It’s been a long time since the Wisconsin Invasive and Prohibited Weed rules have undergone a major revision.  That’s not to say there hasn’t been much discussion and debate over making changes.  It now appears there will be action and the public is being asked to comment.  The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is developing rules to address invasive species in Wisconsin, including invasive terrestrial and aquatic plants.  The proposed rules will establish a classification and regulatory system for invasive species. Specifically the rules will set restrictions on actions such as sales, transporting and planting or releasing certain species to the wild without a permit and allow the DNR to work with local units of government and landowners to quickly contain new infestations of species likely to become problematic.  Currently the proposed rule suggests specific species be ranked in one of the following categories (note:  there are other species in the proposed categories than just those listed in the examples): 

Prohibited - means those invasive species that are not currently found in Wisconsin, with the exception of small pioneer stands of terrestrial plants and aquatic species that are isolated to a specific watershed in the state or the Great Lakes, but which, if introduced into the state, are likely to survive and spread, potentially causing significant environmental or economic harm or harm to human health.

Examples:  Hill mustard, Poison hemlock, Giant hogweed, Perennial pepperweed, and Giant knotweed

Restricted - means those invasive species that are already established in the state and cause or have the potential to cause significant environmental or economic harm or harm to human health and includes established nonnative fish and crayfish, fish in the aquaculture trade, fish in the aquarium trade, and non-viable fish species.

Examples:  Garlic mustard, Musk thistle, Spotted knapweed, Canada thistle, Common teasel, Russian olive, Leafy spurge, Wild parsnip, Multiflora rose, and Purple loosestrife.

Caution - means those species that cannot be placed in other categories such as prohibited, restricted, or non-restricted because they are not currently found in the state and their potential for invasiveness in Wisconsin is unknown. 

Non-restricted - means are those species that may have some beneficial uses or negative impacts on the environment but are already integrated into Wisconsin's ecosystems so that control or eradication is not practical or feasible.

Examples:  Hoary alyssum, Scotch pine 

Pending - means species that we are not assessing for classification at this time, but plan to in future rule revisions.

Example:  Reed canarygrass 

        The DNR will hold a series of public hearings around the state in August to inform citizens of the proposed rules.  

- To access the official public hearing site for this rule, go to https://apps.dhfs.state.wi.us/admrules/public/Rmo?nRmoId=505.  

- To access the DNR's website with more detailed information on the rule, go to http://dnr.wi.gov/invasives/classification/ 

- If you choose to comment via email, please address it to: DNRNR40Comments@wisconsin.gov