NECIS

Court Affirms Ban On Interstate Commerce of Injurious Species

On April 7, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a ruling in favor of the U.S. Association of Reptile Keepers (USARK), lifting restrictions on interstate commerce of injurious species listed under the Lacey Act. In 2013, USARK filed litigation against the U.S. Department of the Interior challenging the 2012 U.S. Fish and Wildlife rule which listed four pythons and one anaconda — Burmese pyth ...[Read More]

President Obama Signs New Invasive Species Executive Order

On December 5, 2016 President Obama signed a new Executive Order “Safeguarding the Nation from the Impacts of Invasive Species.” This order updates an existing invasive species Executive Order (13112), which has been in place since 1999. “This order amends Executive Order 13112 and directs actions to continue coordinated Federal prevention and control efforts related to invasive species. This orde ...[Read More]

DOI Announces Framework to Safeguard Nation’s Lands & Waters from Invasive Species

On February 18th, the U.S. Department of Interior released a report on using early detection and rapid response (EDRR) actions to stop the spread of invasive species. The report, Safeguarding America’s Lands and Waters from Invasive Species: A National Framework for Early Detection and Rapid Response,  was called for by the White House Council on Climate Preparedness and Resilience as part of thei ...[Read More]

FWS Bans Import of 201 Salamander Species to Prevent Spread of Deadly Fungus

Photo of northern red salamander

The United States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) announced on January 12th the designation of 201 species of salamanders as “injurious species” under the Lacey Act (1900).   The interim rule bans the import or interstate transfer of listed species, effective January 28th.  Following a 60-day public comment period, a final rule will be announced by the Service.   The rapid move is an effort to pre ...[Read More]

EPA Failed to Protect US Waters from Aquatic Invasive Species, Court Says

In a unanimous 3-0 decision that has ramifications for waters across the country—from Long Island Sound to the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico to San Francisco Bay—the U.S. Court of Appeals 2nd Circuit ruled on October 6th that the U.S. EPA failed its responsibility under the Clean Water Act to protect U.S. waters from aquatic invasive species introduced by ballast water discharge. Ballast water ...[Read More]

NWF Praises Constrictor Snake Species Listing as “Injurious Species”

The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) praised the March 6th announcement by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) that it is banning import of four species of large constrictor snakes that pose a serious risk to America’s wildlife and their habitats. Large non-native constrictors, such as the Burmese python, are devastating native wildlife in places such as Florida’s Everglades. The announce ...[Read More]

Tackling the Challenge of Invasive Species: A Coordinated and Comprehensive National Response

Today the National Environmental Coalition on Invasive Species (NECIS) released a document outlining a vision for a comprehensive national response in order to tackle the challenge of invasive species.  The vision is intended to address the inadequate authority, capacity, and coordination of the current federal response to invasive species issues. The NECIS vision is unique in that it emphasizes t ...[Read More]

House Judiciary Committee Passes Snakes Bill

Last week the House Judiciary Committee passed H.R. 511, a bill from Representative Rooney (R-FL) that would add nine species of large constrictor snakes to the list of species that are prohibited from being imported or crossing state lines. Unfortunately, this positive effort was undermined by an amendment to allow a broad exemption for certain exhibitors of snakes, including many roadside zoos a ...[Read More]

NECIS Comments on Climate Adaptation Strategy

Yesterday, the National Environmental Coalition on Invasive Species (NECIS) delivered comments on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s draft National Fish, Wildlife and Plants Climate Adaptation Strategy. The coalition commended FWS for the development of the Climate Adaptation strategy and focused their comments on strengthening actions to prevent and control invasive species. For the complete co ...[Read More]

Bill to Add 9 Snake Species to Prohibited List Passes Committee

Last week the House Judiciary Committee passed H.R. 511, a bill from Representative Rooney (R-FL) that would add nine species of large constrictor snakes to the list of species that are prohibited from being imported or crossing state lines.  Unfortunately, this positive effort was undermined by an amendment to allow a broad exemption for certain exhibitors of snakes, including many roadside ...[Read More]