00                            HOUSE BILL NO. 365                                                                          
01 "An Act relating to the rapid response to, and control of, aquatic invasive species."                                   
02 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:                                                                
03    * Section 1. AS 16.05 is amended by adding a new section to read:                                                
04            Sec. 16.05.093. Rapid response to, and control of, aquatic invasive species.                               
05       (a) The department shall, in cooperation with the Department of Environmental                                     
06       Conservation, the Department of Natural Resources, and other state, federal, public,                              
07       and private entities, establish a rapid response and management plan for addressing                               
08       occurrences of aquatic invasive species in limited or isolated geographic areas. The                              
09       plan must                                                                                                         
10                 (1)  identify and assess potential responses to the occurrence of an                                    
11       aquatic invasive species that can be carried out quickly; and                                                     
12                 (2)  provide procedures, consistent with applicable state and federal                                   
13       law, for the expedited eradication or control of an invasive species in a limited or                              
14       isolated area.                                                                                                    
15            (b)  Consistent with applicable state and federal law, under the rapid response                              

01       and management plan established under (a) of this section, the department may use                                 
02       chemical, biological, mechanical, or physical methods, singly or in combination, to                               
03       control the occurrence of or eradicate an aquatic invasive species in a limited or                                
04       isolated geographic area.                                                                                         
05            (c)  In responding under (b) of this section to the occurrence of an aquatic                                 
06       invasive species, the department may apply for suspension of, or emergency,                                       
07       quarantine, public health, crisis, or other exemptions to, applicable environmental laws                          
08       and regulations.                                                                                                  
09            (d)  Rapid response to, and management of, an aquatic invasive species in a                                  
10       limited or isolated geographic area under (b) of this section shall be given priority over                        
11       other activities of the department and activities regulated by the department. The                                
12       commissioner or an authorized designee may summarily open or close a season or area                               
13       under AS 16.05.060 to aid in responding to the occurrence of an invasive species                                  
14       under this section.                                                                                               
15            (e)  Each state department, agency, and institution shall cooperate with the                                 
16       department in responding under (b) of this section to the occurrence of an aquatic                                
17       invasive species in a limited or isolated geographic area.                                                        
18            (f)  In this section, "aquatic invasive species" means an organism introduced to                             
19       a marine or freshwater ecosystem to which it is not native and whose introduction                                 
20       causes, or is likely to cause, economic or environmental harm or harm to human                                    
21       health.