URGENT, Please Help: Texas Law Will Effectively Prohibit Most Aquarium Plants
The Texas Parks & Wildlife Division is currently hearing public comments on proposed legislation that will severely limit trade and possession of most common aquarium plants.
While invasive, exotic plants and other organisms are serious environmental problems, the new Texas law is extreme. In addition to including a list of prohibited species, which is already a common practice, the new law effectively bans all aquatic plants not cited in a (very short!) "white list" of approved species. I have read through both the approved species list and the list of banned species and there seem to be a number of dubious inclusions. These call into question the rigor of the science used to make these important decisions.
Please read more to become informed and contact the participating agency representatives and policymakers via telephone, email or paper letter as soon as you can. This notice was published by the International Waterlily and Water Gardening Society and seems to contain relevant and current information. Read it and follow the links!
International Waterlily and Water Gardening Society: New Texas Aquatic Plant Law
It is urgent that planted aquarium enthusiasts who love their hobby become informed about this new legislation and call, write or email right away. Even if you do not live in Texas the law is likely to set legal precedents for other states, and you will no longer be able to trade with or sell most of your plants into Texas. The aquascaping hobby seems to be especially robust in Texas, so such severe restrictions on plant-keeping might compromise the hobby for all of us. And it is a real shame for Texan plant lovers.
The Texas Parks & Wildlife Division is currently hearing public comments on proposed legislation that will severely limit trade and possession of most common aquarium plants.
While invasive, exotic plants and other organisms are serious environmental problems, the new Texas law is extreme. In addition to including a list of prohibited species, which is already a common practice, the new law effectively bans all aquatic plants not cited in a (very short!) "white list" of approved species. I have read through both the approved species list and the list of banned species and there seem to be a number of dubious inclusions. These call into question the rigor of the science used to make these important decisions.
Please read more to become informed and contact the participating agency representatives and policymakers via telephone, email or paper letter as soon as you can. This notice was published by the International Waterlily and Water Gardening Society and seems to contain relevant and current information. Read it and follow the links!
International Waterlily and Water Gardening Society: New Texas Aquatic Plant Law
It is urgent that planted aquarium enthusiasts who love their hobby become informed about this new legislation and call, write or email right away. Even if you do not live in Texas the law is likely to set legal precedents for other states, and you will no longer be able to trade with or sell most of your plants into Texas. The aquascaping hobby seems to be especially robust in Texas, so such severe restrictions on plant-keeping might compromise the hobby for all of us. And it is a real shame for Texan plant lovers.
