aquatic invasive species identification and data collection protocol, boater engagement and interpretation techniques, and launch site visits.  

 

Aquatic Invasive Species Display Kits: These kits have materials that assist in providing information to the public about invasive species and taking the decontamination steps that are required while boating in the Great Lake Basin. They are easily transportable and are available for loan from New York Sea Grant. 

 

Clean Boats, Clean Waters Rack Card: This customizable Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers rack card provides information about common aquatic invasive species as well as where boaters should inspect before launching and after retrieving their watercrafts and aquatic equipment. It can be printed and used as informational materials to educate the public about aquatic invasive species and how to clean their watercraft. Or become a Stop Aquatic Hitchhiker Campaign member to access this and other customizable templates. 

 

Inspection Checklist for Thoroughly Inspecting Boats, Watercraft and Water Gear: This is a checklist that may be used during inspection to ensure stewards check everywhere they should look for each inspection they conduct. This list provides a diagram of where aquatic invasive species (AIS) could be on boats, personal watercrafts, kayaks and canoes, trailers, recreational gear and fishing gear. This checklist will ensure consistency with every inspection.

New Steward Orientation Planning Checklist: This is a checklist to ensure that program leaders have covered everything stewards need during their orientation before sending them out to interact the public at their assigned launch. It lists everything that should be done before training day, including developing materials and resources as well as resource materials and training supplies that will be needed for training. It lists the five typical training components and detailed training components to ensure everything is covered during training. 

 

New York State Parks Aquatic Invasive Species Regulations: These are the Part 576 aquatic species regulations that describe what a boater is responsible for before launching from or leaving a boat launch. This document also specifies what these regulations apply to such as watercrafts and what they do not apply to such as companion animals and non-invasive plants. 

 

New York State Aquatic Invasive Species Regulations Summary Rack Card: This rack card from New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) quickly summarizes information regarding aquatic invasive species regulations within New York State. It can be printed and used as informational materials to educate the public about aquatic invasive species and boating regulations. 

 

Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers Brochure: This New York Sea Grant brochure provides information about high profile aquatic invasive species, such as their dispersal methods, impacts and habitat. There is also information about watercraft inspection, who launch stewards are, information about Clean, Drain, Dry, an AIS watercraft inspection checklist, and how to dispose of AIS.

 

Watch Cards: These watch cards have important identifying characteristics, a short description of the species, impacts, and dispersal methods of the species. Additionally, they have information about what you can do to stop the spread of this invasive species. To purchase these watch cards online visit: http://www.seagrant.umn.edu/publications/ais.

 

Watercraft Checkpoints Only Checklist: This is a checklist that may be useful during inspections to ensure stewards check everywhere there could be AIS on a trailer, boat, motor and boat accessories when they conduct inspections. 

 

Watercraft Decontamination- Frequently Asked Questions (coming soon): This document provides a list of questions boaters frequently ask about watercraft decontamination and responses stewards can use with boaters.

 

Watercraft Inspection/Boat Stewardship Program Checklist: This checklist is a list of questions to ensure the watercraft inspection program is ready for launch financially and will avoid a waste of resources. It is great to start a new program but it is also important to ensure that your funding can be sustainable. 

 

 Watercraft Inspection Steward Program Training Coordinator Manual: This manual is a guide to planning and implementing watercraft steward training. It will walk you through each step for the development of a new watercraft inspection program from pre-steward planning through getting started to training your stewards and teaching them everything they need to know. Additionally, this manual provides many templates that are provided on this page.