Frequently Asked Questions about Lake Service Provider Permits
Date: May 9, 2012
Q. What is a Lake Service Provider (LSP)?
A. Lake Service Providers are individuals or businesses hired to install or remove water-related equipment or structures from waters of the state for hire. They are considered service providers if they meet the both of these criteria — 1) they to install or remove water-related equipment or structures from waters of the state; and 2) they do it for hire.
Q. When are LSP permits needed?
A. All Lake Service Providers need to be trained and permitted before they begin work in state waters in spring, 2012. Any businesses that do work without a permit will be required to take training and could face penalties if they don’t.
Q. What will the LSP receive as a permit and where do they display the permit?
A. Paper permits will be mailed to the permittees along with new LSP vehicle stickers that will also be provided for each of the LSP’s vehicles. A copy of the permit should be kept in the vehicle and the LSP vehicle sticker should be attached to the left side of the windshield of the vehicle used when doing LSP work. See question below for current status of the vehicle sticker:
Q. I've received my paper permit, but haven't received vehicle stickers. When will I receive vehicle stickers?
A. The permit stickers which are referred to in the letter and permit were not available pending legislation allowing placement on the front windshield of vehicles. In May 2012, legislation was passed allowing permitted lake service providers to place service provider vehicle stickers on the windshields of their work vehicles. This legislation goes into effect on July 1, 2012.
Until July 1, 2012, you can place a copy of the paper permit on the dashboard of your vehicle when you arrive at your work site so that law enforcement and the public can identify you as a Lake Service Provider. You will be mailed vehicle stickers before July 1, 2012.
You are a permitted service provider and have received your permit. The stickers are a visual symbol of your paper permit to distinguish you as a Lake Service Provider. Please remember that the language in your permit requires you to have your paper permit on your person, available upon request by a licensed peace officer. Thank you for your patience.
Q. How much is the training and permit fee?
A. Permits are $50 dollars for the LSP permit holder (business). There is no fee for the employees of the permit holder.
Q. How long are the LSP permits valid?
A. Permits are issued for a three calendar-year period. Permits issued in 2012 will be valid for 2012, 2013, and 2014.
Q. How do you apply and obtain a LSP permit?
A. There are a few steps to the process. Service providers must:
• attend an in-person LSP training;
• pass a required test;
• register for an account and apply for a permit online through the DNR Website; and
• pay the $50 application and training fee.
Q. How do I pay?
A. When you apply for your permit online, you will be directed to pay for your permit with a credit card.
Q. When and where are the LSP training sessions?
A. More than 30 LSP training sessions will be held in 2012. Many locations and dates have been set around Minnesota from the end of January through June. Scheduled training sessions are found here:
Additional dates and locations will be posted as scheduled. These trainings will provide all the information needed to understand and pass the test, as well as integrate AIS prevention strategies into your service provider business. Although not required, you can notify trainers of your interest in attending a specific training by contacting the DNR’s regional invasive species specialist in your area.
Q. What if there are multiple owners of a LSP business?
A. When there are multiple owners of a LSP business, there are a couple options for taking training and obtaining a permit. Only one permit is required per business. If all the owners of a business are active in providing LSP services, at least one must attend a training session and pass the test. Other active owners must either attend an in-person training session or take the employee online training.
If more than one owner attends an in-person training session, both names can be added to the LSP permit. When registering for an account and applying for a permit, put both owners names in the account. For example, First name: John Doe, Last name: Jane Smith. If there are two owners listed on the permit application, then both of those owners must have attended an in-person training course and each passed the test. The name (or names) on the permit must match up with the person(s) who attended the in-person training and passed the test.
Additional owners who did not attend an in-person training session can take the employee online training and obtain the LSP employee certificate to keep with them when conducting LSP work.
Q. What if there are multiple business locations for the same LSP business?
A. If there are separate locations and location managers for a large LSP business, it is suggested that the manager of each location attend training, pay the $50 fee, and obtain a permit for their location. This will ensure that each location is aware of the laws, that decontamination locations can be specified in the permit for that specific location, and the location will be in the LSP database which will be used to provide updated information regarding AIS, infested waters, and information related to the location's employees.
Q. What does a person who works for a permitted service provider need to do?
Persons who work for a permitted service provider do not have to take the DNR training in person or pay a fee, but must take a free online training before working in waters of the state. The employee online training will cover the same information as the training for permitted service providers. Upon completion a certificate will be generated with the person’s information and it will need to be printed and kept available when working in waters of the state.
Q. If my name is on the permit, do I need to do the employee online training to get a certificate?
No. If your name is on the permit, you are all set. Your name on the permit shows that you have attended the in-person training and passed the test. There is no need for you to do the online training and test to get a certificate. Permits should always be available to show to a conservation officer. A permit with your name on it shows that you have recieved training.
Q. Do I need to wait until I've attended an in-person class or received my permit before I have my staff take the employee online training?
A. No. The employee online training is available now and employees may take it at any time.
Q. Will LSPs need to obtain a prohibited invasive species permit if they need to transport water-related equipment to a cleaning and storage location?
A. The new LSP permit will include such authorization for LSPs who work in zebra mussel infested waters if requested during online registration. This will avoid the need for issuing two permits to those LSPs.
Q. Are Lake Service Provider permits required for commercial installers (and removers) of home irrigation equipment that pumps water out of lakes or streams?
A. Yes, they place water related equipment into state waters for hire.
Q. What is the penalty for a Lake Service Provider operating without a permit?
A. It is a misdemeanor and the penalty can be up to $1,000 and/or 90 days in jail.
Q. Who can I contact for more information about LSP permits?
A. For further information contact the DNR’s regional invasive species specialist in your area.