Invasive Species

The United States has a goal to reduce the risk of plant and animal introductions into new geographic areas because of the economic, environmental, and social impacts that these species can cause. Species, such as rusty crayfish, zebra mussels, Northern Snakehead, and hydrilla displace native plants and animals, permanently altering native habitats, and negatively affecting biodiversity. The National Sea Grant Law Center works to support this national goal by conducting research and outreach on federal and state invasive species laws and regulations to increase understanding of this complex area of environmental law and facilitate discussions to address inconsistencies and gaps. Highlights of the Law Center’s current invasive species projects are listed below.

Mitigating the Risk of Aquatic Invasive Species in Commerce

In 2022, Creative Resources Strategies, Conservation Collaborations, and the National Sea Grant Law Center received funding from the U.S. Department of Interior to identify the key issues that contribute to the introduction and spread of AIS via commerce and develop an action plan, legal case studies, model regulatory framework, and toolkit to provide guidance and resources to policy-makers, regulators, industry members, and consumers to minimize the spread. To learn more about the project, please visit the project website at www.aisincommerce.org.

Legal Case Studies

• Pet Stores
• Red-Eared Slider
• Marbled Crayfish
• Water Hyacinth
• Aquatic Invasive Species in Commerce

Reducing the Potential to Spread Aquatic Invasive Species Via the Seaplane Pathway

In 2023, Creative Resources Strategies, Conservation Collaborations, and the National Sea Grant Law Center received funding from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to assess the risk of aquatic invasive species spread by seaplanes and develop best management practices to minimize the identified risks. During Phase 1 of the project, the National Sea Grant Law Center contributed to the project by conducting research on federal and state laws governing the use of seaplanes. The results of this research were published as part of the Phase 1 literature review. To learn more about the project, please visit the project website at www.seaplanesandais.com.

Development a Model Legal Package for NAISMA’s Weed Free Products Program

As the North American Invasive Species Management Association’s Weed Free Products (WFP) program expands across the country, legal and policy barriers have emerged that limit implementation. To advance the WFP standards, the National Sea Grant Law Center is collaborating with NAISMA to create a model legal package for state noxious weed programs focused on pathway prevention through certified weed free forage, gravel, and mulch. The three-year project, which launched in January 2023, is supported by the U.S. Department of Interior with funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. During the first year of the project, the NSGLC is conducting an inventory and gap analysis of noxious weed statutes, regulations, and policies nationwide. The inventory and findings from the gap analysis will provide the foundation for the development of the model legal package.