The Lacey Act 1900

Slide 1:The Lacey Act 1900

How it Pertains to Invasive Species

Slide 2:The Basics

Lacey Act: one provision of this act authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to adopt measures to aid in restoring game and other birds in parts of the U.S. where they have become scarce or extinct and to regulate the introduction of birds and animals in areas where they had not existed.

Slide 3:History

The Lacey Act was first introduced by Iowa Congressman John Lacey in the House of Representatives in the spring of 1900. It was signed into law by President William McKinley on May 25, 1900. The original Act was directed more at the preservation of game and wild birds by making it a federal crime to poach game in one state with the purpose of selling the bounty in another. This type of act is generally referred to as an “Interstate Commerce Act”.

Slide 4:History Cont’d

It was also concerned with the potential problems of the introduction of non-native, or exotic species of birds and animals into native ecosystems. Finally, it sought to buttress state laws already in existence for the protection of game and birds.

Slide 5:Invasive Species

Invasive Species: Cause declines in abundances of native species and undesirable changes in ecosystem function, as well as economic losses. Ex. Zebra mussels compete with other invertebrates and young fish for plankton, the primary food source for these groups. Zebra Mussel

Slide 6:Present Form of Lacey Act

Today, in it’s current form, the injurious wildlife provision of the Lacey Act regulates the importation and interstate transport of: Salmonids-A family of fishes, including salmon and trout. Live wild animals Live wild birds or their eggs Live or dead fish of any species on the list. Rainbow Trout Alaskan Salmon

Slide 7:Present Form of Lacey Act

Mollusks or their eggs. Mollusk: typically having a calcareous shell of one, two, or more pieces that wholly or partly enclose the soft, unsegmented body, including the chitons, snails, bivalves, squids, and octopuses. Zebra Mussel

Slide 8:Present Form of Lacey Act

Crustaceans or their eggs Crustaceans: Exoskeleton, a pair of often much modified appendages on each segment, and two pairs of antennae and that include the lobsters, shrimps, crabs, wood lice, water fleas, and barnacles. Shrimp Lobster Crab

Slide 9:Present Form of Lacey Act

Amphibians and their eggs. Amphibian: cold-blooded vertebrates (as frogs, toads, or salamanders) intermediate in many characters between fishes and reptiles and having gilled aquatic larvae and air-breathing adults Common Coqui Frog Barred Tiger Salamander Cane Toad

Slide 10:Present Form of Lacey Act

Reptiles and all their eggs. Reptiles: an animal that crawls or moves on its belly (as a snake) or on small short legs (as a lizard), generally has a 3-chambered heart (except crocodilians ), body covered with scales, many species lay eggs, includes 3 major groups- snakes and lizards, turtles, crocodilians Brown Tree Snake

Slide 11:Effects of Invasive Species

Once released or escaped into natural areas, many invasive species establish and spread quickly. Ex: Kudzu Vine from Japan. When left uncontrolled will eventually grow over almost any fixed object in its proximity including other vegetation. Kudzu, over a period of several years will kill trees by blocking the sunlight.

Slide 12:Effects of Invasive Species Cont’d

After establishment, most invasive species are extremely difficult and costly to eradicate, if eradication is even possible. Ex. Wild Boar

Slide 13:Lacey Act Faults

Legal tools to regulate invasive species exist at the federal, state, and local levels, but only at the federal level can species from other countries be denied entry into the U.S. Unless regulated under another federal law, any live wild animal or bird etc., which are not specifically listed in the injurious wildlife provision of the Lacey Act, may be imported. In some cases, these provisions are subject only to a declaration at customs and could lead to a permit for commercial shipments from the USFWS.

Slide 14:Discussion of Lacey Act Faults

Despite 107 years of regulatory authority to protect the countries native species and ecosystems from harmful non-indigenous animals, only 17 taxa are currently denied entry into the U.S. under the Lacey Act. The process of adding taxa to the list requires time and resources. Since the passage of the Lacey Act in 1900, only 3 taxa have been successfully added to the list by petition. Only one of the above 3, the brush tail opossum, has been added in the last decade, in a process that took 7 years.

Slide 15:Discussion Cont’d

The Lacey Act includes no emergency measures prior to official listing to prohibit the importation or interstate transport of organisms. Unless a species is listed, importation and transport across state lines is allowed Thus, a species may enter the country and legally be transported between states while it is being considered for listing.

Slide 16:Invasion Process

There are four steps to the invasion process: 1) Transport 2) Introduction 3) Establishment 4) Spread

Slide 17:Interruption of Steps by Lacey Act

The Lacey Act’s interruption of the invasion steps is not high. For the few taxa that have been prohibited entry, more than half were already present in the U.S. at the time of listing Spread occurred for most established species subsequent to listing. Because the Lacey Act does not authorize containment measures for listed and possession remains legal after listing, it probably does little to prevent the accidental release of a species

Slide 18:Current List of Injurious Wildlife Taxa

Fruit Bat Mongoose/Meerkat European Rabbit Pink Starling Indian Wild Hog Multimmate rat/mouse Dioch Java sparrow Red-whiskered bulbul Walking catfish Raccoon dog Mitten crab Brown tree snake Zebra mussel Brushtail opossum Snakehead fish Fruit Bat Red- Whiskered Bulubul Java Sparrow

Slide 19:Current List of Injurious Plant Taxa for West Virginia

Marijuana Plumeless thistle Curled thistle Musk thistle Autumn olive Opium poppy Kudzu Multiflora rose Johnsongrass Musk Thistle Multiflora Rose Opium Poppy

Slide 20:Recently Added Injurious Species

Constrictor Snakes Black carp Silver carp Largescale silver carp Boiga snakes, such as the Brown Tree Snake Bighead carp Silver Carp Constrictor Snake