sphoppie
Active Member
@Rivergoer did you pay the DNR's fee and take their required course?
new AIS requirements in Utah
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sphoppie
Active Member
I just spoke with an Arizona Games and Fish Duty Officer and he stated that the Utah DNR has no legal right to charge you a fee at the Wahweap ramp, you must exit the lake without crossing into Utah or they could impound your boat. He said if you have a problem on the lake with a Utah DNR officer about the AIS sticker to call AZ Game and Fish right away and they will get an officer involved to defend you. This only applies to AZ registered boats returning to AZ that launched at Wahweap boat ramp.
Rivergoer
Keeper of San Juan Secrets
I like what you heard from the AZGFD officer…makes good sense to me.
Let’s put it this way, we’ve never once been stopped, questioned or asked to show proof of Utah AIS paperwork, fees and/or stickers. We do participate in the AZ Local Boater program and have the sticker and mirror hang tag.
Where it gets a little ‘sticky’ legally at the south end is Stateline ramp is technically IN Utah but you’ll be in Arizona by the time you exit the NRA. Now if you turn right on 89 and head to Big Water, that’s where I believe enforcement SHOULD apply.
But I guess technically one could be cited pulling out at Stateline (Utah) even though their destination is AZ.
Let’s put it this way, we’ve never once been stopped, questioned or asked to show proof of Utah AIS paperwork, fees and/or stickers. We do participate in the AZ Local Boater program and have the sticker and mirror hang tag.
Where it gets a little ‘sticky’ legally at the south end is Stateline ramp is technically IN Utah but you’ll be in Arizona by the time you exit the NRA. Now if you turn right on 89 and head to Big Water, that’s where I believe enforcement SHOULD apply.
But I guess technically one could be cited pulling out at Stateline (Utah) even though their destination is AZ.
RiverRat68
Active Member
Thanks Rivergoer!
RiverRat68
Active Member
This, to me, makes the most sense. AZ boat launching and recovering in AZ and returning to Arizona home via Arizona roads. However, I just went ahead and paid the $25 and took the course/test. I gave in to the man.
Hoskm01
Well-Known Member
The Utah Game and Fish folks at the top of the ramps don't ask nor check for AIS registration or training. I'd wager they probably don't even know about it and they certainly aren't capable of enforcing it.
The Utah law states that the fee and training is required when "launching or operating on Utah waters" and we know most of Powell is a Utah water. With that said, I am CO registered and launch intentionally at Wahweap. I've never been yet to Bullfrog and maybe there are some up there but I've never seen Utah G&F on at or near Powell.
Save your $25 for some mediocre nachos at Latitude 37
The Utah law states that the fee and training is required when "launching or operating on Utah waters" and we know most of Powell is a Utah water. With that said, I am CO registered and launch intentionally at Wahweap. I've never been yet to Bullfrog and maybe there are some up there but I've never seen Utah G&F on at or near Powell.
Save your $25 for some mediocre nachos at Latitude 37
Are you sure? I would dare say that Utah DWR/DNR staff might be the ONLY fish/game resources you've seen on the lake. The Lake Powell fishery is managed by State of Utah employees (including Wayne, Dan, et al).
Meatwagon
Keeper of San Juan Secrets
I did the same, alot easier than being stopped and hassled while enjoying my time on the lake.This, to me, makes the most sense. AZ boat launching and recovering in AZ and returning to Arizona home via Arizona roads. However, I just went ahead and paid the $25 and took the course/test. I gave in to the man.
As for the inspection when leaving, if you take out after hours you are required to the clean,drain and dry rule. So if you're stopped on any roadway as long as you're clean, drained and dry you are compliant. That being said I intentually stopped for an inspection and seal, again to avoid any hassle and confusion from a Barny Phife while traveling.
I'd say do what's best for you
.I agree with Bart. Over the years I have been checked by Utah Wildlife Officers numerous times. We had some good conversations because we worked with some of the same people during our careers. I have seen Utah Wildlife Officers at the Halls ramp on busy holidays.
As a general rule the Utah DWR personnel at the ramps don’t have a Law Enforcement Commission and are probably college kids. I guarantee you they know how to call for a LE presence if they have to.
As a general rule the Utah DWR personnel at the ramps don’t have a Law Enforcement Commission and are probably college kids. I guarantee you they know how to call for a LE presence if they have to.
BrianID
Well-Known Member
I've been checked by AZ and UT officers on the lake multiple times over the last 30 years. Generally it is close to a boat ramp like Wahweap or Bullfrog, however I did get checked in the back of Iceberg Canyon one time.
I've never been checked for my AIS requirements but did have my boat checked for "safety" equipment at Wahweap in 2019 and again for safety at Bullfrog in 2022.
AZ residents launching at Wahweap and only boating on the AZ part of the Lake could fight the AIS fee from Utah. If they drive their boat into Utah waters, they would are responsible for following Utah regulations. I don't like government overreach but a quiz that takes 5 minutes once per year and a $20 or $25 fee doesn't feel near as excessive as other things government does.
I've never been checked for my AIS requirements but did have my boat checked for "safety" equipment at Wahweap in 2019 and again for safety at Bullfrog in 2022.
AZ residents launching at Wahweap and only boating on the AZ part of the Lake could fight the AIS fee from Utah. If they drive their boat into Utah waters, they would are responsible for following Utah regulations. I don't like government overreach but a quiz that takes 5 minutes once per year and a $20 or $25 fee doesn't feel near as excessive as other things government does.
Hoskm01
Well-Known Member
Okay, I've never seen Utah DNR enforcement / patrol there. Have seen AZ on the south end plenty of times. While I wish I would have seen or met Wayne or Dan, they're not out enforcing registration and laws etc.
Meatwagon
Keeper of San Juan Secrets
I don't like government overreach but a quiz that takes 5 minutes once per year and a $20 or $25 fee doesn't feel near as excessive as other things government does.
I agree with this 100% and look at it as $25 that I won't be spending in the local economy since Utah already stuck there hand in my pocket and took it. I also agree that something needs to be done to stop the spread, but I don't have the answers either. In the end it's worth it to me to enjoy lake Powell even though I'll never launch in any other Utah waters.
You think that is a money grab?
You should see how we sell our big game permits!
Are you sure about that? I don't know when the last time was that I checked their shirt badges but I believe the personnel at the top of the ramps are all NPS workers & not tied to any one state.
As an AZ registered boater we have never paid the UTAH AIS fee & have no plans to in the future.
lakepowellnut
Well-Known Member
They are Utah DWR employees and they collaborate with Arizona. Both Arizona and Utah have agreed on how it should be done.
I boat at Lake Powell with two different boats and live in Utah. I don’t want those mussels anywhere they aren’t and I would hope others feel the same way. It was a careless event that introduced them to Lake Powell, but they’re here and I think we all have a responsibility to do our part in preventing their spread.
I know there are many Utah boaters that will never visit Lake Powell and who aren’t happy with the AIS program, but frankly, it’s working so far.
Ryan
Keeper of San Juan Secrets
When I asked last week why Colorado won’t honor a seal or decontamination from Utah I was told that so far this year Colorado has found 3 boats sealed in Utah that had mussels.
They don’t think that Utahs program is working very well.
lakepowellnut
Well-Known Member
I don’t disagree, but so far, Utah lakes have so far been spared because of what effort has taken place. If the program wasn’t working, we’d see (knock on wood) widespread contamination. I also wonder if the contaminated boats had the orange or blue seal.
Honestly, I am not a fan of the way boats are checked because they do a sloppy job, but the decontamination has been good in Utah county. I recently had my bass boat decontaminated and it was very well done.
I also think that the orange seal is not a guarantee of no mussels, but even then, the boat still needs to be decontaminated and a blue seal attached.
Dillonwhitt
Well-Known Member
I don't understand why evey boat isn't marked contaminated and you go to your home state and they inspect and deal with you how they want... the boat is dirty leaving Powell regardless if they find anything... the big deal is they need to stop being lazy and make it easy to get the boat decontamination cleaned and inspected
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