Invasive Species Program

Invasive Species in California

What are the laws and regulations regarding invasive species?

(Documents referred to below can be viewed by clicking on the blue text).

Descriptions of Federal and State laws and regulations regarding invasive species can be found in Appendices B and C, respectively, of the California Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan (CAISMP).  A summary of those laws and regulations is provided in Chapter 5 of the CAISMP. Although this document only addresses management of aquatic invasive species, the majority of the laws that are involved address both terrestrial and aquatic species.  When a law applies only to aquatic invasive species it is evident in the title of the law and its description in the CAISMP and its appendices. 

Appendix G of the CAISMP includes lists of aquatic invasive plants and animal species in California that are regulated by laws and regulations that are species-specific.  It is a matrix that shows the status or ratings of these species under various state and federal statutes and policies.

A description of California’s laws and regulations to control noxious and invasive weeds can be found in Appendix D of the California Noxious and Invasive Weed Action Plan.

The link for this plan is: www.cdfa.ca.gov/phpps/ipc/noxweedinfo/pdfs/noxious_weed_plan.pdf

A manual on laws and regulations implemented by the California Department of Fish and Game regarding animals with restrictions on their importation and possession can be found at www.dfg.ca.gov/licensing/pdffiles/fg1518.pdf.  It includes a list of the species that are regulated by these laws.