REGULATIONS
Vol. 28 Iss. 24 - July 30, 2012

TITLE 4. CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES
BOARD OF GAME AND INLAND FISHERIES
Chapter 30
Proposed Regulation

Title of Regulation: 4VAC15-30. Definitions and Miscellaneous: Importation, Possession, Sale, Etc., of Animals (amending 4VAC15-30-40).

Statutory Authority: §§ 29.1-103, 29.1-501, and 29.1-502 of the Code of Virginia.

Public Hearing Information:

August 14, 2012 - 9 a.m. - Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, 4000 West Broad Street, Richmond, VA

Public Comment Deadline: August 4, 2012.

Agency Contact: Phil Smith, Regulatory Coordinator, Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, 4016 West Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23230, telephone (804) 367-8341, or email phil.smith@dgif.virginia.gov.

Summary:

The proposed amendments (i) add the marbled crayfish to the list of predatory and undesirable specie, whose introduction into Virginia would be detrimental to the native fish and wildlife of the Commonwealth, thereby prohibiting the importation, possession, or sale of these species without a permit; and (ii) update the list to reflect current common and scientific names.

4VAC15-30-40. Importation requirements, possession and sale of nonnative (exotic) animals.

A. Permit required. A special permit is required and may be issued by the department, if consistent with the department's fish and wildlife management program, to import, possess, or sell those nonnative (exotic) animals listed below and in 4VAC15-20-210 that the board finds and declares to be predatory or undesirable within the meaning and intent of § 29.1-542 of the Code of Virginia, in that their introduction into the Commonwealth will be detrimental to the native fish and wildlife resources of Virginia:


AMPHIBIANS:

Order

Family

Genus/Species

Common Name

Anura

Buforidae Bufonidae

Bufo marinus Rhinella marina

Giant or marine toad* Cane toad*

Pipidae

Hymenochirus spp. Pseudohymenochiris merlini

African dwarf frog

Xenopus spp.

Tongueless or African clawed frog

Caudata

Ambystomatidae

Ambystoma tigrium mavortium

Barred tiger salamander

A. t. diaboli

Gray tiger salamander

A. t. melanostictum

Blotched tiger salamander

BIRDS:

Order

Family

Genus/Species

Common Name

Psittaciformes

Psittacidae

Myiopsitta monachus

Monk parakeet*

Anseriformes

Anatidae

Cygnus olor

Mute swan

FISH:

Order

Family

Genus/Species

Common Name

Cypriniformes

Catostomidae

Ictiobus bubalus

Smallmouth* buffalo

I. cyprinellus

Bigmouth* buffalo

I. niger

Black buffalo*

Characidae

Pygopristis spp.
Pygocentrus spp.
Rooseveltiella spp.
Serrasalmo spp.
Serrasalmus spp.
Taddyella spp.

Piranhas

Cyprinidae

Aristichyhys nobilis

Bighead carp*

Ctenopharyngodon idella

Grass carp or white amur

Cyprinella lutrensis

Red shiner

Hypophthalmichthys molitrix

Silver carp*

Mylopharyngodom piceus

Black carp*

Scardinius erythrophthalmus

Rudd

Tinca tinca

Tench*

Gobiesociformes

Gobiidae

Proterorhinus marmoratus

Tubenose goby

Neogobius melanostomus

Round goby

Perciformes

Channidae

Channa spp.
Parachanna spp.

Snakeheads

Cichlidae

Tilapia spp.

Tilapia

Gymnocephalus cernuum

Ruffe*

Siluriformes

Clariidae

All species

Air-breathing catfish

Synbranchiformes

Synbranchidae

Monopterus albus

Swamp eel

MAMMALS:

Order

Family

Genus/Species

Common Name

Artiodactyla

Suidae

All Species

Pigs or Hogs*

Cervidae

All Species

Deer*

Carnivora

Canidae

All Species

Wild Dogs*, Wolves, Coyotes or Coyote hybrids, Jackals and Foxes

Ursidae

All Species

Bears*

Procyonidae

All Species

Raccoons and* Relatives

Mustelidae

All Species
(except Mustela putorius furo)

Weasels, Badgers,* Skunks and Otters

Ferret

Viverridae

All Species

Civets, Genets,* Lingsangs, Mongooses, and Fossas

Herpestidae

All Species

Mongooses*

Hyaenidae

All Species

Hyenas and Aardwolves*

Protelidae

Proteles cristatus

Aardwolf*

Felidae

All Species

Cats*

Chiroptera

All Species

Bats*

Lagomorpha

Lepridae

Lepus europeaeous

European hare

Oryctolagus cuniculus

European rabbit

Rodentia

All species native to Africa

All species native to Africa

Sciuridae

Cynomys spp.

Prairie dogs

MOLLUSKS:

Order

Family

Genus/Species

Common Name

Neotaenioglossa

Hydrobiidae

Potamopyrgus antipodarum

New Zealand mudsnail

Veneroida

Dreissenidae

Dreissena bugensis

Quagga mussel

Dreissena polymorpha

Zebra mussel

REPTILES:

Order

Family

Genus/Species

Common Name

Squamata

Alligatoridae

All species

Alligators, caimans*

Colubridae

Boiga irregularis

Brown tree snake*

Crocodylidae

All species

Crocodiles*

Gavialidae

All species

Gavials*

CRUSTACEANS:

Order

Family

Genus/Species

Common Name

Decapoda

Cambaridae

Orconectes rusticus

Rusty crayfish

Procambarus sp.

Marbled crayfish

Parastacidae

Cherax spp.

Australian crayfish

Varunidea

Eriocheir sinensis

Chinese mitten crab


B. Temporary possession permit for certain animals. Notwithstanding the permitting requirements of subsection A, a person, company or corporation possessing any nonnative (exotic) animal, designated with an asterisk (*) in subsection A, prior to July 1, 1992, must declare such possession in writing to the department by January 1, 1993. This written declaration shall serve as a permit for possession only, is not transferable, and must be renewed every five years. This written declaration must include species name, common name, number of individuals, date or dates acquired, sex (if possible), estimated age, height or length, and other characteristics such as bands and band numbers, tattoos, registration numbers, coloration, and specific markings. Possession transfer will require a new permit according to the requirements of this subsection.

C. Exception for certain monk parakeets. A permit is not required for monk parakeets (quakers) that have been captive bred and are closed-banded with a seamless band.

D. Exception for parts or products. A permit is not required for parts or products of those nonnative (exotic) animals listed in subsection A that may be used for personal use, in the manufacture of products, or used in scientific research, provided that such parts or products be packaged outside the Commonwealth by any person, company, or corporation duly licensed by the state in which the parts originate. Such packages may be transported into the Commonwealth, consistent with other state laws and regulations, so long as the original package remains unbroken, unopened and intact until its point of destination is reached. Documentation concerning the type and cost of the animal parts ordered, the purpose and date of the order, point and date of shipping, and date of receiving shall be kept by the person, business or institution ordering such nonnative (exotic) animal parts. Such documentation shall be open to inspection by a representative of the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.

E. Exception for certain mammals. Nonnative (exotic) mammals listed in subsection A, except members of the Cervidae family, African rodents, and prairie dogs, that are imported or possessed by dealers, exhibitors, transporters, and researchers who are licensed or registered by the United States Department of Agriculture under the Animal Welfare Act (7 USC §§ 2131 et seq.) will be deemed to be permitted pursuant to this section, provided that those individuals wanting to import such animals notify the department 24 hours prior to importation with a list of animals to be imported, a schedule of dates and locations where those animals will be housed while in the Commonwealth, and a copy of the current license or licenses or registration or registrations from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and further provided that such animals shall not be liberated within the Commonwealth.

F. Exception for prairie dogs. The effective date of listing of prairie dogs under subsection A of this section shall be January 1, 1998. Prairie dogs possessed in captivity in Virginia on December 31, 1997, may be maintained in captivity until the animals' deaths, but they may not be sold on or after January 1, 1998, without a permit.

G. Exception for snakehead fish. Anglers may legally harvest snakehead fish of the family Channidea, provided that they immediately kill such fish and that they notify the department, as soon as practicable, of such actions.

H. All other nonnative (exotic) animals. All other nonnative (exotic) animals not listed in subsection A of this section may be possessed, purchased, and sold; provided, that such animals shall be subject to all applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations, including those that apply to threatened/endangered species, and further provided, that such animals shall not be liberated within the Commonwealth.

VA.R. Doc. No. R12-3326; Filed July 11, 2012, 1:46 a.m.