Do We Need A Local Regulation?
Invasive Species Policy Decision Tree
This tool assumes a local entity has determined that an invasive species poses significant environmental, economic, or social damage risk.
Can the invasive species risk (species and/or pathway) be adequately addressed without regulation?
YES
NO
There is no need to create a local regulation.
Do any federal, or state, laws exist that address the species, or pathway?
YES
NO
Would the creation of a regulation at the local level support state/federal laws and strengthen the ability of a local government to address the invasive species, or pathway?
Are there existing local regulations (e.g., codes, statutes) to address the invasive species, or pathway?
YES
Are the existing local regulations sufficient to fully address the invasive species, or pathway?
There is no need to create an additional regulation.
Convene local jurisdictions and state agencies to a) define regulation gaps, or b) the potential for local regulations that support state regulations and more fully address the invasive species, or pathway. Develop local regulations that address gaps and/or create redundancies with state regulations.
YES
There is no need to create a local regulation.
Do We Need A Local Regulation?
Invasive Species Policy Decision Tree
This tool assumes a local entity has determined that an invasive species poses significant environmental, economic, or social damage risk.
Can the invasive species risk (species and/or pathway) be adequately addressed without regulation?
YES
NO
There is no need to create a local regulation.
Do any federal, or state, laws exist that address the species, or pathway?
YES
NO
Would the creation of a regulation at the local level support state/federal laws and strengthen the ability of a local government to address the invasive species, or pathway?
Are there existing local regulations (e.g., codes, statutes) to address the invasive species, or pathway?
YES
Are the existing local regulations sufficient to fully address the invasive species, or pathway?
There is no need to create an additional regulation.
Convene local jurisdictions and state agencies to a) define regulation gaps, or b) the potential for local regulations that support state regulations and more fully address the invasive species, or pathway. Develop local regulations that address gaps and/or create redundancies with state regulations.
YES
There is no need to create a local regulation.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
PATHWAYS OF INTRODUCTION
The primary challenge associated with invasive species ecology is management of introduction vectors. The figure below illustrates the framework used to describe invasive species pathways and threats, including the primary pathways of introduction as well as the techniques commonly used to manage the threats, and the priorities for protection from threats. The framework includes 10 primary pathways of introduction: Air transportation/cargo, water transportation, land transportation, items used in shipping, travel tourism/relocation, plant pathways-plant trade, food pathways, non-food animal pathways, non-food animal, other aquatic pathways, natural spread, and ecosystem disturbances.
Legend
AI = Aquatic invertebrates (and larval stages)
ADP = Animal disease pathogens and parasites
AP = Aquatic plants
HFO = Hull-fouling organisms
IN = Insects
INV = Terrestrial, non-insect invertebrates
MBV = Microbes, bacteria, and viruses
PDP = Plant disease pathogens
PS = Terrestrial plants and seeds
V = Vertebrates