08-23-2007, 05:36 AM
Yellow flag iris ban may be lifted
[url "http://www.spinalcolumnonline.com/1editorialtablebody.lasso?-token.searchtype=authorroutine&-token.lpsearchstring=Josh%20Jackett&-nothing"]Josh Jackett[/url]![[Image: z.gif]](http://www.spinalcolumnonline.com/images/z.gif)
August 22, 2007 - Changes in the way state officials classify invasive species could lead to one species — yellow flag iris — being removal from the state's list of banned invasive species.
According to Ray Rustem, supervisor of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Wildlife Division Natural Heritage Unit, a process approved by the state's Invasive Species Advisory Council and supported by an executive order allows species to be recommended for removal from the list.
Rustem said so far yellow flag iris is the only species recommended for removal from a list of 16 species deemed invasive by state legislators in 2005.
Legislation at the time also recommended the creation of the state's Invasive Species Advisory Council. Both the council and the banned species list were signed into law in June 2005.
Yellow flag iris has been proposed for removal from the list because its spread in the state has only been reported to occur locally, and not to other locations.
The order to abolish the Invasive Species Advisory Council — Executive Order 14 of 2007 — which Gov. Jennifer Granholm signed Sunday, July 15, transferred the council's power, duties, and functions to the DNR.
Rustem said in addition to approving the new invasive species review process prior to being disbanded, the council also recommended some additional species for addition to the list.
He said DNR personnel and stakeholders throughout the state offered input on the new process prior to the council approving it.
"When we got together with our stakeholders, we wanted to make sure there was a process that took a look at anything that went on or came off (the list of banned species)," he said. "We wanted to have a stepped procedure that would ultimately end up in some kind of recommendation being made to the Legislature."
According to Rustem, one of the first things the DNR requires when recommending a plant goes on or comes off the list — whether the recommendation originates from an individual or an agency — is a proposal that can be evaluated.
Rustem said the DNR doesn't have any review procedure in place for the species currently on the list, but that doesn't mean other species won't be removed in the future.
"If anything comes up that a department becomes aware of, the departments themselves can start putting together a proposal and get the process started," he said.
According to the state's prohibited and restricted species listing request information guide, a proposal for listing or delisting must include the identity of the species, its taxonomic definition, scientific name, transgenic designation if applicable, common names, and cultivars if applicable.
Proposals must also be specific about the species' biological background, the likelihood of its introduction and spread, and the consequences of its introduction and spread, as well as references.
Under the process for listing or delisting a species, all proposals must be submitted to the DNR.
Within the first four weeks following submission, the DNR is required to notify the Michigan Departments of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and Agriculture (MDA), notify stakeholders potentially affected, create a technical review committee, and complete a risk assessment.
After risk assessment findings and technical review committee recommendations are submitted to the DNR during the next six months, the DNR has up to two months to consult with the DEQ and MDA and develop a proposed species recommendation.
As part of the process, the DNR will also gather input during a public meeting to be included in a final species recommendation, which within the following 60 days will head to the DNR director, who is required to inform the DEQ and MDA directors, the Natural Resources Commission, and the proposal's nominator of the decision related to any listing, delisting, or reclassification recommendations.
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[url "http://www.spinalcolumnonline.com/1editorialtablebody.lasso?-token.searchtype=authorroutine&-token.lpsearchstring=Josh%20Jackett&-nothing"]Josh Jackett[/url]
August 22, 2007 - Changes in the way state officials classify invasive species could lead to one species — yellow flag iris — being removal from the state's list of banned invasive species.According to Ray Rustem, supervisor of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Wildlife Division Natural Heritage Unit, a process approved by the state's Invasive Species Advisory Council and supported by an executive order allows species to be recommended for removal from the list.
Rustem said so far yellow flag iris is the only species recommended for removal from a list of 16 species deemed invasive by state legislators in 2005.
Legislation at the time also recommended the creation of the state's Invasive Species Advisory Council. Both the council and the banned species list were signed into law in June 2005.
Yellow flag iris has been proposed for removal from the list because its spread in the state has only been reported to occur locally, and not to other locations.
The order to abolish the Invasive Species Advisory Council — Executive Order 14 of 2007 — which Gov. Jennifer Granholm signed Sunday, July 15, transferred the council's power, duties, and functions to the DNR.
Rustem said in addition to approving the new invasive species review process prior to being disbanded, the council also recommended some additional species for addition to the list.
He said DNR personnel and stakeholders throughout the state offered input on the new process prior to the council approving it.
"When we got together with our stakeholders, we wanted to make sure there was a process that took a look at anything that went on or came off (the list of banned species)," he said. "We wanted to have a stepped procedure that would ultimately end up in some kind of recommendation being made to the Legislature."
According to Rustem, one of the first things the DNR requires when recommending a plant goes on or comes off the list — whether the recommendation originates from an individual or an agency — is a proposal that can be evaluated.
Rustem said the DNR doesn't have any review procedure in place for the species currently on the list, but that doesn't mean other species won't be removed in the future.
"If anything comes up that a department becomes aware of, the departments themselves can start putting together a proposal and get the process started," he said.
According to the state's prohibited and restricted species listing request information guide, a proposal for listing or delisting must include the identity of the species, its taxonomic definition, scientific name, transgenic designation if applicable, common names, and cultivars if applicable.
Proposals must also be specific about the species' biological background, the likelihood of its introduction and spread, and the consequences of its introduction and spread, as well as references.
Under the process for listing or delisting a species, all proposals must be submitted to the DNR.
Within the first four weeks following submission, the DNR is required to notify the Michigan Departments of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and Agriculture (MDA), notify stakeholders potentially affected, create a technical review committee, and complete a risk assessment.
After risk assessment findings and technical review committee recommendations are submitted to the DNR during the next six months, the DNR has up to two months to consult with the DEQ and MDA and develop a proposed species recommendation.
As part of the process, the DNR will also gather input during a public meeting to be included in a final species recommendation, which within the following 60 days will head to the DNR director, who is required to inform the DEQ and MDA directors, the Natural Resources Commission, and the proposal's nominator of the decision related to any listing, delisting, or reclassification recommendations.
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