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albany3_120Assemblywoman Barbara Lifton (D/WF- 125th District) introduced legislation in the Assembly last week to help stop the spread of aquatic invasive species across New York State.

“As both state and local governments -- and other local stakeholders -- have dealt with the expense and difficulty of trying to eradicate the hydrilla infestation in Cayuga Lake, it is clear that preventing the establishment of aquatic invasive species is the only real solution to this problem,” Lifton explained.  "To maintain viable recreational and commercial industries on all our waterways across the state, as well as stave off problems with drinking water, we must prevent the spread of damaging invasive species which threaten to undermine the high-quality water resources we, too-often, take for granted in New York"

The legislation requires a visual check of each watercraft at launch to remove any plant or animal matter.

“Long term, the costs, and futility, of eradication efforts are a losing battle. As in every other aspect of life, prevention is much less painful and costly than trying to undo the damage after the fact.  It is critical that we enact this law to prevent continued damage from invasives to our precious water resources,” Lifton said.

“I am pleased that Senator O’Mara is sponsoring the companion bill in the Senate and hope that, with enough public support, we can act quickly on this legislation, in order to get it working and have an impact on this summer season,” Lifton concluded.

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