Cayuga County, NY Invasive Plant Rules: Prohibited Species (2026)
Key Facts
- Named species
- Asian clam, water chestnut, Hydrilla, zebra & quagga mussels
- Prohibited act
- Launching a boat with visible plant/animal matter
- Covered waters
- Cayuga Lake, Owasco Lake, all county water bodies
- Fine
- Up to $250 per violation, § 259-5
- Enforcement method
- Appearance ticket, like a traffic violation
- Exceptions
- Legal bait, native camouflage plants, DEC dredging
Summary
Cayuga County's Chapter 259 makes it unlawful to launch a boat carrying visible plant or animal matter, or to introduce any aquatic invasive species, into any lake, pond, stream or other water body in the county. The county's own list, drawn largely from Owasco and Cayuga Lake threats, names water chestnut, Hydrilla, zebra mussels, quagga mussels and the Asian clam by name.
§ 259-2. Definitions. ... AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES With respect to waters located and/or accessed in Cayuga County, any aquatic species, whether animal or plant, including its eggs, spores or other biological material capable of propagating or reproducing that species, that are not natural to said waters, including all of its cultivars and varieties, whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health. "Invasive species," as that term is used herein, includes but is not limited to Asian clam (Corbicula fluminea), water chestnut (Trapa natans), Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata), zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) and quagga mussels (Dreissena bugensis).
Full Breakdown
Section 259-1 traces the law to the Asian clam infestation in Owasco Lake and gives the county authority to protect water bodies wholly or partly within Cayuga County from aquatic invasive species. Section 259-2 defines 'aquatic invasive species' as any aquatic animal or plant, including its eggs or spores, that is not natural to the water body and is likely to cause economic, environmental or human-health harm, and it names the Asian clam (Corbicula fluminea), water chestnut (Trapa natans), Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata), zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) and quagga mussels (Dreissena bugensis) as included species, on top of anything listed on the attached Schedule A or under state Environmental Conservation Law.
Section 259-3 makes it unlawful to launch, haul, or enter or exit a water body with a watercraft carrying any visible plant or animal matter on the hull, motor, live well, anchor, gear or trailer, to bring an uncleaned watercraft into the county at all, or to introduce, dump or otherwise place an aquatic invasive species into any water body, defined to include Cayuga Lake and every other lake, pond, stream or ditch in the county. Section 259-4 carves out narrow exceptions for legal fishing bait, native plants used to camouflage a hunting boat, contained transport for food or research, DEC-approved dredging, and noninvasive pets.
Violations & Fines
Anyone who violates the invasive-species article is guilty of a violation punishable by a fine of up to $250 under section 259-5. Section 259-6 enforces the chapter the same way as a traffic violation, through an appearance ticket, using procedures similar to those under the state Vehicle and Traffic Law, though the citation's exact form is left to the issuing law enforcement agency.
Frequently Asked Questions
What invasive species does Cayuga County's law name specifically?
Is it illegal to launch a boat with plants stuck to it in Cayuga County?
What's the penalty for violating Cayuga County's invasive species law?
Are there any exceptions to Cayuga County's invasive species rules?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cayuga County
New York rules heatmap·Compare Cayuga County to another location·View the New York invasive plant rules overview
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