MDA Proposes Regulations Affecting the Identification of Invasive Plants

The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) has proposed regulations that would establish a process for determining if a plant qualifies as a Tier 1 or Tier 2 invasive plant in the state by using a U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Weed Risk Assessment protocol, and considering special Maryland circumstances. MDA is accepting public comment on the proposed regulations through Dec. 17.
The regulations were recommended by the Invasive Plant Advisory Committee which was created by statute last year to develop a science-based risk assessment protocol for determining which plants are to be considered invasive in Maryland and determining whether they are Tier 1 or Tier 2 invaders. These regulations only affect the risk assessment tool that will be used to identify and rank invasive plants; plants will be assessed in the coming year and lists established through the regulatory process.

The regulations appear in the Nov. 16 issue of the Maryland Register. To read the regulations. To view the enabling legislation.

Public comments should be sent by Dec. 17 to Carol Holko, MDA Assistant Secretary for Plant Industries and Pest Management, 50 Harry S. Truman Parkway, Annapolis, MD 21401. Or by email to [email protected]