Section 6048.

(a) The plant hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata) is a noxious aquatic weed not native to the State of California. The Legislature hereby declares that the further introduction and spread of this serious aquatic weed pest would be detrimental to the state, causing irreparable damage to the agricultural industry and recreational use of streams, lakes, and waterways and further that the eradication of this aquatic weed pest is essential to the preservation of the environment.

Hydrilla can be introduced into the state in shipments of fish and aquatic plants for wholesale and retail sale within the state. It can become established when aquariums containing hydrilla are dumped into California's streams, lakes, ponds, and waterways. Subsequent spread is rapid, both naturally and artificially.

(b) It is unlawful to produce, propagate, harvest, possess, sell, or distribute hydrilla as such or incidental to the sale of fish, aquatic plants, or other hosts or possible carriers of hydrilla. The director may adopt quarantine or other regulations which prohibit the importation of hydrilla. Any violation of the regulations or of this section is an infraction punishable by a fine of not more than seventy-five dollars ($75) for the first offense and is a misdemeanor for a second or subsequent offense within three years of a prior conviction of a violation of this section or of the regulations. These penalty provisions do not preclude civil action as provided in Article 2 (commencing with Section 5021) of Chapter 1.

(c) The director shall conduct an ongoing survey and detection program for hydrilla. Whenever and wherever hydrilla is discovered, the director shall immediately investigate the feasibility of eradication. If eradication is feasible, the director shall perform the eradication in cooperation with federal, city, county, and other state agencies taking those steps and actions the director deems necessary.

(Amended by Stats. 1986, Ch. 752, Sec. 5.)