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Status of Felt Restrictions in the United States
Since 2009 there has been an increasing move toward restricting the use
of felt soled waders and wading boots. As of January 1, 2012 four
states (Alaska, Maryland, Rhode Island & Vermont) have implemented
bans. Other states
are discussing possible restrictions or are in the
process of implementing a ban at a future date.
There are two basic approaches to creating these restrictions. In some states the bans are created through legislative action. That is, their legislatures have debated and passed a law that has been signed by the Governor. Other bans are created by administrative action. These bans are implemented by the action of a Fish & Game Commission, by Agency rule making authority or through other administrative action. Understanding the process through which new regulations are developed is important for anyone who wishes to have a voice in the process. The following tables offer a brief overview of the status of felt restrictions in the US. This page is updated with any significant changes in an attempt to provide a comprehensive listing of felt restrictions. If you have information about any felt restriction proposals that are not included please contact us with information. |
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State
or Jurisdiction
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Proposal
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Statewide ban
on
use of felt
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Proposal Status
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Adopted by
unanimous vote
3/19/2010
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Implementation
Date
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January 1, 2012
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Type of
regulation
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Administrative
- State
Fisheries Commission
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Bill Number
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N/A
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Additional
information
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Last Updated
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2-25-2011
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State
or Jurisdiction
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Proposal Status
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Resolution
Adopted 4-7-2011
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Resolution
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Idaho
congratulates those fishing tackle
manufacturers that offer alternatives to felt soles, for their
foresight and efforts to offer products that reduce the threat and
potential transfer of aquatic nuisance species. Other manufacturers,
both domestic and foreign, are encouraged to engineer, develop,
manufacture and sell similar products that reduce and/or help prevent
the spread of aquatic nuisance species.
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Implementation
Date
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Immediate
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Type of
regulation
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Legislative
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Bill Number
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Senate
Concurrent Resolution
101
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Additional
information
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Last Updated
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4-30-2011
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State
or Jurisdiction
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Proposal Status
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Signed into law
4-25-2011
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Proposal
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Law states: The
Department of Inland
Fisheries and Wildlife in consultation with the Department of
Environmental Protection shall examine issues related to the control of
invasive aquatic species, including but not limited to the use of
felt-soled waders and the spread of invasive aquatic species, and
report to the Joint Standing Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
by January 15, 2012. The report may include any recommendations
concerning legislation. News
Story
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Implementation
Date
|
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Type of
regulation
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Legislative
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Bill Number
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HP 205, LD252
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Additional
information
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Last Update
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4-30-2011
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State
or Jurisdiction
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Proposal Status
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Ban implemented
March 21, 2011
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Proposal
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Bans use of
felt in all
Maryland waters
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Implementation
Date
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3-21-2011
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Type of
regulation
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Administrative
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Bill Number
|
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Additional
information
|
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Last Update
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2-25-2011
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State
or Jurisdiction
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Proposal Status
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Ban Approved
subject to final implementation
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Proposal
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Ban use of
felt
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Implementation
Date
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3-1-2012
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Type of
regulation
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Administrative
Rule
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Bill Number
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Additional
information
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The Missouri
Conservation Commission has
approved a regulation change banning the use of porous-soled waders or
footwear incorporating or having attached a porous sole of felted,
matted, or woven fibrous material when fishing in trout parks and other
specific trout waters. Pending public comment through the Secretary of
State’s office, the new regulation will go into effect March 1, 2012,
the opening day of catch-and-keep fishing at Missouri’s four trout
parks
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Last Update
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10-20--2011
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State
or Jurisdiction
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Proposal Status
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Did not pass
from Committee
- 2/24/2011
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Proposal
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Ban on sale and
use of felt
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Implementation
Date
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October 1, 2012
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Type of
regulation
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Legislative
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Bill Number
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SB230
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Additional
information
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Last Update
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2-25-2011
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State
or Jurisdiction
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|
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Proposal Status
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Tabled by
Commission -
December 2009
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Proposal
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Ban on use of
felt
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Implementation
Date
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N/A
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Type of
regulation
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Administrative
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Bill Number
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Additional
information
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Fish
&
Game agency requested approval from commission who tabled
request. Press
Release
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Last Update
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2-25-2011
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State
or Jurisdiction
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Proposal Status
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Active - agency
has
authority to implement Ban if
desired
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Proposal
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Rubber bottomed
boots only
in City owned waters
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Implementation
Date
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TBD
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Type of
regulation
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Administrative
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Bill Number
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Additional
information
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New York City
owns sections
of many popular Catskill
waters which supply water to the City. News
Article
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Last Update
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2-25-2011
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State
or Jurisdiction
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Proposal Status
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Died in
committee
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Proposal
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Ban sale and
use of felt by
2015
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Implementation
Date
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Jan 1, 2015
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Type of
regulation
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Legislative
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Bill Number
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2338
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Additional
information
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Last Update
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4-30-2011
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State
or Jurisdiction
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Proposal Status
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Final
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Proposal
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It is prohibited that any person use foot
gear with external felt soles in any state waters, inclusive of
freshwater, tidal, or marine. This shall include any waters shared with
adjacent states in which any Rhode Island Fishing Regulations apply.
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Implementation
Date
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January 1, 2012
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Type of
regulation
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Administrative - Regulation Change
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Bill Number
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Additional
information
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2012/2013 fishing regulations Regulation 1.17, page 9
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Last Update
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12/28/2011
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State
or Jurisdiction
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Proposal Status
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Passed and
signed into law
on 5/12/2010
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Proposal
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Unlawful to use
external
felt-soled boots or external
felt-soled waders
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Implementation
Date
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April 1, 2011
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Type of
regulation
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Legislative
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Bill Number
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H. 488
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Additional
information
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Last Update
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2-25-2011
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State
or Jurisdiction
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Vermont 2
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Proposal Status
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Died in
Committee
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Proposal
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Requires stores
to educate
about felt ban
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Implementation
Date
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TBD
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Type of
regulation
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Legislative
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Bill Number
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H. 210
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Additional
information
|
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Last Update
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3-25-2011
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State
or Jurisdiction
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Vermont 3
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Proposal Status
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Died
in Committee
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Proposal
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Changes
implementation of
felt ban to 4/1/2012 and
mandates state education efforts
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Implementation
Date
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TBD
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Type of
regulation
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Legislative
|
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Bill Number
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H. 211
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Additional
information
|
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Last Update
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3-25-2011
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