It has been found that officials in South Dakota are trying hard to make some moves in order to slow the spread of invasive species in the waterways. As of now, the South Dakota Game Fish and Parks Commission has proposed several regulations to prevent introduction of the invasive species and also to slow the spread of existing populations.

As per one of the suggested proposals, the conservation officers will have to remove the vegetation and all aquatic invasive species from a boat and trailer. The officer will also have to require all drain plugs and related devices be opened or removed from boats when being transported.

In another part of the plan, the department secretary will place restrictions on a body of water when an invasive species is found.

It has been informed that the GFP commission will finalize the proposal on March 5 or 6 during its meeting in Pierre after taking comments.

The state Game, Fish and Parks Commission has said it wants a strong strategy developed for protection against aquatic invasive species such as zebra mussels and quagga mussels spreading in South Dakota's public waters.

According to one commissioner, Gary Jensen of Rapid City, the response might go as far as to require roadside inspections at the state borders of trailer boats being pulled into South Dakota.

The species could have been mistakenly carried by vegetation and water in boats that have been present in the infected water bodies.

Jensen called for GFP's fisheries staff to study the topic in greater depth, including analysis of other states' programs. The commission has finally agreed Thursday to give staff the directions.

The commission has even agreed with the fisheries staff's recommendations to propose new aquatic invasive species regulations.

The regulations will impose several restrictions, some of which include restrictions on the water that can remain in boats to five gallons free of vegetation in live-wells. It will even prohibit any vegetation on boast after they leave a water body and require drain plugs and similar devices to be open.