Proposed rule would classify prohibited and restricted invasive species Public hearings will be held around state in August
MADISON – A proposed rule aimed at slowing the spread of invasive species into Wisconsin by restricting the sale, planting or release of the most troublesome invaders will be the topic of public hearings statewide in August.
The rule would establish two categories of invasive species of plants, animals and nonagricultural plant pests: “prohibited” and “restricted,” and make it illegal to import, transport, buy, sell, plant or release the listed species in Wisconsin.
“Prohibited species are those not yet in the state, or only known in a few locations,” according to Tom Boos, a member of the Department of Natural Resources invasive species team that is developing the proposal. “For these species the goal is eradication and containing their spread before they become troublesome. Restricted species are those already too widespread to realistically expect to contain statewide, so the goal is to minimize further spread.”
“There are a number of species that are close to our doorstep, including kudzu and Asian carp species, and a number of others that are just starting to get established in the state. These are the species proposed as ‘prohibited.’ Those already widespread are generally proposed as ‘restricted,’” Boos says. “We hope a comprehensive classification system will prevent new introductions of invasive species from occurring and slow the spread of those already here.”
People who have restricted species on their property would not be required to control them. For those few locations where prohibited species are located, the department will work with landowners and others to try to contain them.
Public listening sessions were held in January where Department of Natural Resource staff gathered public comments on a range of possible rule options suggested by the Wisconsin Council on Invasive Species and DNR staff. Those sessions led to the draft rule proposal the state Natural Resources Board approved for public hearings.
Public hearings on the proposed rule will be held on the following dates at the locations listed:
* August 14, Madison - 10 a.m.; Gathering Waters/ Glaciers Edge conference room, DNR South Central Region Headquarters, 3911 Fish Hatchery Rd., Fitchburg.
* August 14, Milwaukee - 3 p.m.; Room 141, DNR Southeast Region Headquarters, 2300 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr.
* August 15, Green Bay - 1 p.m., Lake Michigan room, DNR Northeast Region Headquarters, 2984 Shawano Ave.
* August 19, La Crosse - 1 p.m., Room B19 &B20, State Office Building, 3550 Mormon Coulee Road.
* August 20, Spooner - 2:30 p.m., large conference room, DNR Northern Region Headquarters, 810 W. Maple St.
* August 26, Wausau - 1 p.m., DNR Wausau City Hall, Council Chambers, 407 Grant St.
Invasive species already proliferate in state
Invasive species are plants, animals and pests from other regions or countries that proliferate and have few natural enemies in Wisconsin to keep their populations in check. Invasive species generally crowd out native species, which in turn harms wildlife that depends on native species for food and habitat. Invasives also can interfere with recreation -- as Eurasian water milfoil does when thick mats of the plant tangle in boat propellers -- and they can affect industry and cost taxpayers and consumers money. For example, buckthorn and honeysuckle, by preventing forest regeneration, can cause short- and long-term damage to Wisconsin’s $22.6 billion forestry and forest products industry.
More than 180 aquatic invasive species such as zebra mussels, round gobies and spiny water flea have entered the Great Lakes in the last century, and more than 130 non-native invasive plants have been documented in Wisconsin. A new study by Notre Dame found that invasive species cost the Great Lakes economy $200 million per year.
More information on the public hearings and the invasive classification proposal is available on the DNR Web site. People will also be able to submit comments on-line or in writing through the Web site or they may send them to: NR 40 Comments, ER-6, Wisconsin DNR, PO Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707-7921.
This rule is one piece of a comprehensive strategy, including increased grants to local communities to fight aquatic invasive species that was included in Gov. Jim Doyle’s 2007-09 state budget.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Boos (608) 266-9276 or Kelly Kearns (608) 267-5066
