Invasive plant species are a huge problem all over the United States. Nature anticipates that certain plants will co-exist with other certain plants. Nature has its own way of creating an eco-balance.

But when foreign plant species are introduced to a place where they don't belong, real problems can occur. The invasive plants may kill many local desirable plants. This applies to both ornamental vegetation as well as commercial grown plants . This issue is about both aesthetics and money.

Nevada does not take lightly to foreign plant invaders. It has actually legislated them out of existence, or at least that is what it is hoping to do.

The Nevada law requires the inspection and destruction of "noxious weeds." It requires every landowner or occupier, whether private, city, county, or federal, to cut, destroy, or eradicate all noxious weeds as required by a state quarantine officer.

Yes, they call these people "quarantine" officers. You know they are serious about this subject.

The state quarantine officer is required by statute to "ascertain the name of the owner or occupant of infested lands." The officer may then serve a written notice on the owner or occupant to cut, destroy or eradicate the weeds within such a time and in such a manner as described in the notice.

Now, can you imagine being busted for "weed" and the "weed" is really a "weed." I wonder - if you go to jail and your jail mate was arrested for selling marijuana, do you admit that your weed was really a weed, or for stature purposes do you feel compelled to lie and say that it was something else. Just a crazy thought.

If you ignore a notice, the government can come in and eradicate the weed. In that case, the cost of doing so will be placed as a lien on your property.

While the Nevada law seems a little harsh, I assume that Nevada has a substantial invasive weed problem and that is why it has resorted to these methods.

The truth is that invasive species problems exist everywhere in the world, and throughout the United States. Invasive species , both plant and animal, have caused horrible problems which can be researched readily on the internet.

Entire industries have been placed at risk because of this problem. This can really be a serious issue.

Which means that readers must enjoy foreign plants and animals where they are found. Bringing them home is very often a real bad idea.

This wasn't such a problem when people tended to stay put. But now that we are a small world after all, the problem is becoming quite pronounced.

Whether or not you are in Nevada, the message remains the same. Don't cut them, don't cart them, don't take them home. Nature has a certain order which works best when it is not disturbed.

The information provided in this column is written by Stuart Lieberman,a practicing environmental attorney, and is for general information purposes only. It is not legal advice and should not be used in place of legal advice.

Stuart Lieberman, Esq., and IRED.Com, Inc., will not accept any responsibilty for any reliance on the information in this column or any damages whatsoever resulting from reading this column.