[APWG] Electronic Public Discussion: Evaluating the Invasive Potential of Imported Plants

[MaryannWhitman]

Bob

The factor you fail to take into account is that most people do not know
about invasive plants and sometimes even when they do know about them, they
don't care. The reasons for willfully ignoring invasive plants take on many
faces. One of these faces is worn by the horticultural industry whose pocket
money is earned through the sale of invasive plants.

Maryann Whitman, Journal Editor
Wild Ones: Native Plants, Natural Landscapes
 
www.for-wild.org
 
Wild Ones: Native Plants, Natural Landscapes promotes environmentally sound
practices to encourage biodiversity through the preservation, restoration
and establishment of native plant communities. Wild Ones is a
not-for-profit, environmental, educational, and advocacy organization.

-----Original Message-----
From: apwg-bounces at lists.plantconservation.org
[mailto:apwg-bounces at lists.plantconservation.org] On Behalf Of Bob Beyfuss
Sent: Thursday, January 04, 2007 9:16 AM
To: Andrea_Williams at nps.gov
Cc: apwg at lists.plantconservation.org
Subject: Re: [APWG] Electronic Public Discussion: Evaluating the Invasive
Potential of Imported Plants

Hello Andrea
If your neighbor plants something on his or her land that has or will have 
a negative impact on your land you have a right to sue. If the science 
clearly proves that his or her actions are damaging your property, you will 
win. If your neighbor's dog bites you or your kid you can sue but I don't 
think we need a federal law that prohibits owning a dog or a specific breed 
of dog i..e a pit bull because it may bite someone.  Personally I would 
prefer to discuss the issue with my neighbors and educate them as to the 
consequences of their actions before resorting to lawsuits but I still 
think this approach is more appropriate than having the federal government 
decide what you or your neighbor can or cannot plant. If your neighbor 
happens to be the federal, state or local government, you still have the 
right to sue. Actually I am surprised that this issue is not in the courts 
right now and maybe it is, perhaps other list members can comment on this 
or the status of lawsuits along this line. Since environmental 
organizations such as the Nature Conservancy have identified invasive 
plants as a serious threat, it seems that they or perhaps NRDC or other 
environmental organizations would fund such a lawsuit. Once the government 
loses such a lawsuit the "institutionalized" practice of planting invasives 
will end.
Bob