Aquatic Invasive Species Eradication Grant Program
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) provides State assistance funding through reimbursement for projects to eradicate aquatic species identified as being invasive within water bodies and wetlands of New York State.
Acceptable projects are proposals to kill and/or permanently remove plants or animals that meet the definition of aquatic invasive species or aquatic nuisance species from waterbodies or wetlands in New York State. The most important aquatic invasive species are listed below.
Grants can only be awarded to municipalities and Not-For-Profit Corporations (NFPs).
2008-2009: This program is temporarily on hold. Check this web page for information regarding future opportunities to apply for grants through the Aquatic Invasive Species Eradication Grant Program.
If you would like to be added to the mailing list to receive the Information and Application booklet when it is available, e-mail your name, address, phone number, and e-mail address to: txsinnot@gw.dec.state.ny.us
What Are Aquatic Invasive Species?
An aquatic invasive species (AIS), also known as aquatic nuisance species (ANS), is defined in the National Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990 (NANPCA 1990) as: A nonindigenous species that threatens the diversity or abundance of native species or the ecological stability of infested waters, or commercial, agricultural, aquacultural, or recreational activities dependent upon such waters. For the purposes of this plan, the term "aquatic" is intended to include freshwater, marine, estuarine, and wetland species.
Nonindigenous means any species that enters an ecosystem beyond its historic range. Thus, an aquatic invasive species is a species that does not historically appear in New York waters, and upon being introduced, whether intentionally or unintentionally, causes either ecological, economic, or societal harm.
A species such as kudzo is perceived as harmful but is not considered an AIS because it is not aquatic. Other species, such as rainbow trout, are not indigenous to New York State but are not considered as AIS because they are not causing harm. Sometimes, native aquatic species are considered harmful. For example, some species of blue-green algae can produce toxins that impair the taste and odor of water. However, management of these species and their adverse impacts would not be eligible for funding under this program because these species are native to New York waters.
Following is a list of the most important AIS in New York State waters:
1) Aquatic Plant Species
- Brazilian waterweed - Egeria densa
- Curly-leaf pondweed - Potamogeton crispus
- Eurasian watermilfoil - Myriophyllum spicatum
- European frog's bit - Hydrocharis morsus-ranae
- Fanwort - Cabomba caroliniana
- Starry stonewort - Nitellopsis obtusa
- Water chestnut - Trapa natans
- Water primrose - Ludwigia peploides
2) Algae
- Rock Snot - Didymosphenia geminata
3) Riparian Plant Species
- Japanese Knotweed - Polygonum cuspidatum (only in riprarian or wetland habitats)
- Giant hogweed - Heracleum mantegazzium (only in riprarian or wetland habitats)
4) Wetland Plant Species
- Common reed (invasive strain) - Phragmites australis
- Flowering rush - Butomus umbellatus
- Purple loosestrife - Lythrum salicaria
5) Aquatic Animal Species
- Asiatic clam - Corbicula fluminea
- Fishhook water flea - Cercopagis pengoi
- Northern snakehead - Channa argus
- Quagga mussel - Dreissena bugensis
- Round goby - Neogobis melanostomus
- Rusty crayfish - Orconectes rusticus
- Spiny waterflea - Bythotrephes cederstroemi
- Tench - Tinca tinca
- Zebra /Quagga mussel - Dreissena polymorpha / Dreissena bugensis
6) Other Species not known to be present:
The following species are not known to be present in New York State at this time. However, they are species known to have serious adverse impacts, and their eradication or control would be of high priority if their presence in New York waters were confirmed
- Hydrilla - Hydrilla verticillata
- Bighead carp - Hypophthalmichthys nobilis
- Silver carp - Hypophthalmichthys molotrix
