---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 8426"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "8426"
heading: "Aquatic resource activities assistance"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/8426"
units:
  - "Chapter 103 — Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences"
  - "Subchapter I — Outdoor Recreation and Infrastructure"
  - "Part B — Public Recreation on Federal Recreational Lands and Waters"
---

# §8426. Aquatic resource activities assistance

- (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](/usc/16/4721.md?p=a).
  - (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](/usc/16/3102.md?p=2) and water” means [Federal land](/usc/16/3102.md?p=2) and water operated and maintained by the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. [Fish and Wildlife](/usc/16/3102.md?p=17) Service, the Bureau of Reclamation, the Forest Service, or the National [Park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3) Service, as applicable.
  - (4) **Indian Tribe—** The term “[Indian Tribe](/usc/16/8401.md?p=4)” has the meaning given such term in [section 5304 of title 25](/usc/25/5304.md).
  - (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](/usc/16/8401.md?p=9);
    - (B) an [Indian Tribe](/usc/16/8401.md?p=4) in a Reclamation [State](/usc/16/8401.md?p=9);
    - (C) an applicable nonprofit organization in a Reclamation [State](/usc/16/8401.md?p=9);
    - (D) a [unit](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=4) of local government in a Reclamation [State](/usc/16/8401.md?p=9); or
    - (E) a private entity.
  - (7) **Reclamation State—** The term “Reclamation [State](/usc/16/8401.md?p=9)” includes any of the following [States](/usc/16/544.md?p=r):
    - (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[^1] [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4)” has the meaning given such term in [section 460l–32(3)](/usc/16/460l–32.md?p=3) of this title.
  - (9) **Secretaries—** The term “[Secretaries](/usc/16/8401.md?p=6)” means each of the following:
    - (A) The [Secretary](/usc/16/8401.md?p=7), acting through the Director of the Bureau of Land Management, the Commissioner of Reclamation, and the Director of the National [Park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3) Service.
    - (B) The [Secretary](/usc/16/8401.md?p=7) 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](/usc/16/8401.md?p=1) is authorized to carry out inspections and decontamination of vessels entering or leaving [Federal land](/usc/16/3102.md?p=2) and waters under the jurisdiction of the respective [Federal land management agency](/usc/16/8401.md?p=1).
  - (2) **Requirements—** The [Secretaries](/usc/16/8401.md?p=6) shall—
    - (A) in carrying out an inspection and decontamination under [paragraph (1)](#b-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](/usc/16/3102.md?p=2) 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](/usc/16/8401.md?p=6) 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](/usc/16/8401.md?p=6) shall not prohibit access to vessels due solely to the absence of a Federal, [State](/usc/16/8401.md?p=9), 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](/usc/16/8401.md?p=6) shall make available to a Reclamation [State](/usc/16/8401.md?p=9) any relevant data gathered related to inspections or decontaminations carried out under this subsection in such [State](/usc/16/8401.md?p=9).
- (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](/usc/16/8401.md?p=7), 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](/usc/16/460l–32.md?p=3), 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)](#c-1), including personnel costs, shall not exceed 75 percent.
  - (3) **Standards—** Before awarding a grant under [paragraph (1)](#c-1), the [Secretary](/usc/16/8401.md?p=7) shall determine that the [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) is technically and financially feasible.
  - (4) **Coordination—** In carrying out this subsection, the [Secretary](/usc/16/8401.md?p=7) shall coordinate with—
    - (A) each of the Reclamation [States](/usc/16/544.md?p=r);
    - (B) affected [Indian Tribes](/usc/16/544.md?p=g); and
    - (C) the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force.

## Footnotes

[^1]: So in original. “Reclamation” is capitalized in this term in section 460l–32(3) of this title and in this section.

## Source credit

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