Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 39, September 25, 2024
(a) A person
may possess, with the intent to sell, import, purchase, transport or introduce,
a prohibited invasive species if the person has been issued a permit by the
department for research, education, or other approved activity, under this
Part.
(b) A person may only
introduce a regulated invasive species into a free-living state if the person
is issued a permit under this section expressly authorizing such
introduction.
(c)
Written
application required.
(1) Applications
for permits under this chapter shall be submitted in writing to the department
on forms available from the department. The application shall include:
(i) the name and quantity or number of
invasive species specimens for which a permit is sought;
(ii) whether the permit is sought for
research, education, or other activity;
(iii) a description of other relevant
permits, approvals or licenses of the applicant;
(iv) the applicant's purpose or reason for
seeking the permit; and
(v) other
relevant information, including control and disposal measures.
(2) The department may request
additional information including, but not limited to: location or storage area
of the invasive species, or how it will be kept or stored to prevent spreading
into the wild, how it will be disseminated, and how it will be destroyed once
the applicant is done using them.
(3) The department shall act on complete
permit applications within 45 days following receipt of the
application.
(d)
Approval criteria.
The department shall review permit applications to
determine whether all of the following criteria are met.
(1) The applicant is knowledgeable in the
proper handling, control, and disposal of the invasive species.
(2) The applicant has an adequate site or
facility for containment of the invasive species.
(3) The applicant has demonstrated to the
department's satisfaction that permitted activities will not cause significant
ecologic or economic harm or harm to human health.
(4) The applicant has complied with the
conditions of any previous department permits issued under this
Chapter.
(5) The department accepts
proposed disposal methods and protocols which will render the invasive species
non-viable and will prevent the introduction and spread of the invasive
species.
(e)
Issuance and conditions.
(1) If
the department determines that there is significant public interest, it may
hold a public information hearing on a permit application before acting on the
application.
(2) An applicant
meeting the approval criteria may be issued a permit subject to conditions the
department considers reasonable.
(f)
Records and reporting.
(1) Each permittee shall keep a current,
correct and complete record of all permit activities as required by the
department, on forms available from the department. Permit records may be
inspected and copied by the department at any time. Copies of records shall be
provided to the department upon request.
(g)
Permit transfer;
alterations.
(1) Unless expressly
provided by the terms of the permit or by subsequent written approval of the
department, permits issued under this Part are not transferable. No person
shall alter or deface a permit issued under this Part.
(h)
Other permits or approvals.
(1) A person who holds a permit or approval
issued by the department under another regulation or a statute, other than a
license or permit or order issued by the department pursuant to section 9-1709 of the Environmental Conservation
Law or pursuant to the provisions of this Part, is not required to hold a
permit under this Part for disposal, control, research or education involving a
prohibited or regulated invasive species if the department determines that the
following apply:
(i) the permit or approval
expressly authorizes the disposal, control, research or education activity
involving a prohibited or regulated invasive species;
(ii) the permit or approval includes legally
enforceable requirements that are at least equivalent to those that would be
contained in a permit issued by the department under this Part; and
(iii) the person is not in violation of the
permit or approval.