The director, to prevent and control aquatic nuisance species, shall:

Terms Used In North Dakota Code 20.1-17-01

  • Aquatic nuisance species: means any nonindigenous, obligate aquatic species of plant or animal which is injurious to native and desirable aquatic species or which has a negative effect on aquatic habitats, environment, or the economy of the state. See North Dakota Code 20.1-01-02
  • Department: means the game and fish department. See North Dakota Code 20.1-01-02
  • Director: means the director of the department. See North Dakota Code 20.1-01-02
  • Rule: includes regulation. See North Dakota Code 1-01-49
  • Species: includes any subspecies of wildlife and any other group of wildlife of the same species or smaller taxa in common spatial arrangement that interbreed when mature. See North Dakota Code 20.1-01-02
  • State: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the territories. See North Dakota Code 1-01-49

1.    Prepare a statewide management plan for aquatic nuisance species to be approved by the governor.

2.    Organize an aquatic nuisance species committee, as provided for in the statewide management plan, composed of the director or the director’s designee; representatives of the agriculture commissioner, state water commission, parks and recreation department, department of environmental quality, and tourism division; up to five private entities or individuals; and a representative of tribal entities. The director or the director’s designee is the chairman of the aquatic nuisance species committee.

3.    Develop and adopt the state’s list of aquatic nuisance species after consulting with the aquatic nuisance species committee. The list must be updated annually.

4.    Provide for a permitting system to import listed aquatic nuisance species into or move those species within the state.

5.    Develop rules to prevent the movement of aquatic nuisance species into or within the state. In addition to requirements under chapter 28-32, the department shall conduct a cost-benefit analysis for any rule proposed for adoption under this chapter.

6.    Conduct aquatic nuisance species education and prevention efforts.

7.    Provide for the partnership of the federal government, state agencies, and private or public organizations to fund aquatic nuisance species prevention efforts.