Nebraska Administrative Code › Topic - GAME AND PARKS COMMISSION › Title 163 - Nebraska Game and Parks Commission › Chapter 2 - Fisheries Regulations › Section 163-2-012 - AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES REGULATIONS

Current through June 17, 2024
The following regulations are prescribed by the Nebraska Game
				  and Parks Commission, State of Nebraska, in addition to State Statutes in
				  accordance with Neb. Rev. Stat.
				  37-215.01,
				  37-301, 37304,
				  37-309,
				  37-355,
				  37-524,
				  37-524.02,
				  37-524.03,
				  37-547,
				  37-548, and
				  37-1206. For purposes of these
				  regulations, unless context otherwise requires, the definitions found in
				  Chapter 37, sections
				  201-234 of the Game Law, are
				  used.
012.01 DEFINITIONS
012.01A Aquatic Invasive Species are any
				exotic or non-native aquatic organisms that pose a significant threat to the
				aquatic resources, water supplies, or water infrastructure of this State. Since
				the current status and level of threat can be different for each species, four
				different categories are established:
Category 1 - Potential Aquatic Invasive Species;
Category 2 - Priority Aquatic Invasive Species;
Category 3 - Established Aquatic Invasive Species;
Category 4 - Aquatic Invasive Plant Species Listed as Noxious
				  in Nebraska.
Category 1 - Potential Aquatic Invasive Species are those
				  species that have not yet been sampled in Nebraska and are considered a high
				  threat. Those organisms are as follows
Common Name
Scientific Name
Round Goby
Apollonia melanostoma
Snakehead
Chana sp
Black Carp
Mylopharyngodon piceus
Quagga Mussel
Dreissena rostriformis
								bugensis
New Zealand Mudsnail
Potamopyrgus
								antipodarum
Giant Reed
Arundo donax
Brazilian Waterweed, Elodea
Egeria densa
Hydrilla
Hydrilla verticillata
Didymo, Rock Snot
Didymosphenia geminate
Category 2 - Priority Aquatic Invasive Species are those
				  species that are currently present in Nebraska but with limited distribution.
				  They are considered highly unwanted species and all efforts should be taken to
				  prevent the expansion of their populations. Those species include:
Common Name
Scientific Name
Silver Carp
Hyopophthamichthys
								molitrix
Bighead Carp
Hyopophthamichthys
								nobilis
White Perch
Morone americana
Yellow Bass
Roccus
								mississippiensis
Zebra Mussel
Dreissena polymorpha
Waterflea
Daphnia lumholtzii
Rusty Crayfish
Orconectes rusticus
Curly-leaf Pondweed
Potomogeton crispus
Flowering Rush
Butomus umbellatus
Eurasian Watermilfoil
Myriophyllum spicatum
Yellow Floating Heart
Nymphoides peltata
Creeping Water Primrose
Ludwigia peploides
Brittle Naiad
Najas minor
White River Crayfish
Procambarus acutus
Red Swamp Crayfish
Procambarus clarkua
Category 3 - Established Aquatic Invasive Species are those
				  species that are well established in Nebraska and total elimination is
				  impossible. Local removal and control is the best that can be expected and
				  protocols established in sub-sections
				  012.02 to
				  012.04 below do not apply to the
				  species on this list, which includes:
Common Name
Scientific Name
Common Carp
Cyprinus carpio
European Rudd
Scardinius
								erythrophthalmus
Chinese Mystery Snail
Cipangopaludina
								chinensis
Japanese Mystery Snail
Cipangopaludina
								japonica
Asian Clam
Corbicula fluminea
Common Watercress
Nasturium officinale
Reed Canary Grass
Phalaris arundinacea
Narrow-leaf Cattail
Typha angustifolia and
								hybrids
Western Mosquitofish
Gambusia affinis
Category 4 - Aquatic Invasive Species Listed as Noxious in
				  Nebraska are regulated by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture as noxious
				  plant species. Those species include:
Common Name
Scientific Name
Eurasian Common Reed
Phragmites australis
Saltcedar
Tamarix ramosissima and
								hybrids
Purple Loosestrife
Lythrum salicaria
012.01B An authorized inspector means a
				person who has completed Aquatic Invasive Species Level 1 training, or
				Conservation Officer or peace officer.
012.01C It shall be unlawful to possess or
				transport any category 1 or 2 invasive species.
012.01D It shall be unlawful to neglect or
				fail to prevent the possible possession, transfer or transport of any aquatic
				invasive species by:
012.01D1 Not removing the
				drain plug prior to leaving any water body launch area or potential launch
				area.
012.01D2 Arriving at,
				attempting to enter or leave any water body with equipment that contains any
				plant material.
012.01D3 Arriving
				at, attempting to enter or leave any water body posted as being infested with
				either Zebra or Quagga mussels with equipment holding live fish, live baitfish
				or any water other than from a domestic source that has not been used for
				holding fish.
012.01D4 Using any
				felt sole boots or waders in waters owned or operated by the
				Commission.
012.01E
				Decontaminate means to remove or destroy Aquatic Invasive Species from a
				conveyance.
012.01F Equipment means
				an article, tool, implement, or device capable of containing or transporting
				water or Aquatic Invasive Species.
012.01G Launch area means any ground along
				the shoreline of a water body where a conveyance may be launched into the water
				or loaded out of the water for transport, including but not limited to boat
				ramps.