Resolution: Support for Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention and Legislation
Adopted on June 17, 2003

Whereas, certain aquatic invasive species have already caused damage to bodies of water in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence ecosystem, harming the ecological integrity, biological diversity and economic health of the binational Great Lakes-St. Lawrence region, and

Whereas, new aquatic invasive species are continuously being discovered throughout the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence ecosystem; and

Whereas, with the recent discovery of Asian carp, whose source of introduction was aquaculture, moving toward the Great Lakes from the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, experts widely agree that the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence ecosystem now faces an imminent threat from one of the most damaging invasive species, the Asian carp, and experts further agree that if the Asian carp enters the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence ecosystem, they will cause tremendous harm to the ecological integrity, biological diversity and economic health of the bi-national Great Lakes-St. Lawrence region; and

Whereas, the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence ecosystem is not alone in facing damage and threats from aquatic invasive species as waters throughout the United States face the same threats and damaging consequences from various types of invasive species; and

Whereas, while local governments can and have taken steps aimed at prohibiting and penalizing the release of aquatic invasive species in the waters of their communities, local governments alone do not have the authority or the resources to adequately address aquatic invasive species; and

Whereas, the intentional or accidental release of ballast water from ships is a known source of the release of invasive species in bodies of water; and

Whereas, there is currently a lack of standardized methods for early detection of aquatic invasive species and a lack of standardized procedures for rapidly responding to aquatic invasive species once discovered; and

Whereas, to date, there has been inadequate funding for federal, state and local governments to effectively help stop the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species; and

Whereas, the nation’s waters and the communities located on shorelines of the nation’s waters would substantially benefit from a national and comprehensive, well-funded approach for helping to stop the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species; and

Whereas, legislation has been introduced to the U.S. Congress, the National Aquatic Invasive Species Act of 2003, that would establish a comprehensive approach to help stop the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species in waters throughout the nation by establishing best practices for shipping and ballast water; establishing methods for early detection of invasive species, setting up rapid response procedures, authorizing specific measures to target invasive species already present in certain waters, including the Asian carp; and authorizing funding for all these measures;

Therefore, be it resolved, that the International Association of Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Mayors urges the U.S. Congress to promptly enact the National Aquatic Invasive Species Act of 2003; and

Be it Further resolved, that the International Association of Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Mayors urges the cities and towns of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence region to develop and adopt ordinances banning the importation, sale, transport or possession of aquatic invasive species such as Asian Carp and Snakehead Fish; and

Be it finally resolved, that the International Association of Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Mayors urges the local, provincial and federal governments of Canada to take steps within their authority to help stop the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species within Canadian waters.