CHAPTER 43

H.P. 487 - L.D. 667

Resolve, Regarding Nonnative Invasive Marine Species

Sec. 1. Nonnative invasive marine species. Resolved: That the State and all appropriate agencies of State Government shall participate in the development of state and regional strategies to prevent introduction of nonnative invasive marine species into the coastal waters of the State and the greater Gulf of Maine ecosystem and to work to eliminate or mitigate the negative impact of the nonnative invasive marine species where introduced. All appropriate state agencies involved with managing or studying Maine's marine environment, its harvests and its related commerce are encouraged to prevent the introduction of nonnative invasive marine species and to work to eliminate or mitigate their negative impacts by continuing to develop science-based strategies and promoting collaborative problem solving with other appropriate agencies and governments, as determined appropriate by the Commissioner of Environmental Protection and the Commissioner of Marine Resources; and be it further

Sec. 2. Report. Resolved: That the Department of Marine Resources in consultation with the Department of Environmental Protection shall report to the Joint Standing Committee on Natural Resources and the Joint Standing Committee on Marine Resources by February 1, 2006 concerning the nature and extent of the problem of nonnative invasive marine species in Maine waters. The departments shall submit a brief summary of issues and efforts to control nonnative invasive marine species in the New England area, a description of the existing legal framework for