§ 2-17-21 - Nuisance.
SECTION 2-17-21
§ 2-17-21 Nuisance. – The Asian longhorned beetle, Anoplophora glabripennis, a native insect pest ofChina, is known to be a serious insect pest to several tree species within theUnited States, including, but not limited to, maples, willows, poplars, birch,London Plane, and elms. The emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis, also anative insect pest from Asia, is also known to be a serious insect pest toseveral types of ash trees within the United States, including, but not limitedto, green ash, white ash, and black ash. All of the at-risk trees are part ofthe natural environment of Rhode Island and occur on many of the state's publicand private lands, contributing to their value and health. Additionally theseinsects pose substantive risk to the Rhode Island nursery and landscapeindustry plant materials and market opportunities. Accordingly, the Asianlonghorned beetle and emerald ash borer are hereby declared to be publicnuisances, and their suppression is authorized and required. No owner oroccupant of an estate infested with either or both nuisances is by reason ofthat infestation liable to an action, civil or criminal, except to the extentand in the manner and form set forth in §§ 2-17-22 – 2-17-24.