Proposed rule would classify invasive species into 2 categories

Talk about it

Statewide public hearings in August will determine how to slow the spread of troublesome invasive animals, plants and pests.

Public listening sessions were held in January. Those sessions led to the draft rule proposal the state Natural Resources Board approved for public hearings.

Two categories would be established -- prohibited and restricted -- and it would be illegal to import, transport, buy, sell, plant or release the listed species in Wisconsin.

“Prohibited species are those not yet in the state, or only known in a few locations,” according to Tom Boos, a member of the Department of Natural Resources invasive species team that is developing the proposal.

He said “For these species the goal is eradication and containing their spread before they become troublesome. Restricted species are those already too widespread to realistically expect to contain statewide, so the goal is to minimize further spread.”

Boos said there are a number of species that are close to our doorstep, including kudzu and Asian carp species, and others that are just starting to get established in the state. “These are the species proposed as prohibited. Those already widespread are generally proposed as ‘restricted.’”

People who have restricted species on their property would not be required to control them. For those few locations where prohibited species are located, the department will work with landowners and others to try to contain them.

A public hearing in La Crosse is planned for 1 p.m. Aug. 19, in rooms B19-20, State Office Building, 3550 Mormon Coulee Road.

Hearings will also be held in Madison, Milwaukee, Spooner, Green Bay and Wausau.

Tags: outdoor, hearings, invasive, species