Legislation

2022

"An Act Establishing an Office of Aquatic Invasive Species"

Charges of the Office of Aquatic Invasive Species:

1. Coordinate research efforts in the state associated with AIS control and eradication to reduce duplication of efforts and costs.
2. Serve as a repository for statewide data on the health of rivers, lakes, and ponds in relation to the presence of AIS.
3. Regularly survey the health and ecological viability of the state waterways in relation to the presence and threat of AIS.
4. Educate the public about aquatic invasive plants and steps the public can take to reduce the plants’ impact.
5. Advise municipalities on management of AIS.
6. Be a liaison among organizations and state agencies (such as DEEP, Department of Agriculture, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Connecticut Federation of Lakes and Ponds Associations, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, municipal inland wetlands commissions, Connecticut River Conservancy, and councils of governments) for AIS control and eradication issues.
7. Coordinate with the Invasive Plants Council.

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.