Today, NECIS sent a letter to the House Committee on Natural Resources expressing support for their efforts to craft new legislation that would screen non-native animal species (both terrestrial and aquatic) to ensure they are not invasive prior to their importation.
Download new_legislation_on_preimport_screening_of_nonnative_animal_species.doc
“Halting the Invasion in the Chesapeake Bay: Preventing Aquatic Invasive Species Introduction through Regional Cooperation,” a report by attorney Read D. Porter, examines coordination on aquatic invasive species (AIS) prevention among the Chesapeake Bay states. The report focuses on prevention-related legal authorities in Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania in particular, and recommends actions to improve regional cooperation both within the existing regulatory frameworks and through potential amendments to state laws and regulations to enhance prevention.
“Gaps and inconsistencies among state laws can hinder AIS prevention,” says Porter. “Improving regional cooperation among Bay states and regional entities will provide for more effective and cost-efficient use of limited staff time and funding for AIS prevention.”
The report examines the primary pathways leading to the introduction of invasive species in the Chesapeake Bay and describes regulatory mechanisms used by Bay state agencies to combat AIS introduction. Based on this analysis, Porter concludes that coordinated AIS prevention in the Chesapeake Bay could be improved though both the amendment of certain existing AIS prevention laws and regulations and the enhancement of interagency coordination on a regional level. He recommends that Bay states and regional bodies:
The report is available free of charge from ELI’s website. Contact Read Porter directly at (202) 939-3810 or porter@eli.org.
Last month, the Pulling Together Initiative - a Texas-sized partnership to manage invasive plants - hosted its second statewide invasive plant conference in Texas. Learn more about the conference by downloading the executive summary below.
NECIS members sent Sen. Barbara Boxer a letter of appreciation today to thank her for her efforts to improve the Ballast Water Management Act of 2007 (S. 1578).
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today that it is adding all forms of live black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus), gametes, viable eggs, and hybrids to the list of injurious fish under the Lacey Act. The addition, which becomes effective Nov. 19, 2007, prohibits the importation into or transportation between the continental United States, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any territory or possession of the United States, of live black carp, gametes, viable eggs, and hybrids. The best available information indicates that this action is necessary to protect the interests of wildlife and wildlife resources from the purposeful or accidental introduction and subsequent establishment of black carp in the ecosystems of the United States.
Live black carp, gametes, viable eggs, and hybrids can be imported only by permit for scientific, medical, educational, or zoological purposes, or without a permit by Federal agencies solely for their own use. Interstate transportation of live black carp, gametes, viable eggs, and hybrids currently held within the United States will be allowed only by permit. Interstate transportation permits may be issued for scientific, medical, educational, or zoological purposes.
Peter T. Jenkins, Director of International Conservation for Defenders of Wildlife, testifed today before the House Natural Resources Committee Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, and Oceans. Download Testimony.doc
Defenders' major new report, "Broken Screens: The Regulation of Live Animal Imports in the United States," details the failures of the regulatory system for live, wild animal imports in the United States. This report is an unprecedented examination of the low level of protection given by the lax U.S. system from the risks that non-native animal species pose to our environment and to public health. See the full report here.
NECIS members today wrote Senator Daniel K. Inouye to convey their strong opposition to the Clean Water Act exemption and state preemption provisions of the Ballast Water Management Act of 2007, S. 1578.
NECIS today expressed its support for legislation that seeks to provide the funds to fight invasive species in the West and throughout the nation. The 100th Meridian Invasive Species Revolving Loan Fund promotes cooperative and collaborative partnerships among federal, state, and local governments, in addition to helping grassroots groups that work on specific problems in designated areas.
The Environmental Law Institute today announced the publication of “Strategies for Effective State Early Detection/Rapid Response Programs for Plant Pests and Pathogens,” a report by attorney Read Porter that assesses the utility of state early detection and rapid response (ED/RR) laws for identifying and stopping the spread of invasive plant pests and pathogens. The report focuses on invasive forest pests, which are often poorly controlled by agriculture-centric response laws and which may infect or infest suburban or urban areas, raising the specter not only of environmental damage but also of significant economic and aesthetic costs. The report is available free of charge from ELI’s website, at http://www.elistore.org/reports_detail.asp?ID=11223.
