Bill Would Eradicate Invasive Turtles and Require Native Reptiles in New Development Aquascaping

Councilmember Evan Glass has introduced the Native Testudines Protection Act, which would ban and eradicate invasive Red-eared Sliders and other non-native turtles from backyard ponds and require that aquascaping and storm water retention ponds in new construction projects house native Mid-Atlantic reptile species. The Act includes funding for invasive testudines TNR (trap, neuter, release) within Montgomery County parks. Testudines are the order of reptiles which include turtles, terrapins, and tortoises.

From the Office of Councilmember Evan Glass: “Montgomery County Councilmember Evan Glass has introduced the Native Testudines Protection Act, a forward-looking proposal to eliminate the scourge of invasive Red-eared and Yellow-bellied Sliders and promote the placement of native turtles in backyard ponds and new developments across the County.

This legislation would require relocation, or sterilization (TNR), of invasive turtles from existing ponds and require all aquascaping in new construction projects include reptile species native to the Mid-Atlantic region.

The legislation funds Montgomery Parks with 14 million dollars for the Invasive Slider TNR program, allowing for the humane capture, spay/neutering and release of Red-eared Sliders, Yellow-bellied Sliders and Florida Cooters. By thwarting reproduction, experts say invasive sliders will be eradicated in 80-100 years.

Top row, L to R: Northern Map Turtle, Spotted Turtle, Eastern Painted Turtle. Bottom: Florida Cooter, Yellow-bellied Slider, Red-eared Slider

“Invasive turtles are crowding out our beautiful native species and are detrimental to the health of our natural ecosystems. They feed on aquatic plants, insects, crayfish, snails, tadpoles, fish, and small frogs. They compete with our native turtle species for basking spots, nesting spots, food, and other resources," said Councilmember Glass.

"I’ve made it my priority to make our community greener for current and future residents, and this legislation is an important step in making Montgomery County a model for sustainable aquascaping and native reptile protection.”

Red-eared slider turtles are not native to Maryland. They are naturally found in the southern United States and were introduced by people releasing pet turtles into the wild. They typically lay between 2 and 30 eggs per clutch, and they may lay 1 to 5 clutches per season, potentially introducing 180 hatchlings into the wild each year. This explosive growth has made them endemic to nearly every pond and lake in the County.

The Native Testudines Protection Act is scheduled for a public hearing on June 31 at 1:30 p.m. at the County Council chambers in Rockville. Residents can sign up to testify or submit written testimony online here.”