80-7-1002. Legislative findings and purpose. (1) The legislature finds that:

(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.

History: En. Sec. 2, Ch. 429, L. 2009; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 378, L. 2011; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 354, L. 2013.