National Management Plan: An Action Plan for the Nation - Information Management

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[Executive Summary] | [Introduction] | [Survey of Federal Roles & Responsibilities] | [An Action Plan for the Nation] | [Conclusion] | [Appendices]

Action Plan:
Leadership | Prevention | Detection | Control | Restoration |
International | Research | Info Management | Education

The Council is charged with establishing a coordinated, up-to-date information-sharing system which emphasizes the use of the Internet for documenting, evaluating, and monitoring impacts from invasive species on the economy, the environment, and human and animal health. Although there are many sources of information concerning invasive species, incompatible database formats and other factors impede information sharing. Computer technology will in part help to meet this challenge. However, in many parts of the U.S. and other countries, limited computer resources require less costly solutions and programs to increase access to technology and information.

The Council is currently developing an information "gateway" accessible through the Council's Web site - www.invasivespecies.gov. Information about the Council, its staff and activities, and other related material will be made available. In addition, the Council staff plans to help develop a fully integrated Internet-based network system that eventually will support rapid and accurate discovery of data, the automatic correlation and synthesis of pertinent data from many sources, and provide a presentation of the results of data synthesis that meets the needs of users. The long-term goal is to provide accessible, accurate, referenced, up-to-date, comprehensive, and comprehensible information on invasive species that will be useful to local, State, tribal, Federal managers, scientists, policy-makers, teachers, students, and others. To help ensure that stakeholder needs are met, the Council will form a steering committee that includes State, tribal, Federal, local governments, non-government organizations, the private sector, and other stakeholders. Some basic elements of this site are now in operation, and extensive work is ongoing. In order to fully develop this site, additional resources must be identified.

Actions Planned

47. On an ongoing basis, the Council (with the assistance of the National Agricultural Library, National Biological Information Infrastructure and others) will maintain and enhance its Web site (www.invasivespecies.gov) in consultation with State, tribal, local governments, regional compacts, non-government organizations, the private sector, and other stakeholders. In order to address stakeholders needs, the Council will form a Web site steering committee to advise in the continuing development of its Web site.
    
    
48. The Council will, on a continuing basis, include and update information on internationally relevant agreements, codes of conduct, meetings, publications, experts, programs, and financial resources, as well as regional and global invasive species databases on its Web site.
    
    
49. By July 2001, the Council will post and maintain on the Council's Web site "case studies" highlighting successful regional, State, local, and international management practices to control and respond rapidly to invasive species and helpful suggestions to assist other efforts.
    
    
50. By November 2001, the Council will develop and secure implementation of a memorandum of understanding among appropriate Federal Departments to establish an invasive species assessment and monitoring network comprised of on-the-ground managers of Federal invasive species programs and appropriate technical specialists. The network leadership, in conjunction with Council staff, will work with appropriate Federal, State, and local agency personnel to implement the monitoring recommendations in this Plan.
    
    
51. By January 2002, Interior, USDA, Commerce, EPA and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will develop guidance for managing information concerning invasive species in aquatic and terrestrial environments. The guidance will be developed in consultation with ISAC, FICMNEW, ANSTF, CENR, SI, and other stakeholders and will address:

a. Current and emerging technologies for information collection (e.g., GIS and remote sensing) and data analysis and dissemination, including lower-cost information tools for wide distribution.

b. Standard protocols for information collection and sharing, including taxonomy, identification, inventory and mapping, monitoring, and assessments of invasive species populations.

c. Most effective means and appropriate contacts - including those of the Council - for sharing information with local, State, tribal, Federal, and international agencies, non-governmental organizations, private citizens, and other stakeholders, that link to systems currently underway.

52. By January 2002, the Council Web site will be linked to major U.S. databases, Web sites, and most State information networks that deal with invasive species, and to Web sites in nations that have active invasive species programs, particularly those cooperating with the Global Invasive Species Programme.
    
    
53. By June 2002, the Council, led by USDA, will produce an Invasive Species Compendium for North America. The Compendium, to be published in CD and Internet formats, will include a broad array of searchable information relevant to the biology, distribution, and management of invasive species. The project will be undertaken in close cooperation with CABI on behalf of the GISP and other partners.
    
    
54. By January 2003, subject to available resources, the Council's Web site will include a locator for occurrences of invasive species in the United States within each county.
    
    
55. By June 2003, the Council will provide information about species currently regulated by Federal Departments on the Council's Web site.

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