By Nick Durham

Blog Post 2

This blog post will cover the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Chapter NR 40 Invasive Species Rule. NR 40 dates back to 2001, when the Wisconsin state legislature voted to create a program to control the unending tide of disruptive invasive species. The rule criminalizes the possession, transportation and introduction of explicitly stated invasive species in the state of Wisconsin. The list of prohibited invasive species (which also includes aquatic species) includes the fungus responsible for white nose syndrome in bats, wild boar, feral domestic pigs, parrots and parakeets, and an immense list of invasive plant species.

A map depicting the range of invasive Japanese knotweed by county in Wisconsin. All green counties have confirmed sightings. (source: http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/Invasives/images/DistMaps/Polygonum_cuspidatum_259x278.jpg)

 The stated goal of NR 40 is to combat the spread of assorted invasive species throughout Wisconsin. WIDNR has been enforcing NR 40 through the use of a so-called "stepped enforcement" program, which involves public education sessions, voluntary compliance, and also direct enforcement through law enforcement and Department officials. Everyone is required to comply with the rule including businesses and NGO's. Citizens are required to take precautions to prevent the spread of invasive species, most commonly prudently inspecting vehicles and watercraft for the presence of hitchhiking lifeforms and effecting their removal. If an organization or individual is found in violation of NR 40, they will be first asked to take removal measures on their own. If individual action is not taken, the DNR will take action with a warrant and effect control measures, of which the guilty party is responsible for all costs.

Conservation officers make use of trained dogs to detect the presence of zebra mussels and other invasive species hitchhiking on watercraft. (source: http://stmedia.startribune.com/images/5504INVASIVE071114.JPG)

NR 40 differentiates between prohibited and restricted invasive species. Prohibited invasive species are species that have not yet spread into Wisconsin and have the potential to cause environmental/economic harm. Transportation, possession, transference and introduction of prohibited species is outlawed. Restricted species on the other hand are invasive species that already have a heavy presence in Wisconsin and have a low likelihood of being eradicated. Transport, transference and introduction are still tightly controlled, but possession is not illegal with the exception of fish or crayfish. 

Stations like this aid in the enforcement of laws like NR 40. (Source: http://www.nonaiswa.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/July-2010-Plants-Checkpoint-MT-010.jpg)

Sources:

 http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/invasives/classification.html

http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/invasives/documents/NR40GuideGeneral.pdf