Gregory+Niguidula+Non-inidgenous+Aquatic+Nuisance+Species+Act

//Non-Indigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act//. N.p., 1990. Web.

One of the more important pieces of federal legislation concerning invasive species is the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act (NANPCA). In 1990, this act was passed. Its main objectives were to limit introduction of “nonindigenous” aquatic species into American waters and begin research into the matter. The primary motivations, it seems, were the introductions of zebra mussels into the Great Lakes and the subsequent damages they caused. In its original form, the word “invasive” is not used in this document. Instead, the term “aquatic nuisance species” was chosen and defined as “a nonindigenous species that threatens the diversity or abundance of native species or the ecological stability of infested waters, or commercial, agricultural, aquacultural or recreational activities dependent on such waters.” Though using this definition is preferable to targeting all nonindigenous species, it still perpetuates the myth that native species are harmless in their native habitats. The actions put in motion by the Act included the creations of an Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force whose purpose was to conduct studies concerning the effects of aquatic nuisance species. The first among these was the ballast exchange study, one of the objectives of which was to identify areas where the dumping of ballast water laden with aquatic nuisance species would not cause environmental damage. The end goal was to use the areas identified as dumping areas for boats that may be carrying nuisance species. The second study was biological in nature and was intended to identify whether these species posed threats to the economy or ecology of the United States. Finally, the Task Force was to conduct a shipping study that determined the need for regulating ships entering United States water and the feasibility of implementing control measures at the regional and national levels. Additionally, the Act assigns the responsibility of issuing regulations regarding nuisance species introductions through ballast water and the responsibility of Zebra mussel management research and technology development to the Corps of Engineers (Non-Indigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act).

Link to original, unamended version of the Act: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/STATUTE-104/pdf/STATUTE-104-Pg4761.pdf