Invasive Laws

Some invasive species management is accomplished by enacting law. In Maryland, multiple state agencies are involved in managing invasive species. The federal government also manages species through laws enacted by several federal agencies and Congress. Laws may be general or specific to a species or area.

Plants

Terrestrial Plants

• Classification of Plant Pests
• Prohibited Activities – State Wildlands Preservation System.
• Noxious Weed Seed
• Agriculture Title, § 9-401 (et seq.) Noxious Plants.
• Agriculture Title, § 9-701 (et seq.). Multiflora Rose Management.
• Salt Cedar and Russian Olive Control Demonstration Act.
• Public Land Corps Healthy Forest Restoration Act.
• National Plan for Control and Management of Sudden Oak Death.
• Noxious Weed Control and Eradication Act.
• Plant Protection Act.
• Alien Species Prevention and Enforcement Act

Aquatic Plants

• Classification of Nonnative Aquatic Organisms.
• Natural Resources Title, § 8-2101 (et seq.). Phragmites Management and Control.
• National Invasive Species Act.
• Non-Indigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act

Animals

Fish

• Statewide General Regulations
• Classification of Nonnative Aquatic Organisms.
• Lacey Act.
  
• ​National Invasive Species Act.
• Alien Species Prevention and Enforcement Act
• Non-Indigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act

Insects

• Classification of Plant Pests.
• Prohibited Activities – State Wildlands Preservation System.
• Public Land Corps Healthy Forest Restoration Act.
• Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002
• Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002.
• Federal Plant Pest Act
• Alien Species Prevention and Enforcement Act

Birds and Mammals

• Prohibited Activities – State Wildlands Preservation System.
• Natural Resources Article, § 10-211. Population control of mute swan.
• Natural Resources Article, § 10-202.1. Nutria Management Plan.
• Agriculture Title, § 5-801 (et seq.) Nuisance Bird Law.
• Agriculture Title, § 5-601. Importation of San Jaun Rabbits.
• Nutria Eradication and Control Act.
• Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002
• Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002.
• Lacey Act.
  
• Alien Species Prevention and Enforcement Act

Shellfish/Crustaceans

• Importation of Shellfish.
• Statewide General Regulations
• Zebra Mussel-Free Certification.
• Classification of Nonnative Aquatic Organisms.
• Natural Resources Article, § 4-816. Nonnative crab restrictions.
• Natural Resources Article, § 4-1008. Introduction of nonnative oysters.
• Lacey Act.
  
• National Invasive Species Act.
• Alien Species Prevention and Enforcement Act
• Non-Indigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act

Reptiles

• Brown Tree Snake Control and Eradication Act.
• Lacey Act.
• Alien Species Prevention and Enforcement Act