All actions taken by Federal agencies in implementing the provisions of section 4722 of this title shall be consistent with all applicable Federal, State, and local environmental laws.
Except as provided in paragraph (2), nothing in this chapter shall affect the authority of any State or political subdivision thereof to adopt or enforce control measures for aquatic nuisance species, or diminish or affect the jurisdiction of any State over species of fish and wildlife.
Any discharge incidental to the normal operation of a vessel, including any discharge of ballast water (as those terms are defined in subsections (a) and (p)(1) of section 1322 of title 33), shall be regulated in accordance with that section.
Compliance with the control and eradication measures of any State or political subdivision thereof regarding aquatic nuisance species shall not relieve any person of the obligation to comply with the provisions of this subchapter.
16 U.S.C. § 4725
EDITORIAL NOTES
REFERENCES IN TEXTThis chapter, referred to in subsec. (b)(1), was in the original "this title", meaning title I of Pub. L. 101-646, 104 Stat. 4761, known as the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of title I to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 4701 of this title and Tables.
AMENDMENTS2018-Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 115-282, §903(h)(2)(C), designated first sentence as subsec. (a) and inserted heading. Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 115-282, §903(h)(2)(B), (D), designated second sentence as subsec. (b)(1), inserted subsec. (b) and par. (1) headings, substituted "Except as provided in paragraph (2), nothing" for "Nothing", and added par. (2).Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 115-282, §903(h)(2)(A), designated third sentence as subsec. (c) and inserted heading. 1996- Pub. L. 104-332 made technical amendment to Pub. L. 101-646, §1205, which enacted this section.
- State
- "State" means each of the several States, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Virgin Islands of the United States;
- aquatic nuisance species
- "aquatic nuisance species" means a nonindigenous species that threatens the diversity or abundance of native species or the ecological stability of infested waters, or commercial, agricultural, aquacultural or recreational activities dependent on such waters;
- ballast water
- "ballast water" means any water and associated sediments used to manipulate the trim and stability of a vessel;