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Related Info Endangered Species Wetlands Maps and Spatial Information DEP Store Related Organizations CT Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) National Invasives Species Information Center Invasivespecies.gov

Please note that the current policy is undergoing a revision to include recent changes.

Protecting native plant species and the habitats in which they occur is an objective of the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (the Department). Many non-native plants have been introduced intentionally or accidentally, with most having no deleterious effects on agricultural lands, waterways, wetlands, or conservation areas. Some non-native plants, however, exhibit an aggressive growth habit and can out-compete and displace native species. These are referred to as invasive. Invasive plants, also called harmful or noxious weeds, are a serious problem in Connecticut and elsewhere, reducing agricultural production, impairing recreation, and causing the loss of biological diversity. Significant funds are invested annually in the control of invasive species, both by the citizens and municipalities in Connecticut, and by State and Federal agencies.

Non-native invasive species that have a detrimental impact to native plants, wildlife, or their habitats will be controlled, reduced, or removed from lands and waters managed by the Department whenever practical. The Department will provide technical assistance to private landowners seeking to manage non-native invasive species whenever possible. The Department may offer other forms of assistance, such as partnerships, cost sharing, and/or personnel, whenever practical.

Identification and Education

For these reasons, it is the policy of the Department to control and prevent the spread and introduction of non-native invasive species. This policy applies only to those species listed by the Department as non-native invasive plants. 

Policy Implementation

This policy is intended to provide consistent guidance to the Department for any activities that could introduce or cause the spread of invasive species in the State. It is also intended to form a basis for making Department recommendations regarding actions that are proposed by others where DEP property is not involved. 

Scope

• Any action taken or authorized by the Department must consider and minimize, to the extent practical, the detrimental effects caused by the introduction of non-native invasive species. 
• Permitted research, such as the growing of non-native invasive species for scientific study and the introduction of biological measures to control these species, is not covered by this policy. 
• This policy supplements any other policy and program guidelines that may exist. 

Control Measures

• Intentionally planting or introducing non-native invasive species in State Forests, Parks, Wildlife Management Areas, or other lands and waters within the control of the Department is prohibited. 
• Department activities involving soil or vegetation disturbances shall consider and, to the extent practical, minimize the spread of non-native invasive populations either within or adjacent to an area to be modified. For these, best management practices that minimize site disturbance will be used. Upon request, the Natural Resources Center will provide guidance to Department Divisions on the spread and control of non-native invasive species. 
• The Department shall stress the cumulative effect of non-native invasive plant species and employ and recommend the use of native and non-invasive plants, whenever practical, in all permits, authorizations, and funded activities that require plantings, sedimentation and erosion control measures, or other site modifications. 
• Non-native invasive species that have a detrimental impact to native plants, wildlife, or their habitats will be controlled, reduced, or removed from lands and waters managed by the Department whenever practical. The Department will provide technical assistance to private landowners seeking to manage non-native invasive species whenever possible. The Department may offer other forms of assistance, such as partnerships, cost sharing, and/or personnel, whenever practical. 

Identification and Education

• The Department shall prepare and distribute brochures, posters, and other material to educate the public about: 1) the adverse impacts of introducing and causing the spread of invasive species, 2) identification of such species, and, 3) ways to reduce and control such species. Such information, including catalogs listing the availability of substitute native species for landscaping, site reclamation, and other purposes shall be available through the Environmental and Geographic Information Center. 
• The Department shall maintain a list of non-native invasive plant species. The list is attached to and made part of this policy. This list will be revised from time to time as additional information becomes available. 
• The Department shall assist and cooperate with other government or non-profit agencies in the enforcement of existing programs that regulate invasive species (e.g. APHIS, Federal Pulling Together Initiative, Connecticut River/Long Island Sound Invasive Plant Initiative, etc.), coordinate with the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station on non-native invasive species management and control, and develop more cost efficient and environmentally acceptable methods for controlling non-native invasive species. 

Dispute Resolution

Guidance on issues covered by the policy shall be sought from the Environmental and Geographic Information Center. Revisions to listing and disputes arising from the implementation of this policy shall be settled by the Commissioner, or his designee, following the review and recommendations of a committee composed of the Directors, or their designees, of the Department’s Divisions of Fisheries, Forestry, Inland Water Resources, Lakes Management Program, Long Island Sound Programs, Environmental and Geographic Information Center, Pesticides, State Parks, and Wildlife.

Effective Date November 13, 1998 by Arthur J. Rocque, Jr., Commissioner of Environmental Protection

Invasive Species