Aquatic invasive species regulations in Michigan

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The state of Michigan defines an aquatic invasive species as "an aquatic species that is nonnative to the ecosystem under consideration and whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health". [1] There are approximately 160 invasive aquatic species residing in Michigan. [2] Some of the most commonly known species are the Zebra Mussel, Quagga Mussel, Sea Lamprey, and several species of Asian Carp. Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (NREPA) is the primary state law regulating aquatic invasive species in Michigan.

Contents

Background

Aquatic invasive species were first introduced to the Great Lakes in the early 1800s through ballast tank water. [3] Freight ships carrying goods from foreign countries would travel through the Great Lakes and release their ballast water into the lakes. Ballast water tanks transport an estimated 7,000 aquatic organisms per day. [4] Invasive aquatic species such as the zebra mussel and sea lamprey have caused environmental and economical destruction of the Great Lakes region for decades. Invasive aquatic species in the Great Lakes area cause upwards of $200 million annually in prevention strategies and loss revenue. [5] [6] The first federal invasive aquatic species law in the United States was the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990. It formed the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force, whose primary job was to develop a program of prevention, monitoring, control, and study of aquatic invasive species in the United States. The act was amended in 1996 by the National Invasive Species Act. [7]

History

Outside of U.S. federal invasive aquatic species laws, Michigan has some of its own to protect Michigan waters and the Great Lakes. Michigan has a 3,224 mile-long shoreline [8] along the Great Lakes, making it very economically and ecologically dependent and protective of the lakes and the aquatic species that live in it.

Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act

The Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (NREPA) was created in 1994 and went into effect on March 30, 1995. [1] It is the primary governing legislation on environmental laws and protections in the state of Michigan. It contains all laws regarding invasive aquatic species and environmental protections and control against them.

Prohibited and Restricted Species

Part 413 of NREPA lists what species are prohibited and restricted in the state of Michigan and bans the sale, possession, and import of them. There are currently 56 species listed as prohibited or restricted in Michigan. This includes 17 species of fish, 11 species of mollusks, and 21 species of aquatic plants. [9] This list is regularly amended through Invasive Species Orders. In 2014, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources added 9 species to the prohibited species list. This included the New Zealand mud snail, stone moroko, zander, wels catfish, killer shrimp, yabby, golden mussel and red swamp crayfish. [10] The NREPA was amended again a year later, adding the water soldier to the prohibited species list. [11] The latest amendment to the list was in 2020 when the marbled crayfish was added. [12] In addition to the list of prohibited and restricted species, NREPA provides guidelines on the control and treatment of "aquatic nuisance species". In Part 33, it defines an aquatic nuisance species as "an organism that lives or propagates, or both, within the aquatic environment and that impairs the use or enjoyment of the waters of the state". [1]

Boating Laws

Before 2019, Michigan law only required that no watercraft be placed into Michigan waters if any aquatic plants were attached to them. But on March 21, 2019, the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act was amended to provide more protection of waterways against invasive species. It amended Part 413 of NREPA, by providing additional actions that watercraft users must take before removing and transporting any watercraft over land. [13] Users are required to remove all drain plugs and drain all bilges, ballast tanks, and live wells of the watercraft. In addition, they must ensure that no aquatic organisms are inside or attached to the watercraft or vehicle transporting the watercraft. Anyone that does not comply with this law can be fined up to $100. [14]

The Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force runs a campaign called "Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers!" that encourages boaters and waterway users to follow the boating laws outlined in NREPA. It is partnered with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Department of Environmentally Quality. The campaign also seeks to educate people on invasive and nuisance species. [15]

Fish and Bait Release Laws

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources implemented the Fish Disease Control Order (Fisheries Order 245) on March 21, 2019. It was added to the NREPA to provide further protection of Michigan waterways, fish hatcheries, and aquatic species against aquatic diseases and invasive species. It states that the release and use of fish and baitfish is illegal unless they were caught in that specific waterway or in a physically connecting waterway. All baitfish that are not used cannot be disposed of in any waterway. Violators of this law can be fined up to $100. [16]

Registration to Sell Non-Native Aquatic Species

Anyone that sells living, non-native aquatic species is required to register annually with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. It was one of the many laws added through the March 21, 2019 NREPA amendment. Registration is required for each location that a sale is made, along with a displayed registration confirmation number. Whenever a sale is made, the seller is required to report the name and number of each aquatic species sold to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. [17] There are some exemptions to the registration requirement under the Michigan Aquaculture Development Act and Part 459 of NREPA. These involve breeding in private waterways. Exemptions are also allowed for one-time sales of 20 or less aquatic organisms of the same species. [17]

Ballast Water Management Laws

Michigan follows the federal ballast water management standards set by the United States Coast Guard and the National Invasive Species Act of 1996. Michigan state law requires that all vessels and watercraft that operate on the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River are to report their compliance with the ballast water management standards. The Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) handles all reporting and ensures compliance of ballast water management practices. [18]

Michigan Invasive Species Management Plans and Strategies

In addition to the invasive species laws in NREPA, Michigan has several management plans and strategies in place to control and prevent the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species.

Aquatic Invasive Species State Management Plan

The Aquatic Invasive Species State Management Plan was created to help prevent new aquatic invasive species (AIS) from being introduced as well as prevent existing populations from growing and dispersing to other areas. The plan was also created to reduce the negative effects of AIS and assist agencies in responding to new AIS threats. It was approved on June 17, 2013, by the federal Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force. This plan replaced Michigan's Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Species State Management Plan (1996), which was amended in 2002. It was one of the first state management plans in the United States to be approved by the federal Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force. [19]

Status and Strategies for Established Aquatic Invasive Species

There are 18 different status and strategy guides for aquatic invasive species residing in Michigan. [20] This includes extensive guides on the history and management practices of invasive fish, mollusks, insects, and plants.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Great Lakes</span> Group of lakes in North America

The Great Lakes, also called the Great Lakes of North America, are a series of large interconnected freshwater lakes in the east-central interior of North America that connect to the Atlantic Ocean via the Saint Lawrence River. The five lakes are Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario and they are in general on or near the Canada–United States border. Hydrologically, Michigan and Huron are a single body of water joined at the Straits of Mackinac. The Great Lakes Waterway enables modern travel and shipping by water among the lakes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zebra mussel</span> Species of bivalve

The zebra mussel is a small freshwater mussel. The species originates from the lakes of southern Russia and Ukraine, but has been accidentally introduced to numerous other areas and has become an invasive species in many countries worldwide. Since the 1980s, the species has invaded the Great Lakes, Hudson River, and Lake Travis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Asian carp</span> Common name for several species of fish

Several species of heavy-bodied cyprinid fishes are collectively known in the United States as Asian carp. Cyprinids from the Indian subcontinent—for example, catla and mrigal —are not included in this classification and are known collectively as "Indian carp". Asian carp are considered invasive species in the United States. In June, 2022, the EPA funded initiative to rebrand Asian Carp as Copi was announced. The new name — Copi — is a part of the Federal and multi-state campaign to reintroduce the carps to the public as a healthy and responsible seafood option in order to decrease its numbers in U.S. waterways.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Quagga mussel</span> Species of bivalve

The quagga mussel is a species of freshwater mussel, an aquatic bivalve mollusk in the family Dreissenidae. It has an average lifespan of 3 to 5 years.

The need for a clearly defined and consistent invasion biology terminology has been acknowledged by many sources. Invasive species, or invasive exotics, is a nomenclature term and categorization phrase used for flora and fauna, and for specific restoration-preservation processes in native habitats. Invasion biology is the study of these organisms and the processes of species invasion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Great Lakes Areas of Concern</span> Geographical region in the Great Lakes that show environmental degradation

Great Lakes Areas of Concern are designated geographic areas within the Great Lakes Basin that show severe environmental degradation. There are a total of 43 areas of concern within the Great Lakes, 26 being in the United States, 12 in Canada, and five shared by the two countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michigan Department of Natural Resources</span> Government agency of Michigan

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is the agency of the state of Michigan charged with maintaining natural resources such as state parks, state forests, and recreation areas. It is governed by a director appointed by the Governor and accepted by the Natural Resources Commission. Currently the Director is Daniel Eichinger. The DNR has about 1,400 permanent employees, and over 1,600 seasonal employees.

<i>Cercopagis pengoi</i> Species of small freshwater animal

Cercopagis pengoi, or the fishhook waterflea, is a species of planktonic cladoceran crustaceans that is native in the brackish fringes of the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea. In recent decades it has spread as an invasive species to some freshwater waterways and reservoirs of Eastern Europe and to the brackish Baltic Sea. Further it was introduced in ballast water to the Great Lakes of North America and a number of adjacent lakes, and has become a pest classified among the 100 worst invasive species of the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Florida Department of Environmental Protection</span> Florida government agency

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) is the Florida government agency responsible for environmental protection.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is a government agency in the state of Maryland charged with maintaining natural resources including state parks, public lands, state forests, state waterways, wildlife, and recreation areas. Its headquarters are in Annapolis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ballast water regulation in the United States</span>

Ballast water discharge typically contains a variety of biological materials, including plants, animals, viruses, and bacteria. These materials often include non-native, nuisance, exotic species that can cause extensive ecological and economic damage to aquatic ecosystems. Ballast water discharges are believed to be the leading source of invasive species in U.S. marine waters, thus posing public health and environmental risks, as well as significant economic cost to industries such as water and power utilities, commercial and recreational fisheries, agriculture, and tourism. Studies suggest that the economic cost just from introduction of pest mollusks to U.S. aquatic ecosystems is more than $6 billion per year.

The Water Resources Development Act of 1992, Pub. L.Tooltip Public Law  102–580, was enacted by Congress of the United States on October 31, 1992. Most of the provisions of WRDA 1992 are administered by the United States Army Corps of Engineers.

The Water Resources Development Act of 1999, Pub. L.Tooltip Public Law  106–53 (text)(PDF), was enacted by Congress of the United States on August 17, 1999. Most of the provisions of WRDA 1999 are administered by the United States Army Corps of Engineers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ballast water discharge and the environment</span> Harmful effects of ballast water discharge

Ballast water discharges by ships can have a negative impact on the marine environment. The discharge of ballast water and sediments by ships is governed globally under the Ballast Water Management Convention, since its entry into force in September 2017. It is also controlled through national regulations, which may be separate from the Convention, such as in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Castle Rock Lake</span> Lake in Adams and Juneau counties, Wisconsin, United States

Castle Rock Lake is an artificial lake on the Wisconsin River. It is located in central Wisconsin in Adams County and Juneau County. The lake has an inflow from Petenwell Lake, Yellow River, Big Roche a Cri., and Klien Creek. It has a surface area of 16,640 acres (67.3 km2) and its depth varies from 8–20 ft (2.4–6.1 m) in most places, with area in the old river beds reaching as deep as 35 ft (11 m).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Invasive species in the United States</span>

Invasive species are a significant threat to many native habitats and species of the United States and a significant cost to agriculture, forestry, and recreation. The term "invasive species" can refer to introduced/naturalized species, feral species, or introduced diseases. Some introduced species, such as the dandelion, do not cause significant economic or ecologic damage and are not widely considered as invasive. Economic damages associated with invasive species' effects and control costs are estimated at $120 billion per year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Invasive Species Act</span>

The National Invasive Species Act (NISA) is a United States federal law intended to prevent invasive species from entering inland waters through ballast water carried by ships. NISA reauthorized and amended a previous measure, the Non-indigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990 (NANPCA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Water in Michigan</span> Water supply and distribution in the U.S. state of Michigan

Michigan has about 242 streams with a combined length of 36,350 miles (58,500 km) and about 11,000 lakes and ponds. Michigan borders four of the five Great Lakes and is a signatory to the Great Lakes Compact. The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality is responsible for the management of Michigan's water resources.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Asian carp in North America</span> Invasive species

Asian carp, an invasive species species of fish introduced into North America, pose a major threat to the ecology, environment, economy, and way of life in the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes region of the United States and Canada. The term refers to a group of cyprinid fish species originally native to East Asia, of which include several are known to be invasive in the United States, and represent the most urgent potential danger to the ecology of the Great Lakes.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, Mich. § 324.3301 (1994). http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(q2vld4p2rvssxkratijvtmhs))/printDocument.aspx?objectName=mcl-Act-451-of-1994&version=txt. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  2. ↑ "Michigan Conservation Summary". LandScope America. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  3. ↑ "Invasive Species". Michigan Sea Grant. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  4. ↑ World Health Organization (2011). Guide to Ship Sanitation 3rd edition. p. 111. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  5. ↑ "Great Lakes Aquatic Invasive Species". The Nature Conservancy. The Nature Conservancy. Retrieved 15 May 2023.
  6. ↑ Rosaen, Alex L.; Grover, Erin A.; Spencer, Colby W.; Anderson, Patrick L. (2016). The Costs of Aquatic Invasive Species to Great Lakes States. Anderson Economic Group LLC. p. 4. https://www.andersoneconomicgroup.com/Portals/0/upload/AEG%20-%20AIS%20Impact_%209-20-2016%20Public%20new.pdf
  7. ↑ "Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990". www.fws.gov. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
  8. ↑ "Shoreline Mileage Of the United States", NOAA Office for Coastal Management, Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  9. ↑ "Prohibited and Restricted Species". www.michigan.gov. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  10. ↑ "The Natural Resources Commission Prohibited and Restricted Aquatic Invasive Species Order Amendment 1 of 2014", https://www.michigan.gov/documents/dnr/InvSpcOrders_480277_7.pdf?20150504140945
  11. ↑ "Commission of Agriculture and Rural Development Invasive Species Order No. 1 of 2015", https://www.michigan.gov/documents/mdard/Commission_Water_Soldier_Order-Final_1_21_15_479805_7.pdf Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  12. ↑ "Department of Natural Resources Invasive Species Order Amendment No. 1 of 2020", https://www.michigan.gov/documents/invasives/Invasive_Species_Order_Amendment_1_of_2020_690683_7.pdf. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  13. ↑ "Boating laws - stop aquatic hitchhikers". www.michigan.gov. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  14. ↑ Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, Mich. § 324.41325 (2019). http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(dol44qjsrrieya45sgjptg45))/documents/mcl/pdf/mcl-451-1994-III-2-1-WILDLIFE-CONSERVATION-413.pdf Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  15. ↑ "About Us". Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers!. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  16. ↑ "Bait and fish release laws". www.michigan.gov. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
  17. 1 2 "Selling live non-native aquatic organisms in Michigan". www.michigan.gov. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
  18. ↑ "Ships - ballast water management practices". www.michigan.gov. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
  19. ↑ "Aquatic Invasive Species State Management Plan". www.michigan.gov. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
  20. ↑ "Status and strategies for established aquatic invasives". www.michigan.gov. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
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