Invasive Species Act Plants Animals Brown Tree Control

The National Invasive Species Act "prevents" (does not allow) "invasive species" from entering "U.S. waters" (waterways owned by the United States) by attaching to "ships" (large boats). "Invasive species" (species from elsewhere) are plants and animals that are not from a particular area, but have been brought there and "thrive" (live well and reproduce quickly), killing "native species" (species from that area; plants and animals that are originally from a particular area). For example, "mussels" (small sea animals in dark shells similar to clams) are often found in ships' "ballast water" (water that ships carry for extra weight when they are not carrying very much), and when that ballast water is emptied in a different "port" (a place where ships rest next to land), the mussels become an invasive species.

The Alien Species Prevention and Enforcement Act "prohibits" (bans; does not allow) mailing certain plants and animals, specifically invasive species, through the mail. This is an effort to minimize the movement of invasive species in order to "protect" (help survive) native species.

There are several other laws against "particular" (specific) invasive species. For example, the Brown Tree Snake Control and Eradication Act covers how invasive brown tree snakes should be "dealt with" (handled) on the Island of Guam, a U.S. territory, and "takes measures" (does things) to prevent the brown tree snake from "spreading" (expanding its territory) to other areas.

The Nutria Eradication and Control Act provides funding to help the states of Maryland and Louisiana to control or "eradicate" (get rid of; kill) "nutria" (rodents that live in the water, similar to a river otter) and "restore" (improve something to return it to its former condition) "marshes" (swamp; very wet land) that have been damaged by invasive nutria