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Bill

S 3477

Authorizes the use of benthic barriers to control invasive aquatic plants around docks

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Pam Helming

Authorizes benthic barriers around docks to suppress invasive aquatic plants, aiding dock access and safety for marina operators, with permits and safeguards to be defined.

REFERRED TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
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Bill Summary · S 3477

Summary of Bill S 3477

Overview

  • Bill Number: S 3477
  • Title: Authorizes the use of benthic barriers to control invasive aquatic plants around docks
  • Status: Referred to Environmental Conservation
  • Introduced: January 27, 2025
  • Sponsor: Pamela Helming (primary)
  • Classification: bill

Purpose and intent

  • The bill authorizes the use of benthic barriers as a method to control invasive aquatic plants in areas around docks. The primary aim appears to be providing a regulated option for dock and marina owners to manage problematic aquatic vegetation that can impede docking, navigation, and access.

Key provisions (based on available information)

  • Authorization for the use of benthic barriers in proximity to docks to suppress invasive aquatic plant growth.
  • Specific details such as permitting requirements, placement guidelines, duration, maintenance, monitoring, enforcement, and any associated costs are not provided in the available summary.

Note: The provided information does not include the full text, so exact regulatory conditions, safeguards, and implementation steps are not specified here.

Who would be affected

  • Dock and marina owners/operators: Primary users who may deploy benthic barriers to manage invasive plants around docking areas.
  • Local governments or regulatory agencies: Potentially involved in permitting, oversight, and compliance with environmental standards.
  • Environmental groups and the ecosystem: Impacts could include changes in aquatic habitat dynamics around docks.

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Positive effects: May reduce invasives around docks, improving access, safety, and maintenance; could support healthier near-dock aquatic ecosystems with less interference from invasive species.
  • Possible concerns: The use of benthic barriers can affect non-target species, sediment processes, or navigation; the bill’s text would determine any required safeguards, restrictions, or monitoring to address ecological or safety concerns.

Procedural and timeline details

  • Intro/Action: Introduced January 27, 2025; referral: Environmental Conservation (listed twice in the actions provided, which may reflect standard committee referral practice or a duplicate entry).
  • Current status in the record: Pending action by the Environmental Conservation committee; no further committee or floor actions are listed in the provided material.

Related bills

  • Prior-session related bills: S 5189, S 5413, S 2644, S 6230. These may represent earlier attempts to authorize or study benthic barriers or related invasive-plant control measures.

Additional notes

  • The summary above reflects information available in the provided bill brief. For complete details, including any permit processes, restrictions, timelines, funding, and enforcement, the full bill text and official analyses would be necessary.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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