republic-os/legal/us/code/title-16/chapter-103/section-8426.md

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LegalText	16 U.S.C. § 8426	Aquatic resource activities assistance	us	united_states_code	code_section	16	CONSERVATION	103	EXPANDING PUBLIC LANDS OUTDOOR RECREATION EXPERIENCES	8426	16 U.S.C. § 8426	current	119-100	2026-06-26	official	https://uscode.house.gov/download/releasepoints/us/pl/119/100/xml_usc16@119-100.zip	/us/usc/t16/s8426	data/legal/raw/us/code/title-16/usc16.xml	b033d1a2fb7e7fd7a8512b09f879788a2c9b9e06340c5271f3c71d3d8c817c79	7be8950da5a93cac7c98e4576ce00340f2aba5e8e46d29915382c203c421d503	f35023cf590ae680231c8fbf92d6099b3addc1aa2417d9dd4b7d7d9d1463db40	2026-07-04	official	legal us-code

16 U.S.C. § 8426 - Aquatic resource activities assistance

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(a) Definitions In this section:

(1) Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force The term “Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force” means the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force established by section 4721(a) of this title.

(2) Decontamination The term “decontamination” means actions to remove aquatic nuisance species to prevent introduction or spread into new aquatic ecosystems.

(3) Federal land and water The term “Federal land and water” means Federal land and water operated and maintained by the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Reclamation, the Forest Service, or the National Park Service, as applicable.

(4) Indian Tribe The term “Indian Tribe” has the meaning given such term in section 5304 of title 25.

(5) Inspection The term “inspection” means actions to find aquatic nuisance species to prevent introduction or spread into new aquatic ecosystems.

(6) Partner The term “partner” means—

(A) a Reclamation State;

(B) an Indian Tribe in a Reclamation State;

(C) an applicable nonprofit organization in a Reclamation State;

(D) a unit of local government in a Reclamation State; or

(E) a private entity.

(7) Reclamation State The term “Reclamation State” includes any of the following States:

(A) Alaska.

(B) Arizona.

(C) California.

(D) Colorado.

(E) Idaho.

(F) Kansas.

(G) Montana.

(H) Nebraska.

(I) Nevada.

(J) New Mexico.

(K) North Dakota.

(L) Oklahoma.

(M) Oregon.

(N) South Dakota.

(O) Texas.

(P) Utah.

(Q) Washington.

(R) Wyoming.

(8) Reclamation project The term “reclamation 11 So in original. “Reclamation” is capitalized in this term in section 460l–32(3) of this title and in this section. project” has the meaning given such term in section 460l–32(3) of this title.

(9) Secretaries The term “Secretaries” means each of the following:

(A) The Secretary, acting through the Director of the Bureau of Land Management, the Commissioner of Reclamation, and the Director of the National Park Service.

(B) The Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service.

(10) Vessel The term “vessel” means any watercraft or other contrivance used or designed for transportation or navigation on, under, or immediately above, water.

(b) Authority of Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, National Park Service, and Forest Service with respect to certain aquatic resource activities on Federal land and waters (1) In general The head of each Federal land management agency is authorized to carry out inspections and decontamination of vessels entering or leaving Federal land and waters under the jurisdiction of the respective Federal land management agency.

(2) Requirements The Secretaries shall—

(A) in carrying out an inspection and decontamination under paragraph (1), coordinate with 1 or more partners;

(B) consult with the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force to identify potential improvements and efficiencies in the detection and management of aquatic nuisance species on Federal land and water; and

(C) to the maximum extent practicable, inspect and decontaminate vessels in a manner that minimizes disruptions to public access for boating and recreation in noncontaminated vessels.

(3) Partnerships The Secretaries may enter into a partnership to lead, collaborate with, or provide technical assistance to a partner—

(A) to carry out an inspection or decontamination of vessels; or

(B) to establish an inspection and decontamination station for vessels.

(4) Limitation The Secretaries shall not prohibit access to vessels due solely to the absence of a Federal, State, or partner’s inspection program or station.

(5) Exceptions (A) Authority to regulate vessels Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the authority of the Commandant of the Coast Guard to regulate vessels provided under any other provision of law.

(B) Applicability Authorities granted in this subsection shall not apply at locations where inspection or decontamination activities would duplicate efforts by the Coast Guard.

(6) Data sharing The Secretaries shall make available to a Reclamation State any relevant data gathered related to inspections or decontaminations carried out under this subsection in such State.

(c) Grant program for Reclamation States for vessel inspection and decontamination stations (1) Vessels inspections in Reclamation States Subject to the availability of appropriations, the Secretary, acting through the Commissioner of Reclamation, shall establish a competitive grant program to provide financial assistance to partners to conduct inspections and decontamination of vessels operating in Reclamation projects, including to purchase, establish, operate, or maintain a vessel inspection and decontamination station.

(2) Cost share The Federal share of the cost of a grant under paragraph (1), including personnel costs, shall not exceed 75 percent.

(3) Standards Before awarding a grant under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall determine that the project is technically and financially feasible.

(4) Coordination In carrying out this subsection, the Secretary shall coordinate with—

(A) each of the Reclamation States;

(B) affected Indian Tribes; and

(C) the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force.

(Pub. L. 118–234, title I, § 128, Jan. 4, 2025, 138 Stat. 2856.)