New Jersey-2018-S3632-Introduced

An Act concerning the use of triploid grass carp in freshwater lakes.

Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. a. There is established in the Department of Environmental Protection the Triploid Grass Carp Commission. The purpose of the commission shall be to study the use of triploid grass carp in freshwater lakes to control the growth of aquatic plants, to assess risks of such use on the State's fisheries and ecosystems, and to evaluate and make recommendations on the regulation of their use. The commission shall:

(1) study the efficacy of the use of temperature shocking to produce sterile grass carp;

(2) examine the methods and effectiveness of the use of triploid grass carp in other states for the control of aquatic plants;

(3) evaluate the regulations and limitations in effect in other states on the use of triploid grass carp and the success of their protection of native fisheries and aquatic ecosystems;

(4) assess the current restrictions in the State on the use of triploid grass carp in freshwater lakes;

(5) evaluate whether triploid grass carp may be safely used in the State for aquatic plant control without negatively impacting native fisheries or aquatic ecosystems; and

(6) compare the use of triploid grass carp as an alternative to the use of herbicides for aquatic weed control.

b. The commission shall consist of nine members, appointed by the Governor as follows:

(1) a representative of the Lake Hopatcong Foundation;

(2) a representative of the Musconetcong Watershed Association;

(3) a member of the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council;

(4) a representative of the Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed;

(5) a representative of the New Jersey Audubon Society;

(6) a representative of the New Jersey Bass Federation;

(7) a representative of the Knee Deep Club of Lake Hopatcong;

(8) a representative of Rutgers, the State University, with expertise in freshwater fisheries and aquatic ecosystems; and

(9) a representative of Rowan University, with expertise in freshwater fisheries and aquatic ecosystems.

c. All appointments to the commission shall be made no later than 90 days after the effective date of this act. Each member shall serve for the duration of the commission, and vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointments. The members of the commission shall serve without compensation, but shall be eligible for reimbursement for necessary and reasonable expenses incurred in the performance of their official duties within the limits of funds appropriated or otherwise made available to the commission for its purposes.

d. The commission shall organize as soon as practicable following the appointment of its members and shall select a chairperson and a vice-chairperson from among its members, as well as a secretary who need not be a member of the commission. A majority of the membership of the commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of commission business. The commission may meet and hold hearings at the place or places the commission designates.

e. The Department of Environmental Protection shall provide staff support to the commission. The commission shall be entitled to call to its assistance and avail itself of the services of the employees of any State, county, or municipal department, board, bureau, commission, or agency as the commission may require and as may be available to the commission for its purposes.

f. No later than one year after its organization, the commission shall prepare and submit to the Governor and, pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), the Legislature, a final report detailing the commission's findings, including any recommendations for legislative or regulatory action that are necessary to effectuate its recommendations.

g. The commission shall expire 30 days after submission of its final report pursuant to subsection f. of this section.

2. This act shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

This bill would establish in the Department of Environmental Protection the Triploid Grass Carp Commission. The purpose of the commission is to study the use of triploid grass carp in freshwater lakes to control the growth of aquatic plants, to assess risks of such use on the State's fisheries, and to evaluate and make recommendations on the regulation of their use. The commission is required to:

(1) study the efficacy of the use of temperature shocking to produce sterile grass carp;

(2) examine the methods and effectiveness of the use of triploid grass carp in other states for the control of aquatic plants;

(3) evaluate the regulations and limitations in effect in other states on the use of triploid grass carp and the success of their protection of native fisheries and aquatic ecosystems;

(4) assess the current restrictions in the State on the use of triploid grass carp in freshwater lakes;

(5) evaluate whether triploid grass carp may be safely used in the State for aquatic plant control without negatively impacting native fisheries or aquatic ecosystems; and

(6) compare the use of triploid grass carp as an alternative to the use of herbicides for aquatic weed control.

The commission would be comprised of nine members appointed by the Governor, as follows: a representative of the Lake Hopatcong Foundation; a representative of the Musconetcong Watershed Association; a member of the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council; a representative of the Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed; a representative of the New Jersey Audubon Society; a representative of the New Jersey Bass Federation; a representative of the Knee Deep Club of Lake Hopatcong; and one representative each from Rutgers, the State University, and Rowan University, with expertise in freshwater fisheries and aquatic ecosystems. The commission would be required to submit its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature no later than one year after its organization.

The commission would expire 30 days after submission of its report under the bill.