Invasive Species and New York

Invasive species affect the lives of all New Yorkers and we pay a significant price to deal with them. Invasive species damage our crops and infrastructure, cause power failures and food and water shortages, harm the environment, and cause human and livestock diseases.

Some of the species already having a major impact on New York include: round gobies, Asian shore crabs, Phragmites (the common reed), Eurasian watermilfoil, Japanese knotweed, garlic mustard, mile a minute vine, purple loosestrife, water chestnut, viral hemorrhagic septecemia (a fish disease) and West Nile virus. Scores more are just on our doorstep.

What is being done in New York?

Lake George is located within the APIPP PRISM. The Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program (APIPP) is a cooperative effort initiated in 1998 among citizens and organizations of the Adirondacks.
Their mission is to protect the Adirondack region from the negative impacts of nonnative invasive species. To learn more about APIPP, visit adirondackinvasives.com

In response to the growing problem of invasive species, Governor Pataki signed legislation sponsored by Senator Marcellino and Assemblyman DiNapoli in 2003. Chapter 324 of the Laws of New York of 2003 called for an Invasive Species Task Force to explore the invasive species issue in New York State and to provide recommendations to the governor and the legislature.
Among the recommendations of the NYS Invasive Species Task Force was the formation of eight Partnerships for Regional Invasive Species Management (PRISMs) to prevent or minimize the harm caused by invasive species on New York's environment, economy and the health and well-being of the state's citizens. PRISMs coordinate invasive species management functions including coordinating partner efforts, recruiting and training citizen volunteers, identifying and delivering education and outreach, establishing early detection monitoring networks and implementing direct eradication and control efforts.
In August 2007, Governor Spitzer signed Chapter 674 of the Laws of 2007 creating a new Title 17 of the NY Environmental Conservation Law, the NYS Invasive Species Council Act, establishing the New York Invasive Species Council and an Invasive Species Advisory Committee to assess “the nature, scope and magnitude of the environmental, ecological, agricultural, economic, recreational, and social impacts caused by invasive species in the state” and to identify and coordinate actions to prevent, control, and manage invasive species.
In December 2007, Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis announced the formation of the Office of Invasive Species Coordination within DEC. The new office brings together biologists and foresters to develop ways to combat the invasive species problem, and works with universities, other state agencies and non-profit organizations to support research and raise public awareness of the issue.
In May of 2010 the Lake George Association issued a comment letter in support of a proposal by the state Invasive Species Council. For the first time, New York would classify non-native plants and animals to help prevent the spread of invasive species through waterways, forests and farmlands. The Council’s report, “A Regulatory System for Non-Native Species,” called for a multi-pronged approach to tackling one of the state’s fastest growing environmental threats. The proposed new assessment system would allow the state to categorize invasive species as “prohibited,” “regulated” or “unregulated.” Such a classification system would help restrict movement of potentially harmful plants and animals.

For more information about invasive species in New York, visit the New York Invasive Species Clearinghouse.