Source: https://www.animallaw.info/statute/mt-exotic-wildlife-part-7-importation-introduction-and-transplantation-wildlife
Timestamp: 2019-04-25 05:51:42+00:00

Document:
The legislature finds that in order to protect Montana's native wildlife and plant species, livestock, horticultural, forestry, and agricultural production, and human health and safety, it is necessary to regulate the importation for introduction and the transplantation or introduction of wildlife in the state and to regulate the importation, transplantation, possession, and sale of exotic wildlife. Serious threats, known and unknown, from the introduction of wildlife and exotic wildlife into Montana necessitate the regulation of the importation for introduction and the transplantation or introduction of wildlife and regulation of the importation, transplantation, possession, and sale of exotic wildlife unless it can be shown that no harm will result from the importation, transplantation, possession, sale, or introduction. Any importation, transplantation, possession, sale, or introduction permitted must be conducted in a manner to ensure that wildlife or exotic wildlife can be controlled if harm arises from unforeseen effects.
Enacted by Laws 1985, ch. 624, § 2. Amended by Laws 2003, ch. 536, § 6.
(1) “Controlled exotic wildlife” means species placed on the controlled exotic wildlife list under 87-5-707 that may be imported, possessed, or sold only pursuant to commission and department rules and an authorization permit provided for in 87-5-705(2).
(2) “Domestic animal” means an animal that, through long association with humans, has been bred to a degree that has resulted in genetic changes affecting color, temperament, conformation, or other attributes of the species to an extent that makes the animal unique and distinguishable from wild individuals of the species and that is readily controllable if accidentally released into the wild. The term includes livestock, as defined in 81-2-702, dogs, cats, rodents, Eurasian ferrets, and poultry.
(3) “Exotic wildlife” means a wildlife species that is not native to Montana.
(4) “Feral” means the appearance of an animal and any offspring that have escaped captivity and become wild.
(5) “Importation” means the act of receiving, bringing or having brought, or shipping into the state for a person's temporary or permanent residence or domicile any wildlife from a location outside the state.
(6) “Introduction” means the release from captivity or attempt to release from captivity, intentional or otherwise, wildlife from outside the state into the wild within the state.
(7) “Native wildlife” means a species or subspecies of wildlife that historically occurred in Montana and that has not been introduced by humans or has not migrated into Montana as a result of human activity.
(8) “Noncontrolled exotic wildlife” means animal species traditionally sold or kept as pets and includes animals listed in 87-5-706 or animals that are added to the list in 87-5-706 by commission rule.
(9) “Possession” means to own or have control over an animal for personal use or resale.
(10) “Prohibited exotic wildlife” means animal species placed on the list provided in 87-5-704(3)(a) that may not be imported, possessed, or sold.
(11) “Transplantation” means the release of or attempt to release, intentional or otherwise, wildlife from one place within the state into another part of the state.
(a) “Wildlife” means any wild mammal, bird, reptile, amphibian, fish, mollusk, crustacean, or other wild animal or the egg, sperm, embryo, or offspring of the wild animal.
(b) The term does not include domestic animals.
Enacted by Laws 1985, ch. 624, § 3. Amended by Laws 2003, ch. 536, § 7.
(8) Title 81, chapter 2.
Enacted by Laws 1985, ch. 624, § 11. Amended by Laws 1989, ch. 376, § 13; amended by Laws 2005, ch. 281, § 1; amended by Laws 2011, ch. 258, § 118, eff. Oct. 1, 2011.
(1) The commission may adopt rules to implement 87-5-701, 87-5-702, and 87-5-711 through 87-5-715. In implementing 87-5-713, the commission may adopt rules approving species of wildlife that may be introduced by the department. In implementing 87-5-715, the commission may adopt rules to authorize the control or extermination by the department of introduced wildlife species.
(2) The department may adopt rules to implement 87-5-713 and 87-5-715. In implementing 87-5-713 and 87-5-715, the department may not adopt rules in the subject areas reserved to the commission in subsection (1).
(3)(a) The commission may adopt rules to implement 87-5-705 through 87-5-709 and 87-5-712 regarding the importation, possession, and sale of exotic wildlife, including adoption of a list of controlled exotic wildlife and a list of prohibited exotic wildlife. The commission may by rule add to the list of noncontrolled exotic wildlife provided in 87-5-706. The department of livestock may not issue import permits for exotic wildlife on a list of controlled exotic wildlife or prohibited exotic wildlife without authorization from the department.
(b) The commission may adopt rules regarding the operation of the classification review committee established in 87-5-708.
(4) The department may adopt rules regarding issuance of the authorization permit provided for in 87-5-705(2), including the establishment of a reasonable fee for the permit.
Enacted by Laws 1985, ch. 624, § 10. Amended by Laws 2003, ch. 536, § 8; amended by Laws 2005, ch. 281, § 2; amended by Laws 2007, ch. 44, § 72.
(b) the person has obtained authorization for importation from the department of livestock pursuant to Title 81, chapter 2, part 7.
(2) The department may issue a permit for authorizing the possession or sale of controlled exotic wildlife and make the permit available to persons who wish to import, possess, or sell controlled exotic wildlife, subject to rules of the commission and the department. The department may charge a reasonable fee, as determined by department rule, for the issuance of the authorization permit.
Enacted by Laws 2003, ch. 536, § 1.
(2) The commission may by rule authorize the possession or sale of other species of noncontrolled exotic wildlife that are not listed in subsection (1) if it is determined that the other species present minimal disease, ecological, environmental, safety, or health risks.
Enacted by Laws 2003, ch. 536, § 2.
As provided in 87-5-704(3)(a), the commission, after a public hearing and recommendation from the classification review committee established in 87-5-708, may by rule adopt a list of controlled exotic wildlife that may be imported, possessed, or sold only pursuant to commission and department rules and department authorization.
Enacted by Laws 2003, ch. 536, § 3.
Application for a permit to possess a controlled species, see MT ADC 12.6.2211.
Controlled species permits, see MT ADC 12.6.2210.
Determining exotic wildlife classification, see MT ADC 12.6.2225.
Exotic wildlife: definitions, see MT ADC 12.6.2201.
Exotic wildlife: list of noncontrolled species, see MT ADC 12.6.2205.
Exotic wildlife permit appeal process, see MT ADC 12.6.2230.
List of controlled species, see MT ADC 12.6.2208.
List of prohibited species, see MT ADC 12.6.2215.
Prohibited species permits, see MT ADC 12.6.2220.
Requirements for care and housing of exotic wildlife held in captivity, see MT ADC 12.6.2203.
(1) The director shall appoint a classification review committee whose duty is to advise the commission regarding the importation, possession, and sale of exotic wildlife, including recommendations on animals to be placed on the noncontrolled, controlled, or prohibited exotic wildlife list.
(f) the general public who has an interest in fish or wildlife.
(3) Members of the classification review committee are not entitled to compensation or travel expenses as provided in 2-15-122.
Enacted by Laws 2003, ch. 536, § 4.
(2) Authorization for possession must be provided by the department for exotic wildlife possessed as of January 1, 2004, and the authorization may include any conditions and restrictions necessary to minimize risks.
Enacted by Laws 2003, ch. 536, § 5. Amended by Laws 2005, ch. 281, § 3.
(1) Except as otherwise provided, the importation for introduction or the transplantation or introduction of any wildlife is prohibited unless the commission determines, based upon scientific investigation and after public hearing, that a species of wildlife poses no threat of harm to native wildlife and plants or to agricultural production and that the transplantation or introduction of a species has significant public benefits.
(2) With regard to the transplantation or introduction of a fish species not previously legally transplanted to a specific water body within the state or not previously legally introduced to the state, the requirement for scientific investigation in subsection (1) may be satisfied only by completion of an environmental review conforming to the provisions of Title 75, chapter 1, part 2.
Enacted by Laws 1985, ch. 624, § 4. Amended by Laws 1991, ch. 501, § 1.
(c) the exotic wildlife would pose a risk to human health or safety, livestock, or native wildlife through disease transmission, hybridization, or ecological or environmental damage.
(2) The commission may make exceptions for wildlife species or exotic wildlife otherwise prohibited under this section if the wildlife species or exotic wildlife is controlled in an institution listed in 87-5-709(1)(a) and under any conditions specified by the commission.
Enacted by Laws 1985, ch. 624, § 7. Amended by Laws 2003, ch. 536, § 9; amended by Laws 2005, ch. 281, § 4.
Any wildlife species listed in 87-5-714 or approved by the commission for introduction or transplantation may be introduced or transplanted only subject to a plan developed by the department to assure that the population can be controlled if any unforeseen harm should occur.
Enacted by Laws 1985, ch. 624, § 5.
(bb) golden shiner (Notemigonus crysoleucas).
(2) The commission may by rule and subject to the provisions of 87-5-711 authorize the department to transplant or introduce species of wildlife not listed in subsection (1).
Enacted by Laws 1985, ch. 624, § 9. Amended by Laws 2011, ch. 19, § 45, eff. Oct. 1, 2011.
Any wildlife or feral species transplanted or introduced in the state may be exterminated or controlled by the department if the commission determines that the species poses harm to native wildlife or plants or to agricultural production.
Enacted by Laws 1985, ch. 624, § 6. Amended by Laws 1989, ch. 376, § 12.
The commission and the department shall consult with the departments of agriculture, public health and human services, and livestock in all matters relating to the control of wildlife species and exotic wildlife that may have a harmful effect on agricultural production or livestock operations in the state or that may pose a risk to human health or safety.
Enacted by Laws 1985, ch. 624, § 8. Amended by Laws 2003, ch. 536, § 10.
(1) Except as provided in subsection (2), a person convicted of a violation of this part shall be fined not less than $50 or more than $1,000 or be imprisoned in the county detention center for not more than 6 months, or both. In addition, the department, upon conviction of the person, shall revoke any license or permit issued by it under this title to the person and deny any application by the person for a license or permit under this title for a period not to exceed 2 years from the date of the conviction.
(a) is guilty of an offense punishable by a fine of not less than $2,000 or more than $10,000 and imprisonment for up to 1 year. A sentencing court may consider an appropriate amount of community service in lieu of imprisonment. A sentencing court may not defer or suspend $2,000 of the fine amount.
(b) is civilly liable for the amount necessary to eliminate or mitigate the effects of the violation. The damages may be recovered on behalf of the public by the department or by the county attorney of the county in which the violation occurred, in a civil action in a court of competent jurisdiction. Money recovered by the department or a county attorney must be deposited in the state special revenue fund as provided in 87-1-601(1).
(c) upon conviction or forfeiture of bond or bail, shall forfeit any current hunting, fishing, or trapping license issued by this state and the privilege to hunt, fish, or trap in this state for not less than 5 years or more than 10 years from the date of conviction or forfeiture. If the time necessary to eliminate or mitigate the effects of the violation exceeds the imposed forfeiture period, a person may be required to forfeit the privilege to hunt, fish, or trap in this state for an additional period of time. If the effects of the violation cannot be eliminated or mitigated, a person may be required to forfeit the privilege to hunt, fish, or trap in this state for life.
(3) Any exotic wildlife held in violation of this part must be shipped out of state, returned to the point of origin, or destroyed within a time set by the department, not to exceed 6 months. The person in possession of the exotic wildlife may choose the method of disposition. If the person in possession of the exotic wildlife does not comply with this requirement, the department may confiscate and then house, transport, or destroy the unlawfully held exotic wildlife. The department may charge any person convicted of a violation of this part for the costs associated with the handling, housing, transporting, or destroying of the exotic wildlife.
Enacted by Laws 1985, ch. 624, § 12. Amended by Laws 1991, ch. 501, § 2; amended by Laws 1993, ch. 223, § 2; amended by Laws 1997, ch. 344, § 1; amended by Laws 2005, ch. 281, § 5; amended by Laws 2009, ch. 429, § 17, eff. July 1, 2009; amended by Laws 2011, ch. 139, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2011; amended by Laws 2011, ch. 258, § 119, eff. Oct. 1, 2011.
(b) notify the public through print and broadcast media of the availability of release information on the department's website.
(2) Prior permission from the landowner is required before any animal may be transplanted onto private property.
Enacted by Laws 2009, ch. 119, § 1, eff. April 1, 2009.

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