Posted by The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has released its Draft Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) strategy to prevent the introduction and spread of AIS in New York State for public comment. Comments will be accepted through December 15.
Aquatic Invasive Species threaten the ecology of New York waters and can harm water-based recreational opportunities and economies critical to the Adirondack region. New York is particularly vulnerable to AIS due to its vast marine and fresh water resources, major commercial ports and the easy access that ocean-going vessels have to the Great Lakes via the State’s canal system. Managing an infestation is extremely costly, so prevention is the most cost-effective strategy.
This Strategic Plan updates DEC’s “Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Management Plan,” which was written in 1993. The draft plan includes more than 50 actions designed to address prevention, detection, and response to AIS. Proposed actions identified in the strategy include:
- Expand the boat launch steward program statewide;
- Develop an AIS response framework to guide decision making when AIS are detected, and communicate the reasoning for the response selected;
- Implement an AIS public awareness campaign and evaluate its effectiveness in reaching target audiences;
- Expand the use of AIS disposal stations at waterway access sites;
- Establish regional “first responder” AIS teams to incorporate local expertise in planning and implementing appropriate AIS responses; and
- Identify and evaluate risks associated with pathways for AIS introduction and movement within New York.
Aquatic invasive species arrive by many pathways including direct introduction, live animal trade, the nursery and landscape trade, fishing and recreational boating and cargo transportation.
The Draft Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan can be viewed on DEC’s website. Public comments will be accepted through December 15th. You can send comments to the address below or email them – enter “AIS Management Plan” in the subject line.
Philip Hulbert
NYSDEC Division of Fish, Wildlife, and Marine Resources
625 Broadway, 5th Floor
Albany, New York 12233-4753
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Source: Adirondack Almanac
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