New laws require some providers to obtain permit

Through a partnership with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Minnesota Waters is conducting statewide trainings for businesses that install and remove water recreation equipment.

The training sessions provide the information needed to understand and pass a required test. In addition, service providers are taught how to integrate AIS prevention strategies into their business.

Minnesota Waters is a non-profit organization providing issue advocacy, training, connections, and support to empower citizens and citizen-led groups to be active, effective advocates for Minnesota’s unique waterscape.

State laws passed in 2011 aim to help prevent the spread of AIS between waters in the state. They also require service providers to apply for a permit, pay a $50 application fee, attend training in person and pass a test. Upon completion of all mentioned tasks, a permit will be issued to the service provider.

A training session is scheduled in Ely on April 20. The free training will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Sunset Room at the Grand Ely Lodge located at 400 North Pioneer Road.

Lake service providers can be one or more of a long list of people and businesses, according to Jennifer Schaefer, communications and membership coordinator, Minnesota Waters.

Examples of businesses and people who may need a permit to provide services include recreational/canoe outfitters, marinas, boat/watercraft dealers, boat/watercraft mechanics, watercraft rental businesses, dock haulers, dock/lift dealers, dock/lift installers and removers, resort owners, irrigation contractors, shoreline restoration professionals, lake vegetation service professionals.

A list at the DNR website at http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lsp/index.html is intended to help people determine if they are considered a service provider under the new laws, according to Schaefer, who notes there is some gray area as the legal definitions are quite vague.

A service provider, as defined in state law, means an individual who installs or removes water-related equipment or structures from waters of the state for hire. “Service provider” does not include a person working under the supervision of an individual with a valid service provider permit. 

Water-related equipment, as defined in state law, means a motor vehicle, boat, watercraft, dock, boat lift, raft, vessel, trailer, tool, implement, device, or any other associated equipment or container, including but not limited to portable bait containers, live wells, ballast tanks (except those with a Minnesota Pollution Control Agency permit), bilge areas, and water-hauling equipment that is capable of containing or transporting AIS, aquatic plants or water.

The schedule of training locations and dates are being updated periodically and service providers should check the DNR’s website at http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lsp/index.html for the list of scheduled training sessions and future additions. The trainings are free of charge and preregistration is not required.

“Hundreds of lake service businesses across the state have now attended one of the AIS trainings,” said Lois Sinn Lindquist, executive director, Minnesota Waters. “We look forward to working with hundreds of more businesses in the coming weeks and are confident that the businesses receiving this mandatory training will undoubtedly play an integral role in helping to prevent the spread of AIS in Minnesota.”

Information about the service provider training and permitting can be found on the DNR website (www.dnr.state.mn.us/lsp/index.html). The online permit application for service provider businesses will is available on the DNR website. The service provider permit, which will be valid for three years, must be in possession while providing any services. Persons who work for a permitted service provider must take an online training prior to working in waters of the state. The online training for the employees is available on the DNR website.