Under the Lacey Act (18 U.S.C. 42, as amended), the Secretary of the Interior is authorized to regulate the importation and transport of species, including offspring and eggs, determined to be injurious to the health and welfare of humans, the interests of agriculture, horticulture or forestry, and the welfare and survival of wildlife resources of the U.S. These injurious species may not be imported into or transported between states, districts or territories of the U.S. without a permit issued by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The 2008 Farm Bill (the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008), amended the Lacey Act by expanding its protection to a broader range of plants and plant products. The Lacey Act now also makes it unlawful to import certain plants and plant products without an import declaration.
A current list of species considered injurious to wildlife under the Lacey Act:
Includes the Noxious Weed Control and Eradication Act of 2004. Regulates the movement of plants, plant products, biological control organisms, and noxious weeds and authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to “publish, by regulation, a list of noxious weeds that are prohibited or restricted from entering the United States or that are subject to restrictions on interstate movement within the United States.” Plant Protection Act and Noxious Weed Control and Eradication Act of 2004
Expresses the noxious weeds that are prohibited or restricted from entering or being transported throughout the United States.
Directs EPA to develop management practices for recreational vessels to mitigate adverse effects from recreational boat discharges, such as bilgewater, graywater and deck runoff, that may contain substances harmful to water quality or spread invasive species.
(Public Law 104-332), a reauthorization and amendment of the Non-Indigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-646), is intended to prevent invasive species from entering inland waters through ballast water.
Prohibits interstate transportation, delivery, receipt or sales of alligator grass (alternanthera philoxeroides), or water chestnut plants (trapa natans) or water hyacinth plants (eichhornia crassipes) or the seeds of such grass or plants.
In addition to state laws there are a variety of federal and international laws regarding ballast water. Contact EGLE for additional information.
