On Wednesday, January 21 the 2009 General Assembly will hold a hearing on a bill that would create an Invasive Species Council in Indiana. The hearing will take place before the Natural Resources Committee in Room 156B of the Statehouse at 3:30 p.m. The passage will be up for passage Tuesday, January 27.
If passed the bill - HB1203 - will establish a council that will assist the state on ways to prevent the spreading of invasive species as well as how to respond and manage any outbreaks. Developing an inventory of invasive species found in Indiana and coordinating invasive species education and outreach are other goals of the bill. The bill in its entirety can be found at: http://www.in.gov/legislative/bills/2009/PDF/IN/IN1203.1.pdf
Invasive species such as garlic mustard, zebra mussels and emerald ash borers are detrimental to the natural communities in Indiana as they have the ability to thrive and spread aggressively outside its natural range with devastating consequences. If passed, HB1203 would certainly make an impact on combating invasive species in our state.
More facts on HB1203:
This bill creates an Invasive Species Council, which was the top priority of the Task Force created by the Natural Resources Study Committee, because as the rate of invasion increases the need for better communication and coordination is critical. Coordinating efforts will allow for more effective use of limited existing funds. Funds for education, prevention, detection, and management and that ultimately allow us to better address the invasive species threat.
The rate of new species entering the state continues to increase. Some of these have potential to be invasive and the challenge of responding quickly while keeping stakeholders (researchers, land owners, land managers, farmers, foresters, etc.) informed and involved grows as well. And it is all about response time. One thing we know about invasive species is they don’t just sit there! Left untreated, they continue to grow, spread, reproduce, and disperse. And the cost for controlling them increases exponentially as time goes on. Responding quickly is crucial.
A survey of about 30 land managers in Indiana in 2007 found that they were spending $4.5 million on invasive plant management. Some of this is spent by state agencies, but many local land trusts and other small groups are taking on this challenge and spending significant sums to deal with invasive plants. Managers recognize that the costs are increasing, and we want better coordination and communication across the state to better address this issue. The Invasive Species Council will help make that coordination and communication happen.
It’s not just about aquatic and terrestrial plants, though; it is all invasive species – plants, animals, insects, pathogens, and animal disease.
There is no fiscal impact to the state for the Council.
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