NECIS

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.

Defenders of Wildlife releases new report on Invasives

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.

Ecological Society of America – Position Paper on Biological Invasions (March 2006)

This ESA position paper, authored by more than ten prominent scientists, provides a general overview of the impact of invasive species and provides a series of recommendations for U.S. policy and management in the areas of prevention (new tools and technologies to address pathways; screening and risk analysis for imported organisms); early detection, eradication and control (new technologies for surveillance and use of existing web-based networks; availability of legal authority and funding for rapid response efforts; funds and incentives for slowing the spread of established species); and establishment of a National Center for Invasive Species Management. Download esa_position_paper_0306.pdf

Comments to the US Fish and Wildlife Service on Listing Black Carp under the Lacey Act

In response to a notice in the Federal Register, a few NECIS groups submitted comments on their own behalf regarding the listing of live black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus) as an injurious species under the Lacey Act. It should be noted that this call for input is merely the latest round of a federal process that has kept the issue under consideration since the early 1990s. The following groups submitted letters:

Defenders of Wildlife <Download dowcarp_120506.pdf>

The Nature Conservancy <Download tnccarp_121605.pdf>

Union of Concerned Scientists <Download ucscarp_121605.pdf>

International Law Related to Precautionary Approaches to National Regulation of Plant Imports (2005) by Peter Jenkins, ICTA

This article by Peter Jenkins of the International Center for Technology Assessment discusses international law as it relates to attempts by countries to strengthen their national laws regulating the import of live plants from other countries. The paper specifically addresses whether and how countries can shift to regulating plant imports through a precautionary listing approach (clean, dirty and gray lists) while respecting their obligations under international law. Download jenkins_2005.pdf

Invasive Alien Species and Trade: Integrating Prevention Measures and International Trade Rules (January 2006)

Published by the Center for International Environmental Law, Defenders of Wildlife and the Nature Conservancy in January 2006, this report provides a general overview of the relationship between trade rules and invasive species. It includes sections on measures for preventing introductions of invasive species; an overview of international trade law including relevant agreements and jurisprudence under the World Trade Organization; and principles and recommendations for future work in the area. Download trade_invasives_0106.pdf

Under Siege: Invasive Species on Military Bases (October 2005)

This report, published by the National Wildlife Federation, examines the impact of invasive alien species on the operations of the U.S. military. It includes case studies on twelve installations or bases run by the Air Force, Army, Marine Corps and Navy across the U.S. and its territories, along with a series of recommendations for future work. (File size ~4.0 MB) Download nwfunder_seige_1005.pdf

Small Island Developing States and Invasive Alien Species (2004)

This report by the Center for International Environmental Law, Defenders of Wildlife and the Nature Conservancy includes a series of briefing papers addressing key issues relevant to the control and management of invasive alien species in island settings. In addition to a general overview, the sections address: pathways and control measures; building capacity; the international legal and institutional context; and the international trade regime. (File size ~9.7 MB) Download islands_invasives_2004.pdf

Press Release – Scientists Warn that US Is Under Assault by Invasive Species

On the tenth anniversary of a landmark report on invasive species, a panel of national experts called progress in dealing with invasive species during the past decade woefully inadequate. Federal inaction has prompted 750 scientists and experts to sign a “Call to Action” urging Congress and the President to move immediately to prevent the further introduction and spread of these biological invaders. More than 100 citizens groups have signed an identical letter. Download pr_scientist_cta_121803.doc