Report: Sweeney Authors Bill to Ban Invasive Plants, Animals

New York State Assemblyman (D-) has authored a new bill designed to hinder the spread of invasive plant and animal species across the state.

And it's been signed into law by Governor Andrew Cuomo this week, according to a report on Newsday.com .

The new legislation takes effect in January, the report said, and makes the sale, possession or transportation of non-native species punishable by fines from the Department of Environmental Conservation .

This new law has come along just as the Island-wide fight against invasive species, such as bamboo, has intensified.

For example, Long Beach City, according to , the Town of Hempstead, according to , the Town of Brookhaven, according to a report on NorthShoreofLongIsland.com , banned bamboo in the past two weeks.

And last year bamboo bans were discussed in the Towns of Smithtown and Islip and in Babylon and Sag Harbor Villages, according to reports on , , and  sites.

In addition, according to Newsday, in June, the DEC put $25,000 into battling perennial pepperweed at West Meadow Peninsula. Less than a month later the agency joined civic groups in removing water primrose from the Peconic Estuary.

Long Island has also battled invasive animal species, such as feral hogs and bronze carp.

"It comes not a moment too soon," Sweeney told Newsday. "Some of these species are extremely difficult to deal with, and if you don't catch them early they become entrenched."

Under the new law the DEC and Department of Agriculture and Markets will identify harmful species for disposal. The agencies are required to then publish a list by September 2013, as well as outline "regulated" species legal to own and transport, but not allowed to be released into the wild.

Individuals who possess or transport invasive species will - after a written warning - face a $250 fine. Vendors could face fines up to $2,000.

Read the full Newsday.com report here .