NECIS

Myths vs. Facts on H.R. 669

Recently, a bill was introduced into the United State House of Representatives titled "The Nonnative Wildlife Invasion Prevention Act", also known as H.R. 669. The bill aims to stop the spread of invasive species in the U.S. by preventing the introduction of non-native wildlife species that pose excessive risk to the economy, the environment, human health or native wildlife. The act would require the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to first assess the potential risks associated with a species proposed for import before deciding whether to allow or prohibit it. It would establish a comprehensive law regulating non-native wildlife that will keep potentially harmful animals out in the first place.

You can read additional information about H.R. 669 by clicking on the link below:
Download Myths vs facts on HR 669

NECIS Sends Letter to Chair of CEQ about Guidance on Invasives

NECIS sent a letter to the new Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), Nancy Sutley, urging CEQ to finalize a long-overdue formal Guidance document on Invasive Species under the National Environmental Policy Act.

Download Letter to Sutley - NEPA guidance

NECIS Releases New Fact Sheet Urging Support for H.R. 669

NECIS released a new fact sheet to support passage of HR 669 - The Non-native Wildlife Invasion Prevention Act. The act would prevent the introduction of non-native wildlife species that pose excessive risk to the economy, the environment, human health or native wildlife. The act would require the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to first assess the potential risks associated with a species proposed for importation before deciding whether to allow or prohibit it.
Download Invasives fact sheet

NECIS members outline 'An Action Plan on Invasive Species' for the Obama Administration

NECIS released an action plan on invasive species directed at the new Presidential administration and the 111th Congress. The action plan calls for: screening of international imports; prevention of inadvertent introductions; funding for early detection and response; federal leadership; and additional funding to address agencies' needs and gaps.

Download NECIS brochure

NECIS members call for new legislation on pre-import screening of non-native animal species

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

Environmental Law Institute announces publication of Chesapeake Bay report

“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:

• Require the Chesapeake Bay Program to respond to recommendations made by the Mid-Atlantic Panel on Aquatic Invasive Species
• Engage the Chesapeake Bay Commission and interstate river basin commissions in harmonizing state AIS policies
• Establish an interstate invasive species council workgroup
• Integrate all headwater states and agencies into regional AIS prevention bodies
• Harmonize and strengthen state AIS lists, as well as the importation, release, and escape protections that apply to listed species
• Develop new legal authorities to address ballast water, recreational vessels, and other emerging invasion vectors and strengthen regulation of horticulture and water gardening
• Fund existing AIS plans and develop a single AIS prevention plan for the Chesapeake Bay watershed that includes benchmarks for success. 

The report is available free of charge from ELI’s website.  Contact Read Porter directly at (202) 939-3810 or porter@eli.org.

Texas hosts statewide invasive plant conference, gives birth to TX-IPPC

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.

Download 2007_texas_invasive_plant_conference.pdf

NECIS members thank Sen. Boxer for her efforts to improve federal ballast legislation

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).

Download november_2007_necis_boxer_thank_you_letter.doc

FWS adds black carp to list of injurious fish under Lacey Act

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.

NECIS member testifies at House subcommittee hearing on invasive species

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