As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
INVASIVE NONNATIVE AQUATIC ANIMAL
Any animal that is not native to Long Island or the northeastern
United States, including, but not limited to, the species Chann argus
(northern snakehead) or Dreissena polymorpha (zebra mussel).
INVASIVE NONNATIVE AQUATIC PLANT
Any aquatic plant that is not native to Long Island or the
northeastern United States, including, but not limited to, the species
Cabomba caroliniana (fanwort), Egeria densa (Brazilian waterweed),
Eichornia azurea (water hyacinth), Hydrilla verticillata (hydrilla),
Hydrocharis morsus-ranae (European frogbit), Myriophyllum aquaticum
(parrot feather), Myriophyllum spicatum (Eurasian watermilfoil), Nymphoides
peltata (yellow floating heart), Potamogeton crispus (curlyleaf pondweed)
or Trapa natans (water chestnut).
No person shall introduce, throw, dump, deposit, place or cause
to be introduced, thrown, dumped, deposited or placed in any river,
stream, lake, pond, wetland or stormwater drain, in whatever capacity
and for whatever purpose, anything containing an invasive nonnative
aquatic animal or an invasive nonnative aquatic plant as defined herein.
Any person who knowingly violates any provision of this article
shall be guilty of an unclassified misdemeanor punishable by a fine
of up to $1,000 for each offense.
This article shall be enforced by the Suffolk County Department of Health Services in accordance with the provisions of Article
II of the Suffolk County Sanitary Code.
The Suffolk County Department of Health Services is hereby authorized
and empowered to issue and promulgate such rules and regulations as
it deems necessary to implement and carry out the provisions of this
article.
This article shall apply to all actions occurring on or after
the effective date of this article.
This article shall be null and void on the day that statewide
or federal legislation goes into effect, incorporating either the
same or substantially similar provisions as are contained in this
article, or in the event that a pertinent state or federal administrative
agency issues and promulgates regulations preempting such action by
the County of Suffolk. The County Legislature may determine via mere
resolution whether or not identical or substantially similar statewide
legislation has been enacted for the purposes of triggering the provisions
of this section.