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Noxious weeds

I know this has been somewhat discussed in the past but I thought some
of you would be interested in this information. In the last few months I
had 2 people from the USDA APHIS contact me via email because I have
information about salvinia on my web site. I'm copying the email here
because I feel it's relevant to many on the list. Anyway, take it as you
may. I personally have mixed feelings, but I did post their list on my
site and I sure won't be selling or shipping any of the plants I have on
their list. I have to say I do feel uncomfortable with the big brother
like way they seem to be handling this, but I have to say the individual
people I've emailed in the department have been courteous.

Rhonda
http://naturalaquariums.com


> Subject: Salvinia
>    Date:  Tue, 12 Sep 2000 10:17:33 -0400
>    From: Polly P Lehtonen <Polly.P.Lehtonen at usda_gov>
>      To: gupp at naturalaquariums_com
> 
> 
> Dear Rhonda,
> 
> Concerned stakeholders have alerted us to the listing of  "water velvet"
> (Salvinia auriculata) on your web site.  The giant salvinias are listed
> federal noxious weeds, which may not be imported or moved interstate
> without a federal noxious weed permit.
> 
> We are extremely concerned about the availability of the Salvinia
> auriculata complex in the aquatic plant trade.  Giant salvinia is escaping
> into the environment, causing serious problems in Texas, Louisiana, and
> other southern states.  Control and eradication programs will be expensive.
> Because of the high risk of escape into waterways,  the Plant Protection
> and Quarantine Permit Unit does not issue permits for movement of members
> of the Salvinia auriculata complex other than for research in containment
> facilities.  The state regulatory official in the state of destination must
> concur with permit issuance, and the containment facility is subject to
> inspection.  
> 
> Congress recently passed the Plant Protection Act, which increased the
> penalties for knowing violations (such as moving a federal noxious weed
> without a permit.) Civil penalties range from $1,000 to $250,000 per
> violation.
> 
> You could perform a valuable service by discouraging visitors to your
> website from purchasing federal noxious weeds.  The complete list of
> aquatic plants on the federal noxious weed list are :
> 
> Azolla pinnata (Azollaceae) (mosquito fern, water velvet) 
> Caulerpa taxifolia (Caulerpaceae)(Mediterranean clone of caulerpa) 
> Eichhornia azurea (Ponterderiaceae) (anchored waterhyacinth) 
> Hydrilla verticillata (Hydrocharitaceae) (hydrilla) 
> Hygrophila polysperma (Acanthaceae) (Miramar weed) 
> Ipomoea aquatica (Convolvulaceae) (Chinese waterspinach) 
> Lagarosiphon major (Hydrocharitaceae) (Oxygen weed) 
> Limnophila sessiliflora (Scrophulariaceae) (ambulia) 
> Melaleuca quinquenervia (Myrtaceae) (melaleuca) 
> Monochoria hastata (Pontederiaceae) (monochoria) 
> Monochoria vaginalis (Pontederiaceae) (pickerel weed) 
> Ottelia alismoides (Hydrocharitaceae) (duck-lettuce) 
> Sagittaria sagittifolia (Alismataceae) (arrowhead) 
> Salvinia spp. (Salviniaceae) (giant salvinias) 
> Solanum tampicense (Solanaceae)(wetland nightshade) 
> Sparganium erectum (Sparganiaceae) (exotic bur-reed)
> 
> We appreciate your help in spreading the word about prohibited aquatic
> species.  Congratulations on your new adorable baby!
> 
> Sincerely,
> 
> 
> Polly P. Lehtonen
> Botanist
> Permits and Risk Assessment
> USDA - APHIS - Plant  Protection and Quarantine