Relates to invasive species

3 Co-sponsors

• Pamela Helming
• Luis R. Sepúlveda
• David J. Valesky

Title of bill

An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to invasive species

Purpose or general idea of bill

Amends the environmental conservation law, in relation to invasive species

Summary of provisions

Section 1 of the bill amends subdivision 10 of section 9-1703 of the environmental conservation law to clarify the definition of "invasive species"

Section 2 of the bill provides for the effective date

Justification

Pursuant to the environmental conservation law, the definition of "invasive species" provides for a limited scope of those that are (a) non-native to the ecosystem under consideration; and (b) whose introduction causes or is likely to cause environmental harm or harm to human health. While this definition has effectively allowed for State intervention regarding many species that pose financial and environmental harm to New York State including, but not limited to, the Asian long-horned beetle (insect), Dutch elm disease (pathogen), and the European oak bark beetle (insect), it does not address infestations that have had devastating impacts that are similar in nature. As such, this legislation will expand the definition of invasive species to include infestations that are large enough to be considered harmful and threatening to environmental and human health, including those by insects that carry vector-borne diseases including Lyme disease and West Nile Virus.

West Nile Virus has seen a significant spread across the United States since early monitoring in 1999. Many of the initial outbreaks were found in New York State. The mosquito carried virus has had devastating impacts on bird, horse, and human populations and has threatened the economic stability of many businesses and farms across the state. In addition, New York has also found itself as an epicenter in the Lyme disease outbreak that has resulted in Lyme being the most commonly reported vector-borne illness in the United States. In fact, 94% of Lyme disease cases were reported in 12 states in 2010, including New York. In 2013, the CDC reported that New York had the second-highest number of confirmed Lyme disease cases (42,111 cases) in the United States during 20032012. The deer tick, or carrier, has been found in 42 counties of New York and is common in areas where deer and woodland mice can be found. Given the pattern of outbreaks, prevalence, impacts, and modalities of the spread of these types of illnesses, the insects that carry these vector-borne diseases should be included in the definition of invasive species for the purposes of management and control efforts.

As such, the expanded definition will make infestations of this sort subject to the purview of the Invasive Species Council, a statutory body created in 2008, charged with coordinating among state entities and private partners to address environmental, economic, and health threats of invasive species. While New York has taken important steps in addressing West Nile Virus and Lyme disease through target public health efforts, the interagency coordination, as well as multidisciplinary approach to control efforts provided by the Invasive Species Council, offers unique opportunities to manage the significant threats that infestations of infected ticks and mosquito populations in New York. PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY :

New bill.

Fiscal implications for state and local governments

None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.