Lake Service Provider Training and Permit

• What is a Lake Service Provider?
• Register for Training and Apply for a Service Provider Permit
• List of Permitted Lake Service Providers
• Additional Resources
• LSP Businesses Register for Hot-Water/High-Pressure Decontamination Training 

Invasive Species Laws for Lake Service Providers

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?

• If yes, you are a lake service provider and would need a Lake Service Provider Permit.
• If no, you are not a lake service provider.

Examples include:

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

• Fishing guides
• Commercial bait harvesters (as they fall under DNR aquaculture and other infested water permitting and training)
• Providers of commercial mechanical control of aquatic plants (they use their own equipment and are covered under other DNR permits)
• Sheriff's Departments who install and remove buoys
• Local governments (counties, cities, watershed districts) as they are not being hired to put in someone else's water related equipment. Therefore, their staffs are not working for a service provider either. If the local government hires a person or business to place or remove equipment, then that person or business must be permitted as a service provider.
• Landscapers and rip-rap installers (they are covered under other DNR permits)

Key Changes regarding Lake Service Providers include:

• Service Providers must apply for and obtain a permit from the MN DNR before providing services.
• Service Providers must have a valid permit in possession while providing services.
• Steps to obtain the Service Providers permit:
  • Complete in-person AIS training provided by the MN DNR and pass an examination to qualify
  • Apply for a permit and pay a $50 application and testing fee
• Service Provider permits will be valid for three calendar years.
• Persons working for permittee must satisfactorily complete the Lake Service Provider Employee online training. (Note that the person who attends the in-person training and has the permit in their name does not need to take the on-line training in addition to the in-person training)

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:

• A Lake Servicer Provider Training Manual outlining the information you need to understand current AIS laws, pass the test, and acquire your permit.
• A 3-hour training session with DNR staff, including time for questions and answers.
• Suggestions on how to integrate AIS prevention strategies into your business.

See the full list of all the training dates and locations for 2013.

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.

• Permitted Service Providers as of May 17, 2013

Additional Resources

• Frequently Asked Questions about Lake Service Provider Permits
• Frequently Asked Questions about Decontamination and Transportation
• For further information contact the regional invasive species specialist in your area.
• MN DNR Aquatic Invasive Species homepage
• MN DNR Watercraft Inspection and Decontamination program