Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Classification Summary for Invasive Species

Template last updated February 2020

DRAFT: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Invasive Species Program,

Classification Screening for

Contents

Classification Screening for	1

Introduction	1

Species Summary	2

Eligibility Screening	2

Classification Screening	3

Summary	5

Appendix	6

References Cited	6

Additional References	6

Introduction

This document is a guide to the Minnesota DNR’s authority under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 84D, to designate invasive species as prohibited or regulated invasive species. The conclusions and recommendations in this document are for information purposes only and do not require the DNR or any other entity to take a specific action.

More information about classifications of invasive species can be found on the DNR website (http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/laws.html) and in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 84D (https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/?id=84D). Prohibited, regulated, and unregulated species are listed in Minnesota Rules, chapter 6216 (https://www.revisor.mn.gov/rules/?id=6216).

How to fill out this classification screening

For more detailed guidance on completing this document, see the DNR’s “Guidance for Invasive Species Classification Summaries”. The following is a brief guide:

Fill out the Species Summary section with the species name and a brief description of the species and its current regulatory status in Minnesota.

Answer the questions in the Eligibility Screening section to determine whether the species is eligible for regulation under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 84D.

If the species is eligible for regulation under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 84D, continue to answer the questions in the Classification Screening section and characterize the certainty of the answer for each question.

At the end of the classification screening questions, summarize the most important points from the answers and judge the overall certainty of the screening.

Finally, you should make a recommendation for classifying the species, based on the findings of the classification screening.

Update the table of contents when the document is completed.

Species Summary

Common name:

Scientific name:

Brief description:

Present classification in Minnesota:

Proposed classification:

Eligibility Screening

These three questions determine whether the DNR has authority to regulate the species under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 84D.

Is the species an aquatic plant or wild animal? For the purposes of this question, “species” includes “subspecies, genotypes, cultivars, hybrids, or genera” (Minnesota Statutes, section 84D.04 subd. 1).

Choose Yes or No; if yes, continue.

Is the species a pathogen or terrestrial arthropod regulated under Minnesota Statutes, sections 18G.01 to 18G.15? (Minnesota Statutes, section 84D.14(1))

Choose Yes or No; if no, continue.

Is the species a mammal or bird defined as livestock in statute? (Minnesota Statutes, section 84D.14(1)).

Choose Yes or No; if no, continue.

Classification Screening

Is it nonnative?

To be classified as an invasive species under Minnesota Statutes, the species must be “nonnative”; that is, not “native” as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 84D.01, subd. 11. This has two components.

Is the species nonnative in Minnesota?

Is the species naturally present or reproducing in Minnesota?

Does the species naturally expand from its historic range into Minnesota?

How certain are these answers?

Likelihood of introduction

This is a criterion for classification of an invasive species under Minnesota Statutes, section 84D.04, subd. 2(1). The terms “introduce” and “introduction” are defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 84D.01.

Is the species likely to be introduced to Minnesota if it is allowed to enter or exist in the state?

How certain is this answer?

Likelihood of survival

This is a criterion for classification of an invasive species under Minnesota Statutes, section 84D.04, subd. 2(2). The term “naturalize” is defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 84D.01 as “to establish a self-sustaining population…in the wild.”

Is the species likely to naturalize in Minnesota if it were introduced?

How certain is this answer?

Potential negative impacts

For a nonnative species to be defined as “invasive” under Minnesota Statutes, section 84D.01, subd. 9a, the species must: cause, or have the potential to cause economic or environmental harm, harm to human health; or threaten or have the potential to threaten the use of natural resources in the state. This question has four components: economic, environmental, health, and natural resources.

Is the nonnative species an invasive species as defined under Minnesota law?

Does the species cause, or may it cause, economic harm?

How certain is this answer?

Does the species cause, or may it cause, environmental harm?

How certain is this answer?

Does the species cause, or may it cause, harm to human health?

How certain is this answer?

Does the species threaten, or may it threaten, the use of natural resources in the state?

How certain is this answer?

Natural resource impacts

This is a criterion for classification of an invasive species under Minnesota Statutes, section 84D.04, subd. 2(3).

Would the species have potential adverse impacts in Minnesota, in particular on: native species, outdoor recreation, commercial fishing, and other uses of natural resources in the state?

Choose Yes or No; if yes, continue to 5.1.

If so, what would be the magnitude of these adverse impacts?

How certain is this answer?

Management options

This is a criterion for classification of an invasive species under Minnesota Statutes, section 84D.04, subd. 2(4).

Would we be able to eradicate, or control the spread of, the species once it is introduced in Minnesota?

How certain is this answer?

Other relevant information

This is a criterion for classification of an invasive species under Minnesota Statutes, section 84D.04, subd. 2(5). Information that may be included here includes, but is not limited to: economic impacts; regulations in other jurisdictions; and ongoing monitoring programs.

Are there other criteria the DNR commissioner deems appropriate? If so, discuss.

Summary

Summarize the findings of the screening form, including whether the species is nonnative and invasive as defined by Minnesota Statutes, chapter 84D, and characterize the overall certainty of the answers provided above.

Note that certain answers in the screening form may indicate that the species is not a good candidate for designating as a prohibited or regulated invasive species under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 84D:

If you answered “Yes” to either 1a or 1b, the species is not “nonnative” as defined under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 84D; consider regulation under other authorities.

If you answered “No” to all of 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d, then the species is nonnative but may not be “invasive” as defined under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 84D; consider whether proposed introductions of this species should follow Minnesota Rules, part 6216.0290.

Summary:

How certain is this classification summary, overall?

Recommendation

The DNR may choose to recommend whether to designate the species as a prohibited invasive species, a regulated invasive species, or whether the species should be an unlisted nonnative species (Minnesota Statutes, section 84D.06). Briefly justify this recommendation and include any additional information such as recommended deadlines for updating this screening form and revisiting this decision and gaps in our knowledge that could be addressed by researchers.

Recommendation:

Appendix

Qualitative uncertainty ratings

Uncertainty rating	Description	Abbreviation
Very certain	As certain as I am going to get	VC
Reasonably certain	Reasonably certain	RC
Moderately certain	More certain than not	MC
Reasonably uncertain	Reasonably uncertain	RU
Very uncertain	A guess	VU

Uncertainty ratings from: “Generic Nonindigenous Aquatic Organisms Risk Analysis Review Process”, Risk Assessment and Management Committee report to the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force, 1996. Available online (www.anstaskforce.gov/Documents/ANSTF_Risk_Analysis.pdf; accessed February 14, 2020).

Version notes

References to Minnesota Statutes are to the 2019 version.

References Cited

Additional References