Wisconsin's New Invasive Species Rule

Fast Facts

• Wisconsin's leading industries, native ecosystems, outdoor recreation, and taxpayers' pocketbooks are facing an onslaught of invasive species - nonnative plants, animals and pathogens from other regions and other countries.
• These invasive species - everything from zebra mussels, to Eurasian Water Milfoil to emerald ash borer and gypsy moth -- cause more damage in some places than in others, but generally they can:
  • Crowd out native species, which in turn impacts wildlife that depend on native species for food and habitat.
  • Interfere with recreation, as Eurasian Water Milfoil does when thick mats of the plant tangle in boat propellers.
  • Impact industry. 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, which employs 160,000.
  • Cost taxpayers, businesses and consumers money. Since 2003 alone, the state has provided $10.5 million in grants to local communities for aquatic invasives species prevention and control. Lake districts and associations collectively spend millions each year harvesting Eurasian Water Milfoil or treating it with chemicals. Utility rate customers pay when zebra mussels clog water intake pipes.
  • Reduce scenic beauty and our quality of life. The emerald ash borer, for example, threatens to kill ash trees, which comprise 20 percent of trees in urban areas in Wisconsin.

The good news is most Wisconsin lakes, wetlands, forests and prairies don't have the most troublesome invasive species. Wisconsin has been working on the national, state and local level to prevent new invasive species from being introduced here and to prevent invaders already here from spreading.

People play a major role in bringing invasive species here in the first place and then spreading them once they are established here. Many non-native plant species were purposefully introduced to beautify gardens to beautify gardens, and as medicinal and forage plants. Gypsy moths were brought here by an individual hoping to create a super silk spinner.

Many other invasive species have been accidentally introduced to Wisconsin. More than 180 nonnative fish, plants, insects and organisms have entered the Great Lakes since the early 1800s, with ocean-going ships' ballast water has accounted for 55-70 percent of reported aquatic species introductions since 1959 to the Great Lakes.

Zebra mussels and Eurasian Water Milfoil can be carried in a bait bucket or attached to a boat trailer. Emerald ash borer and gypsy moth can be carried in the firewood campers bring with them.

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The Rule

A 2001 law directed DNR to establish a statewide program to control invasive species, focusing on those that threaten Wisconsin's economy and ecosystems and may be approaching but not yet established in the state.

DNR worked with dozens of stakeholder groups and the Wisconsin Council on Invasive Species [exit DNR] to develop the rule, which classifies invasive species into two categories, "Prohibited Species" and "Restricted Species," and establishes regulations people must follow for those listed species.

List of prohibited and restricted species:

• Plants
• Animals, Algae, and Other

The rules also include preventive measures that people must take to avoid accidentally spreading any invasive species. These measures complement existing statutes and rules such as the VHS rules.

Regulations for Prohibited and Restricted Species

"Prohibited species" are not yet in the state or only exist in small populations but have the potential to cause significant damage if they are allowed to spread and become established. The goal is to contain their spread, so it's illegal for people to transport, import, possess, transfer, sell and introduce "Prohibited Species", with some exceptions.

"Restricted species" are invasive species that are already too widespread to realistically expect they can be eradicated or contained but the goal is to slow the spread. It's illegal for people to transport, import, transfer, sell and introduce "restricted species," but people may possess restricted species with the exception of fish and crayfish.

DNR may issue permits for research or public display of any prohibited or restricted invasive species, and may issue permits for any other purposes for all of them with the exception of invasive fish and crayfish.

The rule also exempts people who incidentally or unknowingly transport, possess, transfer or introduce a listed invasive species without a permit if the DNR determines that they took reasonable precautions.

Who will be affected?

A very small number of people will have prohibited species show up on their land, some unintentionally, others knowingly. With landowner permission or a judicial inspection warrant, DNR may inspect property for prohibited species only, as well as sample and control for these species. The DNR will seek to work cooperatively with the land owner or manager to determine the best means of control and approve a management plan. The DNR will seek funds to help in the control of prohibited species if the DNR determines it's feasible and reasonable to control the prohibited species on the property.

Related Links

The rule complements other state laws, rules and programs to help prevent and control invasive species. Here are some examples:

• Aquatic invasive species prevention and control efforts
• Forest health protection
• Invasive Plants of the Future

Related Sites

• Invasive Species Best Management Practices [exit DNR]
  To minimize this spread of invasive species, interested stakeholders have been working over the last few years to develop voluntary Best Management Practices. These guidelines will help Wisconsin residents and visitors to decrease the likelihood that they are moving invasive species around.

Multimedia

Photos

• Plants
• Animals, Algae, and Other

Video

Invaders on land

• Introduction to Identifying and Controlling Invasive Species in Your Woods [VIDEO Length 2:06]
• Identifying and Controlling Honeysuckle [VIDEO Length 2:31]
• Identifying and Controlling Garlic Mustard [VIDEO Length 2:10]
• Identifying and Controlling Buckthorn [VIDEO Length 2:26]

• Emerald ash borer

Invaders in the water

• Tips on stopping the spread of aquatic invasive species and VHS fish disease
  AIS/VHS State fair [VIDEO Length 1:11]
• Aquatic Invasive Species PSA [VIDEO Length :33]
• Aquatic Invasive Species PSA 2 [VIDEO Length :32]

VHS

• Thank you fish
• Shore anglers and VHS
• More VHS videos and audio

Radio

More Resources

• Invasive Species - Making Themselves At Home in Wisconsin's Lakes and Landscapes
• Wisconsin Emerald Ash Borer Information Source [exit DNR]
• Exotic Plant Information Center [exit DNR] - Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission
• Wisconsin Council on Invasive Species [exit DNR]
• Invasive Plant Association of Wisconsin [exit DNR]

Contacts

Rule Overview

• Kelly Kearns, Endangered Resources (608) 267-5066
• Thomas Boos, Forest Science (608) 266-9276

Plants

• Jen Hauxwell, Invasive Aquatic Plants, Algae and Cyanobacteria (608) 221-6373
• Kelly Kearns, Invasive plants, (608) 267-5066
• Thomas Boos, Forest Science (608) 266-9276

Insects and Plant Diseases

• Jane Cummings-Carlson, Forest Health (608) 275-3273

Fish

• Bill Horns, Fisheries Management - Fish (608) 266-8782

Other Animals

• Scott Loomans, other terrestrial animals (608) 267-2452
• Martye Griffin, Mussels and Crayfish (608) 266-2997

Additional Contacts

• Peter Flaherty, attorney (608) 266-8254
• Bob Manwell, public information officer (608) 264-9248
• Tom Van Haren, enforcement issues (608) 266-3244

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