Senator Marcellino Announces Meeting Of Invasive Species Task Force

Senator Carl L. Marcellino (R-Syosset), Chairman of the Senate Environmental Conservation Committee announced today that the New York State Invasive Species Task Force is holding a public review session on Tuesday, August 2, 2005, from 7 pm to 9 pm at the Carriage House, Planting Fields Arboretum, Planting Fields Road, Oyster Bay. The public is encouraged to attend.

As a threat to our biodiversity, invasive species have been judged second only to habitat loss. Invasive species come from all around the world and the rate of invasion is increasing with the increase in international trade. In response to this growing problem, in 2003, Senator Marcellino sponsored legislation that created the New York State Invasive Species Task Force which is charged with examining the factors surrounding the introduction of invasive species and the impacts they have on the State.

Senator Marcellino said, "The Invasive Species Special Task Force brought together the right minds to create a statewide approach to this serious threat to our land and water ecosystems. The findings will allow New York to further protect the State's natural resources and will reinforce and strengthen the State’s ongoing efforts to prevent invasive, non-native species from harming our environment, our economy and our communities."

Currently, the New York State Departments of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Agriculture and Markets are seeking public comment on the Draft Report of the Task Force. It describes problems associated with invasive plants and animals and makes recommendations about how New York can more effectively combat this growing and expensive threat.

The Draft Report is available in full on the web at www.dec.state.ny.us. For those without access to the web, copies of the Draft Report can be obtained by calling DEC at 518-402-8924.

The task force is to provide recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature by November 2005.