New Law Promises Stricter Control of Invasive Species

A new law signed yesterday will give the Department of Environmental Conservation and the Department of Agriculture and Markets the tools to protect the state’s ecology from the harm caused by invasive species that are destructive to habitat and cause millions of dollars in damages, impacting NY’s economy.

The law will give the DEC and the Ag department the authority to actively regulate the sale, purchase, possession, introduction, import and transportation of invasive species and establish penalties for violators.

The law takes effect in 180 days.