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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