Tompkins County, NY Invasive Plant Rules: Prohibited Species (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing law
- Tompkins County Code Ch. 119, Art. I
- Adopted
- 7-17-2012, L.L. No. 4-2012
- Named species
- Eurasian water milfoil, Hydrilla
- Max fine
- $250 per conviction
- Scope
- All county water bodies, incl. Cayuga Lake
Summary
Tompkins County makes it unlawful to introduce, transplant, or transport aquatic invasive plants and animals, such as Eurasian water milfoil and Hydrilla, into any lake, stream, or other water body in the county, and requires boaters to remove all visible plant matter before launching or leaving a water body. Violators face a fine of up to $250.
AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES With respect to waters located and/or accessed in Tompkins County, any aquatic species, whether animal or plant ... Invasive species, as that term is used herein, includes but is not limited to Asian clam (Corbicula fluminea), Eurasian water milfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum), Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata), zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) and quagga mussels (Dreissena bugensis). § ... 119-4. ... Unlawful activities. A. In Tompkins County, it shall be unlawful for any person to: ... (3) Introduce, throw, dump, deposit, place, allow or cause to be propagated, transplanted, introduced, thrown, dumped, deposited or placed in any water body, in whatever capacity and for whatever purpose, an aquatic invasive species.
Full Breakdown
Chapter 119, Article I of the Tompkins County Code, "A Local Law to Prevent the Spread of Aquatic Invasive Species in Tompkins County," was adopted July 17, 2012 in response to the infestation of the invasive submerged aquatic plant Hydrilla verticillata in Cayuga Inlet. Section 119-3 defines "aquatic invasive species" to include "any aquatic species, whether animal or plant," naming Eurasian water milfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) and Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata) as examples, plus any species on the attached county schedule. " That last clause is a general county-wide ban on introducing an invasive plant into any lake, pond, stream, or ditch in Tompkins County, not just a boat-launch rule.
Section 119-5 carves out narrow exceptions: native or noninvasive plants used to camouflage a hunting boat (if sourced from the same water body), plants transported for food, research or landscaping while fully and securely contained on board, and DEC-approved dredging. Removed plant material must be discarded away from the shoreline so it cannot re-enter a water body. Enforcement under § 119-7 runs like a traffic violation, using an appearance ticket procedure similar to the Vehicle and Traffic Law, and a conviction under § 119-6 carries a fine of not more than $250.
Violations & Fines
Introducing, transplanting, or dumping an aquatic invasive plant into any Tompkins County water body, or launching/hauling a watercraft carrying visible invasive plant matter, is a violation under § 119-4. Conviction under § 119-6 carries a fine of up to $250, cited through an appearance ticket process modeled on Vehicle and Traffic Law enforcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Tompkins County ban invasive plants?
What is the fine for violating the invasive species law?
Are there exceptions to the invasive plant ban?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Tompkins County
New York rules heatmap·Compare Tompkins County to another location·View the New York invasive plant rules overview
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