Legislation

2022

"An Act Establishing an Office of Aquatic Invasive Species"

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 22-79a

Charges of the Office of Aquatic Invasive Species:

1. Coordinate research efforts throughout the state to reduce duplication of effort and costs
   associated with the control and eradication of aquatic invasive species.
2. Serve as a repository for state-wide data on the health of rivers, lakes and ponds in
   relation to the presence of aquatic invasive species.
3. Perform regular surveys on the health and ecological viability of waterways in the state
   in relation to the presence and threat of aquatic invasive species.
4. Educate the public about aquatic invasive plants and efforts the public can take to reduce
   the impact of such invasive species.
5. Advise municipalities on management of aquatic invasive species.
6. Serve as a liaison among organizations and state agencies for issues pertaining to the
   eradication and control of aquatic invasive species, including organizations and agencies
   such as the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, the Department of
   Agriculture, the United States Army Corps of Engineers, the Connecticut Federation of
   Lakes and Ponds Associations, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, municipal
   inland wetlands commissions, the Connecticut River Conservancy and councils of
   governments.
7. Coordinate with the Invasive Plants Council, established in section 22a-381 of the
   general statutes, when undertaking the efforts and responsibilities described in this section.

2009

Public Act 09-52: "An Act Implementing the recommendations of the Invasive Plant Council" removed the ban on water lettuce and allowed movement of invasive species for eradication, research or educational purposes.

2004

Public Act 04-203: "An Act Concerning Fines for Banned Invasive Plants" declares that "no person shall import, move, sell, purchase, possess, transplant, cultivate or distribute," plants on the banned plants list.

2003

Public Act 03-136: "An Act Concerning Invasive Plants" establishes the Connecticut Invasive Plants Council. It is comprised of scientists, the nursery and growers industry, nonprofits, and state agency representatives. The Council has produced a Connecticut invasive plant list, which includes the aquatic plants in the table below. The Council also recommended to the joint standing Environment Committee of the General Assembly a similar list of plants to be banned.