Lake Service Provider Training and Permit

Invasive Species Laws for Lake Service Providers

vehicle stickers

VEHICLE STICKERS - In May 2012, legislation was passed allowing the placement of vehicle stickers on the windshields of the vehicles of permitted service providers. Starting on July 1, 2012 permitted service providers may place the stickers on their windshields.

In 2011, the Legislature passed a number of new laws related to prevention and management of aquatic invasive species (AIS) that apply to boaters, property owners, service providers, bait dealers and others involved with the transportation of water-related equipment.

Minnesota's invasive species laws (Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 84D) impose a variety of restrictions and a permit program pertaining to lake service providers to help prevent the spread of AIS between waters in the state. "Service providers" (see definition below) are now required to have a service provider permit before conducting work that includes placing or removing water related equipment from any state waters. Individuals who work for a service provider must also take training that will be offered online (see more below).

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 MPCA permit), bilge areas, and water-hauling equipment that is capable of containing or transporting AIS, aquatic macrophytes (plants), or water.

What is a Lake Service Provider?

How do you know if you are a lake service provider and will need a permit? Ask yourself, do I or does my business receive payment to put "water-related equipment" into or remove it from waters of the state of Minnesota for another person or another business?

Examples include:

 

Type of Work

If Installs/Launches/Removes water-related equipment from water

If For Hire/Charges

Service Provider

 

 

 

 

canoe outfitter

no

yes

no

canoe outfitter (trailer canoes)

no

yes - rent

no, but
encouraged
to get permit

canoe outfitter (trailer canoes)

yes

yes - rent

yes

marina

yes

yes

yes (effective
July 1, 2012)

boat dealer

no

yes

no

boat repair

yes

yes - hire

yes

watercraft rental

no

yes - rent

no

watercraft rental

yes

yes - rent

yes

dock hauler

yes

yes - hire

yes

dock/lift seller

no

no

no

dock/lift seller and installer

yes

yes - hire

yes

dock/lift installer and remover
(charitable group)

yes

yes - charges for service

yes

installs buoys

yes

yes - hire

yes

installs irrigation equipment that pulls
water from state waters

yes

yes - hire

yes

resorter

yes (only install boats
and equipment that
belong to the resort)

no (work done by resort
owners/employees at
own resort)

no

resorter

yes (customer's
watercraft)

yes - charges for service

yes

resorter

yes (customer's
watercraft)

no

no, but
encouraged
to get permit

resorter that does watercraft rental

no

yes - rent

no

resorter that does watercraft rental

yes

yes - rent

yes

boat club or yacht club

yes

yes

yes (effective
July 1, 2012)

Below are individuals who are not considered service providers and therefore do not require a permit:

Key Changes regarding Lake Service Providers include:

Register for Training and Apply for a Service Provider Permit

According to state law, lake service provider businesses need to  obtain a permit before being hired to install or remove water-related equipment from waters of the state.   Below are the steps you need to follow to register for training and apply for a permit:

  1. Confirm that you are considered a ‘Service Provider’ under the law by reviewing the chart on this website.
  2. Decide who in your company (owner or manager) should attend training and be named on the permit.
  3. Register for an account by completing the online form. Make sure the person (owner or manager) who registers for an account is the one attending the training.
  4. Once the registration is complete and you are logged in, choose “Register for Lake Service Provider classroom course and apply for a permit.” You will be asked for specific information, including:
    1. how many vehicles your business uses – we want to make sure we send you enough permit stickers
    2. whether or not you work in zebra mussel infested waters
    3. whether or not you want extra authority to transport zebra mussel infested water-related equipment from a water access to a cleaning/decontamination facility, and the address where it’s located (usually your work site)
  5. Select the training date and location you plan to attend by scrolling down to the listing for 2013. (Please note that the 2012 training dates show up first.)
  6. Follow the directions to submit a permit fee payment of $50.
  7. Attend your training and take the test.

Once you have attended training, passed the test, and your payment is processed, we will mail the  permit and vehicle stickers to you.
At the training session you will receive:

See the full list of all the training dates and locations for 2013. This is a PDF file. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download it.

Your employees are also required by law to receive training. They will need to complete a free online training course before working in waters of the state. The online training covers the necessary information employees need to know to follow AIS laws in their jobs. Once training is completed, they will receive a wallet-sized certificate which they should print and keep in their possession at all times when working in waters of the state. For instructions and more information visit  Lake Service Provider Employee Online Training.

List of Permitted Service Providers

This list includes businesses that have completed a lake service provider training course and have acquired a permit. Please note that training and permit applications are on-going. The list is updated as new businesses attend training, apply for a permit, and their payment is processed.

Additional Resources