The Adirondack Park Agency (APA) approved two general permits to advance New York State’s goal to combat invasive species in the Adirondack Park, according to APA Chairwoman Lani Ulrich.
The general permits are intended to assure that qualified invasive species management organizations have the ability to respond quickly to invasive species infestations.
General Permits 2015G-1 and 2014G-1A authorize a rapid response to both aquatic and terrestrial invasive species.
Responders are required to be qualified and trained.
These general permits approve eradication efforts both on a park-wide scale as well as for individual waterbodies or specific locations.
Chairwoman Ulrich commended Governor Cuomo for his leadership.
“[APA] continues to streamline our permitting process to ensure we effectively respond to the threat of invasive species. These general permits will enable those on the front line to respond immediately to new infestations. Fast action by qualified personnel is critical to combat aggressive invasive species.”
General Permit 2014G-1A authorizes the New York State Department of Transportation, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the Adirondack Chapter of the Nature Conservancy, the Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program, and the Regional Inlet Invasive Plant Program to conduct management of terrestrial invasive plant species without the need to seek a permit from the APA for each specific project.
In addition, this permit allows the APA Deputy Director for Regulatory Programs to certify new users once trained and determined to be qualified.
Best management practices will be strictly followed to maximize eradication efforts, while minimizing impacts to native species.
Brendan Quirion, Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program (APIPP) coordinator said he appreciates the assistance provided by APA through these new permits.
“The ability to react quickly to newly discovered outbreaks increases the likelihood of successful eradication,” he said.
General Permit 2015G-1 authorizes qualified agencies, lake associations/organizations, local municipalities, certified lake managers, and experienced lake managers approved by the APA to use benthic barriers and hand harvesting techniques to control aquatic invasive species.
As part of the General Permit conditions, each authorized entity will be required to submit annual reports to the APA documenting their activity.
Invasive species are non-native species that can cause harm to the environment, the economy or to human health.
They are one of the greatest threats to New York State’s biodiversity.
Invasives cause or contribute to habitat degradation, loss of native fish, wildlife and plant species and the loss of recreational opportunities and related tourism income.
The Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program’s “The Actual and Potential Economic Impact of Invasive Species on the Adirondack Park: A Preliminary Assessment” determined that the spread of just eight high risk invasive species, including four aquatic invasive species, could result in an annual loss of $48 to $53 million to the tourism, agriculture, and forestry sectors in the Adirondack Park.
In addition, the study indicated that long-term losses of $420 to $840 million to lake shore property values were highly possible.
