Montana Code 80-7-1002. Legislative findings and purpose
80-7-1002. Legislative findings and purpose. (1) The legislature finds that:
Terms Used In Montana Code 80-7-1002
- Equipment: means an implement or machinery that has been wholly or partially immersed in surface waters, including but not limited to boat lifts, trailers transporting vessels, floating docks, pilings, dredge pipes, and buoys. See Montana Code 80-7-1003
- Invasive species: means , upon the mutual agreement of the directors of the departments, a nonnative, aquatic species that has caused, is causing, or is likely to cause harm to the economy, environment, recreational opportunities, or human health. See Montana Code 80-7-1003
- State: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the territories. See Montana Code 1-1-201
(a)invasive species can wreak damage on the economy, environment, recreational opportunities, and human health in Montana;
(b)there is reason to be concerned about the further introduction, importation, and infestation of Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) and the introduction, importation, and infestation of additional invasive species in Montana, such as the zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) and the quagga mussel (Dreissena bugensis), that could cause catastrophic damage to not only our waterways, rivers, and lakes, our water storage, delivery, and irrigation systems, our hydroelectric power structures and systems, and our aquatic ecosystems, but also to the entire state economy;
(c)as infestations of threatening invasive species move ever closer to Montana’s borders, protecting Montana against these species is of utmost importance to the state economy, environment, recreational opportunities, and human health for the benefit of all Montanans;
(d)preventing the introduction, importation, and infestation of invasive species is the most effective and least costly strategy for combating invasive species that, once established, are often difficult to control or eradicate;
(e)the use of check stations, at which vessels and equipment may be inspected for the presence of invasive species and cleaned if an invasive species is detected, is an effective way to prevent the introduction, importation, and infestation of invasive species that are easily transferred from infested areas to uninfested areas when proper precautions are not taken; and
(f)preventing the introduction, importation, and infestation of invasive species is best accomplished through coordinated educational and management activities.
(2)The purpose of this part is to establish a mechanism for Montana to take concerted action to detect, control, and manage invasive species, including preventing further introduction, importation, and infestation, by educating the public about the threat of these species, coordinating public and private efforts and expertise to combat these species, and authorizing the use of check stations to prevent the movement of invasive species from infested areas to uninfested areas to protect the state’s economy, environment, recreational opportunities, and human health for the benefit of all Montanans.