The Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program and The Nature Conservancy Applaud Governor Hochul for Signing Aquatic Invasive Species Law
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Amanda Ely
Phone: (917) 687-9982
Email: amanda.ely@tnc.org
The Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program (APIPP) and The Nature Conservancy today applauded Governor Hochul for signing the aquatic invasive species bill into law. The law strengthens aquatic invasive species prevention by ensuring boat owners certify inspection and/or decontamination of their motorized watercraft before launching in Adirondack waters. The new law, which is statewide but includes provisions for enhanced prevention measures in the Adirondack Park, creates permanent preventative policies that will help reduce aquatic invasive species in New York. The state’s former aquatic invasive species law expired in June.
APIPP has worked on the ground for more than two decades to minimize the negative impacts of invasive species on the economy and ecology of the Adirondack region through prevention, early detection, eradication and management.
This year, APIPP volunteers, partners, contractors and staff submitted a record number of monitoring reports for 110 Adirondack waterbodies. The percent of lakes with invasive species observed was lower than the five-year average.
“Today, approximately 75% of Adirondack waterways are free of invasive species. You can help keep them this way by doing your part to follow the law by always cleaning, draining, and drying boats and gear before visiting different lakes and rivers,” said Tammara Van Ryn, APIPP Manager.
Invasive species are plants and animals that are not native to our region and cause harm to ecosystems, human health, and vital economic sectors such as outdoor recreation and fisheries.
“Protecting the waters that flow from the Adirondacks to other regions of the state enhances the quality of life for millions of New Yorkers and benefits our economy widely,” said Peg Olsen, The Nature Conservancy’s Adirondack Director.
“We must never take for granted that our clean Adirondack waterways are the result of the many years of preventative work we’ve accomplished through strong partnerships with government, local nonprofits, and community volunteers,” added Van Ryn.
The Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program (APIPP) serves as the Adirondack Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management (PRISM), one of eight partnerships across New York. APIPP is hosted by The Adirondack Chapter of The Nature Conservancy and receives financial support from the Environmental Protection Fund administered by New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
The Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at an unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably and helping make cities more sustainable. Working in 76 countries and territories—37 by direct conservation impact and 39 through partners—we use a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. To learn more, visit www.nature.org or follow @nature_press on Twitter.
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