The Maine Natural Areas Program and the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry provide resources for identifying and dealing with invasive species throughout the state. In addition, they make periodic assessments of plants that impact natural and agricultural lands to regulate sales of these plants in the nursery trade. NHCP has developed a brochure to help landowners identify plant species of specific concern to the island community – the brochure can be viewed and downloaded here. The state “do not sell list” has several sub-categories, which the Department of Agriculture, Horticulture Division, outlines on their website:
- Do Not Sell Invasive Plant List: The Do Not Sell List is also sometimes referred to as the Prohibited Plant List or the Banned Plant List. It is illegal to import, export, buy, sell or intentionally propagate for sale the species listed on the Do Not Sell Plant List.
- Watch List of Invasive Plants: Plants on the Watch List have been evaluated using the same criteria as the plants on the Do Not Sell List and while they meet some of the invasive plant criteria, the evidence is insufficient to add the plants to the Do Not Sell List at this time. The Watch List is intended to guide the evaluation process the next time the Invasive Plant Rule is reviewed. The plants on the Watch List may continue to be sold.
- Invasive Species of Special Concern: These species can be sold, but must have a sign or label indicating that the plants may be invasive in some habitats and alternative plants should be considered.