BILL NUMBER: S7852

SPONSOR: MAY
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to
including the Asian longhorned tick and the lone star tick on the inva-
sive species list

 
PURPOSE:

The purpose of this bill is to officially recognize and begin to address
the growing and serious threat to public and environmental health that
tickborne diseases, especially those contracted from the invasive Asian
longhorned and lone star tick species, cause New Yorkers and other
animal species which are their host.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

The bill adds a new section 9-1713 to the environmental conservation law
to add the Asian longhorned tick and the lone star tick to the state
invasive species list and include both species in the comprehensive plan
              

for invasive species management, with the goal of eliminating or other-
wise controlling the species at project sites funded or regulated by the
state. Additionally, such management practices shall endeavor to restore
invaded ecosystems and include information on both tick species on
statewide databases and clearinghouses in the state, as well as from
nearby states, the federal government, and Canada.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

New Yorkers are increasingly affected by the dangerous diseases carried
and transferred by tick species, yet there is little being done to
effectively fund research and manage efforts to control the newest tick
species invading our state. Ticks are everywhere, yet they can easily go
unnoticed until the signs of a bite and ensuing symptoms of disease
present themselves. There are at least 2 species which historically were
not found in the state but which have now been identified and whose
range is spreading rapidly- the Asian Longhorned tick and the Lone Star
tick. Most New Yorkers are aware that certain ticks can infect a person
with Lyme disease, but there are equally dangerous and even deadly
infections also caused by the bite of the Asian longhorn tick and the
lone star tick, namely, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Ehrlichiosis,
respectively. Without proper antibiotic treatment soon after infection
these diseases can be deadly.

Adding the Asian Longhorned tick and Lone Star tick to the list of inva-
sive species recognizes that changes in our climate and environment have
contributed to their expanded range and their invasiveness. This inter-
connection between our changing environment and the public health risk
posed by ticks affirms the appropriate use of invasive species grant
funding for managing the spread of ticks. Controlling ticks happens in
our environment; controlling tickbome disease happens through public
health education and medicine. Both are needed.

The Asian Longhomed tick and Lone Star tick are invasively making their
way to all regions of the state and must be managed by the state through
a comprehensive approach across environmental and health agencies.
Recognizing and designating these newest species as invasive will open
new environmental funding streams for the critical work needed to manage
and control their spread. Each year millions of dollars are granted for
the purpose of targeted management and control of those species on the
state's Invasive Species List. Making the work of controlling our
state's newest tick species eligible for funding through this Invasive
Species Grant Program will help save lives and control the spread of the
newest tick arrivals in our environment.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New bill

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
90 days after enactment