National
Management Plan: Appendix 2 - Summary of Federal Roles and Responsibilities
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2 - Summary of Federal Roles and Responsibilities
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[Executive
Summary] | [Introduction] | [Survey of Federal Roles & Responsibilities]
| [An Action Plan for the Nation]
| [Conclusion] | [Appendices]
Appendix 2 provides additional
information about Federal programs dealing with invasive species,
and is intended to supplement the chapter on Federal Roles and
Responsibilities of the Plan. Although it is more detailed, it
does not represent a complete list of all programs pertaining
to invasive species. It is organized according to the overall
goals of the effort, including: prevention, control and management,
international measures, and education and outreach.
Prevention
Department of Agriculture
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) within
the Department of Agriculture (USDA) is the primary agency charged
with preventing invasive species from entering the country. APHIS
authority arises from laws such as the Plant Protection Act and
a number of statues collectively referred to as the animal quarantine
laws. Using current authorities, APHIS can prohibit, inspect,
treat, quarantine, or require mitigation measures prior to allowing
entry of plant species, plant pests, biological control organisms,
animals, animal products and by-products, or their host commodities
or conveyances. These laws also authorize APHIS to prevent the
introduction and dissemination of diseases and pests of livestock
and poultry. APHIS has a number of domestic quarantines in place
to prevent invasive species from moving within the country. In
addition, APHIS "preclears" some shipments of plants
or plant products and animal or animal products through inspection
and quarantine in the country of origin to ensure that they are
free of certain invasive species prior to arrival at a U.S. port
of entry. APHIS is involved with overseas control and eradication
of some invasive pest species, such as screwworm and medfly.
APHIS also regulates the importation/exportation of veterinary
biological products intended to treat animal disease and prohibits
the importation or shipment of any products that are contaminated,
dangerous, or harmful. APHIS prevention efforts are collaborative
and draw on the knowledge, technology, and operational support
of a broad array of Federal, State, and non-Federal partners.
One of USDA's research arms,
Agriculture Research Service (ARS), provides support to its regulatory
and action agency partners providing taxonomic and identification
expertise, monitoring methods for targeted pests, and developing
eradication technology for invasive species.
The Forest Service (FS) has authority
over forest pests and management of invasive species in its 192
million acre national forest and grasslands system. The FS has
broad authority to prevent the spread of invasive species onto
National Forest System (NFS) lands, and is authorized to assist
other Federal, State, and private entities in preventing the
spread of invasive species onto non-Federal lands under its cooperative
authorities. In addition, the FS provides research and development
support to USDA's action programs to prevent invasive species
problems. For example, FS works closely with APHIS to develop
risk assessments to prevent the introduction of pests into the
U.S., and conducts research relating to the prevention of introductions
of invasive species.
Natural Resource Conservation
Service (NRCS) has authority to aid in prevention through education
and outreach funded by cost-share programs and conservation technical
assistance.
Department of Defense
The Defense Transportation Regulation
provides direction for the routine maintenance and washing of
vehicles after field operations to remove mud/particulate matter
which, in addition to extending the life of the vehicle, also
prevents introduction of invasive or exotic species. The regulation
requires conformance to U.S. Customs/APHIS requirements for international
transport. Defense's Medical Service Quarantine Regulations are
intended to prevent the introduction and dissemination, domestically
or elsewhere, of diseases of humans, plants, or animals, prohibited
or illegally taken wildlife, arthropod vectors, and pests of
health and agricultural importance.
The U.S. Navy conducts numerous
control and management efforts, including: ballast water and
anchor system management practices; participation in the Aquatic
Nuisance Species Task Force's (ANSTF) Ballast Water and Shipping
Committee meetings; working with Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) to jointly establish Uniform National Discharge Standards
(UNDS) for management of liquid discharges (including clean ballast
water) from vessels of Armed Forces; and pest management of ships,
aircraft, and shore facilities.
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Early
Detection and Rapid Response
Department of Agriculture
APHIS has emergency authority
to deal with incipient invasions and works in cooperation with
other Federal agencies, State departments of agriculture and
other State agencies, academia, regional and local agencies,
and non-governmental stakeholders. APHIS has several programs
which address early detection and rapid response issues. For
example, APHIS sponsors the Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey
Program (CAPS). Through the CAPS program, cooperation and collaboration
with State regulators and university cooperators results in surveys
for a number of identified high-priority pests. Through the State
CAPS coordinator's office, data is routinely entered and summarized,
and survey findings are disseminated to interested parties. The
National Agriculture Pest Information System (NAPIS) is a nationally
coordinated web-based information and data system that includes
the survey results and ancillary survey and pest information
for many species that are non-endemic, and considered to be potential
invasive species. Summaries of survey and interception results
are provided at county-level resolution and, in many cases, can
be presented as maps. Many surveys are conducted in areas surrounding
ports of entry as well as follow-up surveys at locations, such
as warehouses, that received shipments of items coming through
the ports.
When entry of a new plant pest
is detected, a New Pest Advisory Group (NPAG) is convened. An
NPAG consists of knowledgeable experts (both federal and non-federal)
who are charged with recommending the appropriate response to
be taken. The agency then follows up on the recommendations of
the NPAG. In the case of an invasive animal or poultry disease,
Veterinary Services, a unit within APHIS, moves rapidly to contain
and then eradicate the disease. Veterinary Services performs
regular surveillance for foreign animal diseases and pests of
livestock and poultry. Private veterinary practitioners that
have been through a foreign animal disease training process and
are accredited by USDA report through an established process
all suspect foreign animal disease cases encountered when these
veterinarians visit sick animals. Other private veterinary practitioners
are required to report all suspect animal disease cases to State
authorities. State authorities then assign a USDA accredited
veterinarian to investigate and report on the suspect case. Once
a disease or pest has been confirmed by the National Veterinary
Services Laboratories as a foreign animal disease or pest, an
emergency response is implemented through the Regional Emergency
Animal Disease Eradication Organization.
FS works to identify and control
new or incipient invasions of invasive species through its research
and cooperative authorities. FS research and development provides
critical information and technology for early detection and rapid
response. FS has rapid response teams which respond, primarily
in cooperation with APHIS, to major insect and disease outbreaks
and conduct studies in support of these efforts. In addition,
FS has databases under development with direct benefits to early
detection and rapid response (Exotic Forest Pest Information
System and the Weed Invaders Database). FS's ability to respond
to invasive species is hampered by the absence of a flexible
funding mechanism that would allow research and operations relating
to newly introduced invasive species to be accelerated within
the year of introduction. Currently, funding for new control,
research, and development activities, which are essential for
early eradication and containment, are not appropriated for one
to two fiscal years after the introduction occurs.
ARS provides research in support
of early detection and rapid response activities of its regulatory
and action agency partners by confirming identifications of invasive
species, developing eradication technology, and taking part in
rapid response teams.
NRCS provides information on
invasive and noxious plants through the PLANTS Web site, (http://plants.usda.gov). NRCS
field office staff also work with the Cooperative extension to
disburse information on invasive species and their control. The
NRCS National Plant Data Center has developed an alpha version
of an automated plant identification tool that permits users
to identify plant species. Wetland plant and grass data have
been developed cooperatively for this tool by the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service (FWS), NRCS, EPA, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
(CE), North Carolina Botanical Garden-Biota of North America
Program, and the University of Northeastern Louisiana. An interagency
effort to develop invasive plant data for this tool would assist
field staff immensely. Also, NRCS, FS, and APHIS are cooperating
to develop a module on the PLANTS Web site that will enable professionals
and the public to review known distributional data and submit
new county records, including their supporting data. These records
will be funneled back through the Early Detection and Rapid Response
network to the field level, where they can be closely watched
in the event something elevates to a higher concern.
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Control,
Management and Restoration
Department of Agriculture
FS manages 192 million acres
and, in its report Stemming the Invasive Tide, the Forest
Service Strategy for noxious and non-native invasive plant management,
lays out priorities of prevention, eradication, and control.
FS has authority to control Federal and State listed noxious
weeds as well as invasive plants, insects, and pathogens deemed
to cause environmental or economic damage through local forest
and grassland management plans. FS also manages forest pests
on National Forest System lands and provides funding, research
and development, and technical assistance and advice for insect
and disease control on private lands, as well as cost share and
grant programs. FS has direct authority to control invasive plants
in the Pacific Islands. The Wyden Amendment (temporary authority)
allows Federal funds to be used on lands adjoining Federal lands.
Many FS timber sale contracts and service contracts have provisions
that permit FS to lessen risk of spread of "unwelcome"
noxious weeds. FS research and development provides research
in support of control, management, and restoration activities
for forest ecosystems and rangelands.
APHIS authority for control and
management of invasive species, both plant and animal, are authorized
and limited by the same authorities used to prevent the introduction
or dissemination of plant pests and animal diseases. Examples
of APHIS involvement in this area include participation with
FS in the Slow-The-Spread program to control gypsy moth. Another
example is the cooperative Boll Weevil Eradication Program, initiated
in 1983. The program is designed to eliminate the cotton boll
weevil, an invasive pest that has plagued the U.S. cotton industry
for over 100 years. Moving in a series of sequential expansions
across the southern cotton-producing states, the program is scheduled
for completion in 2005. The cooperative program involves USDA,
States, and cotton growers - usually organized into statewide
or regional foundations. APHIS provided the initial program management
and direction, but as the program matured and demonstrated its
ability to succeed, cotton growers assumed greater responsibility
for daily program operations. APHIS continues to provide technical
support and limited cost-share funding (5% in FY 2000) along
with the Farm Service Agency-sponsored low interest loans. Regulatory
authority for the program rests with the participating States.
Wildlife Services (WS), a unit
of APHIS, assists in solving problems involving damage or hazards
caused by invasive species. When requested, WS provides help
through technical assistance, direct control, and research of
invasive vertebrate pest species to Federal, State, local, tribal,
and other partners. WS has conducted operational activities on
a minimum of 44 species of invasive animals, including 17 species
of invasive mammals, 25 species of invasive birds, and 2 species
of invasive reptiles. Since its introduction in the late 1940s,
the invasive brown tree snake has been detrimental to the native
fauna of Guam. The snake has eliminated 8 species of birds, 2
species of bats, and several reptiles. The invasive snake is
also detrimental to the electric utility industry, as well as
a threat to human health and safety. WS conducts operations in
Guam and Hawaii aimed at keeping the invasive brown tree snake
from reaching other destinations. WS' National Wildlife Research
Center (NWRC), has developed and registered a toxicant in of
control brown tree snake. NWRC is also developing snake lures
and irritants, along with delivery systems for these products,
to improve brown tree snake control programs.
ARS provides holistic, ecosystem-level
research in support of control, management, and restoration activities
in cooperation with its land management agency partners. ARS
develops integrated pest management programs, area-wide pest
management programs, weed management areas, and biological, chemical,
and cultural control strategies, emphasizing biologically based
approaches where possible, and incorporating restoration, revegetation,
and rehabilitation of ecosystems where appropriate. Restoration
is particularly important to integrate with biological control
of weeds programs. ARS now requires this integration for their
biological control of weeds programs.
NRCS works primarily with private
landowners and is simultaneously linked to local, State, and
other Federal agencies as well as non-governmental organizations,
through State technical committees and county level local working
groups in each of the 3000 Soil and Water Conservation Districts.
This relationship includes sharing technical advice or recommendations
regarding invasive species control, and management of healthy
ecosystems in order to preclude the displacement of native and
non-invasive species by invasive species. In addition, NRCS plays
a large role in land restoration following catastrophic events
through the Emergency Watershed Program. Following flooding,
fires, and other types of natural destruction, NRCS provides
technical and financial assistance to help restore land to its
native and/or desirable non-invasive species pre-disturbance
composition. NRCS is the major natural resource conservation
information provider to private landowners, including invasive
species information. Integrated state noxious weed lists, invasive
plant lists, links to key sources of weed species biology and
management information throughout the U.S. and the world, and
Plant Guides used for restoring native plant communities are
provided through the NRCS PLANTS Web site. PLANTS will exhibit
APHIS information on key foreign species that are high threats
targeted for exclusion.
Cooperative State Research, Education,
and Extension (CSREES), through its partnership with the Land
Grant University System, supports research, extension and education
efforts aimed at control, management, and restoration in all
50 states (3,150 counties), the District of Columbia, and the
6 territories. These efforts include participation by scientists
and educators at other non-land grant universities and from private
sector organizations. In addition, CSREES supports surveys, eradication,
and management efforts with both formula-based and competitive
funding. These funds have supported a broad spectrum of technologies,
philosophies, and methodologies.
Department of Commerce
Under the Nonindigenous Aquatic
Nuisance Prevention and Control Act, National Oceanic Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA) (together with FWS) has responsibility
for control and management of invasive aquatic species. NOAA's
Sea Grant program has been actively involved in research on methods
to reduce the impact of zebra mussels and a number of other species.
Although set up for other purposes, NOAA also has programs to
deal with pathogens and parasites of shellfish and threats to
essential fish habitat that have involved control of invasive
species.
The NOAA Restoration Center within
the National Marine Fisheries Service is engaged in restoration
activities to restore coastal and estuarine habitats, to advance
the science underlying habitat restoration, and to transfer restoration
technology to the private and public sectors. Projects involve
on-the-ground habitat restoration. Invasive species removal and
native habitat restoration is often a component of these projects.
The program has removed invasive species from bays and estuaries
in Florida, Hawaii, Massachusetts, and the State of Washington.
An effort is made to develop techniques to make restoration areas
more resistant to invasive species, (e.g., improving salt-water
circulation, correcting tidal heights, and increasing native
plant density).
Department of Defense
The Department of Defense (Defense)
manages over 25 million acres of lands within military installations.
Defense controls and manages invasive species in accordance with
the individual plans governing each installation or base. The
goals of Defense's Invasive Species Management Program are prevention,
control of invasive species present on Defense installations,
and restoration using native plants. Defense Instruction 4715.3
Environmental Conservation Program addresses ecosystem management,
biodiversity conservation, and maintaining and restoring native
ecosystems to support the military mission of the installation.
Defense Instruction 4150.7 Pest Management Program establishes
and assigns responsibilities for a safe, effective, and environmentally
sound integrated pest management program for the prevention and
control of pests and disease vectors that may adversely impact
readiness or military operations by affecting health of personnel
or damaging structures, materiel or property. These two instructions
require compliance with applicable U.S. statutes, regulations,
Executive Orders, binding international agreements, other legal
requirements, and U.S. environmental, safety, occupational health,
explosives safety, fire and emergency services, and pest management
policies.
Defense maintains Master Memoranda
of Agreement with the Departments of Agriculture (USDA) and Interior
(Interior). The agreements cover research requirements of mutual
concern between Defense and the two Departments. USDA and Interior
are to coordinate requirements and consider Defense as one of
their constituent customers when developing their respective
research requirements. Invasive species have been included in
these requirements.
The U.S. Army Environmental Center
and the Army Corps of Engineers Laboratories (working with the
Installation operators) have developed an Integrated Training
Area Management (ITAM) Program for restoration. They engage contractors
to restore training areas and protect them from erosion, loss
of endangered species habitat, and degradation of land resources
for training, which in turn may help such areas resist establishment
by invasive species. Through this program and the National Defense
Industrial Association, Defense can assist in restoration efforts.
CE has a number of control programs,
including the Aquatic Plant Control Program, Zebra Mussel Program,
and the Removal of Aquatic Growth Program. It is also authorized
to implement a 50/50 Federal/local cost arrangement with State
and local governments for managing nuisance aquatic plants in
waterways not under the control of the CE or other Federal agencies.
Department of the Interior
The Bureau of Land Management
(BLM) focuses primarily on controlling invasive plants, which
has been identified as a top priority for the agency (Congressional
Research Service 1999) and has implemented an action plan, called
Partners Against Weeds, to prevent and control the spread of
noxious weeds on public lands. APHIS regulates animal pests on
BLM land under a memorandum of understanding between the two
agencies.
The National Park Service (NPS)
manages more than 83 million acres, and approximately 200 parks
have identified exotic species as an important resource management
threat. NPS' management policies prohibit the introduction of
exotic invasive species to a few situations and requires the
use of an Integrated Pest Management approach to remove or control
exotic species on NPS units. As part of its regulation of fishing
in park units, NPS prohibits the use of most bait fish (live
or dead), except in specially designated waters in order to reduce
the likelihood of the introduction or spread of invasive species.
FWS has multiple programs to
address management and control of invasive species. FWS works
with ANSTF and leads efforts to develop and implement cooperative
plans to manage and control infestations of aquatic nuisance
species across the country. The National Wildlife Refuge System
has invasive species teams that are currently reviewing strategies
and recommending potential pilot projects involving invasive
species. In addition, invasive species issues are being included
within comprehensive conservation plans that are being written
for refuge units. FWS also has several habitat restoration programs
that restore habitat degraded by invasive species as part of
their overall habitat restoration activities.
The Bureau of Reclamation (BOR)
is responsible for programs that control invasive species which
infest water systems, including reservoirs, rivers, distribution
canals, etc. Species such as zebra mussels, Chinese mitten crabs,
hydrilla, and water hyacinth obstruct water flow, reduce recreational
access, and can cause structural damage. BOR manages invasive
species through its Integrated Pest Management Program under
its basic operation and management authority and various reclamation-enabling
statutes and directives.
The Minerals Management Service
(MMS) recognizes the increasing importance of invasive species.
As a result, they have increased research of invasive species.
They recently committed $100,000 to a "Survey of the Relationship
of the Australian Spotted Jellyfish, Phyllorihiza puncta,
and OCS platforms" in the Gulf of Mexico. Invasive species
are being introduced into the Gulf of Mexico, and offshore oil
and gas platforms in the Gulf are habitat for these species as
well as potential vectors of distribution. Oil and gas exploration
in the Gulf can at times involve exploratory drilling rigs originating
from locations outside the Gulf, as well as foreign ships, whose
hulls and ballast water often carry invasive species. The presence
of oil and gas platforms has promoted the dispersion of species
otherwise not found in the offshore region. In the coming years,
MMS will become more involved in the invasive species issue.
Environmental Protection
Agency
Under the Federal Insecticide,
Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), EPA has regulatory authority
over certification of such compounds and may place limits on
the conditions under which they may be used. In addition, EPA
is the lead agency for administration of the National Environmental
Policy Act, which may require production of an environmental
assessment document for control activities.
Department of Transportation
The Federal Highway Administration
(FHWA) has an oversight role in federally funded highway projects
that include both Interstate and State highways. FHWA's Vegetation
Management Program guides State departments of transportation
on invasive species issues. Guidance on E.O. 13112 was issued
to the States in September 1999, encouraging inventory and integrated
management of roadside weeds before-and-after projects. The guidance
requires invasive species assessment during the NEPA process.
The FHWA continues to provide technical support to all States
on this vegetation issue.
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Research
and Monitoring
Department of Agriculture
ARS and FS play a critical role
in conducting research on the prevention, eradication, and control
of agricultural invasive species and conducts critical research
on monitoring ecosystems impacted by invasive species.
ARS is also responsible for evaluating
new agricultural nonindigenous species before they can be commercially
distributed. ARS has established new research partnerships for
integrated management of invasive species through its area-wide
pest management program, in which partnerships with Federal,
State, and local groups are developed. ARS also provides leadership
in developing biological control technologies for invasive species,
including foreign exploration for natural enemies of the pests,
risk assessment and host-specificity testing of high-priority
candidate biological control agents, field release and evaluation,
and restoration, revegetation, and rehabilitation of affected
areas. ARS budgeted $70 million for this effort in FY 1999.
FS has a research branch focused
on issues of environmental concern to forests, rangelands and
wetlands. FS is the lead research agency for invasive insects,
diseases, and pathogens which affect forests, and is actively
engaged in research of invasive species on range and grasslands.
FS has an active biological control research program with foreign
exploration supporting domestic projects. FS also supports technology
development for control, monitoring, and restoration.
NRCS's Plant Materials Centers
(PMC) play a role in research through plant screening efforts
investigating new species for their potential invasiveness and
usefulness as an agronomic or conservation substitute in the
event a suitable native species is not available. PMC can contribute
technical assistance in the development of native seed banks.
The PLANTS database can be used to monitor the spread of invasive
species through a particular habitat, and through additional
funding, the PMC have the potential to contribute technical assistance
in the development of native seed banks.
CSREES works primarily through
the Land Grant University System to support research and extension
scientists who engage stakeholders and citizen volunteers regarding
invasive species issues. Funding opportunities for these scientists
include formula funds, special grants, and competitive grants.
Department of Commerce
NOAA has a major role in research
regarding invasive aquatic species under the Nonindigenous Aquatic
Nuisance Prevention and Control Act. NOAA's Sea Grant program
manages a competitive research grant program for all aspects
of aquatic nuisance species issues, including for the development
of ballast water management technology. Under the program, research
projects cover a wide range of issues from prevention to control
to ecological monitoring. Funding for this program, which includes
outreach, has averaged about $2.8 million per year.
In addition, NOAA's National Ocean Service has recognized the
importance of monitoring for non-native species within marine
sanctuaries and estuarine research reserves and is inaugurating
a monitoring program in these areas.
Department of Defense
CE has a number of research programs
focused on invasive species. The Aquatic Plant Control Research
Program (APCRP) has provided effective, economical, and environmentally
compatible technologies for identifying, assessing and managing
aquatic plant problems for over 30 years. The Zebra Mussel Program
is the only federally authorized research program for zebra mussel
control.
Department of the Interior
The USGS assists resource managers
to obtain reliable information on invasive species, develop methods
and tools to better prevent and control invasions, and to reduce
their impacts on ecosystems and native species.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
Biological Monitoring and Research Program includes research
in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, including invasive plants,
vertebrates, invertebrates, and wildlife disease organisms. Emphasis
is given to areas administered by Interior and regions that are
particularly threatened by invasive species, such as Hawaii,
western rangelands, wetlands, the Great Lakes, and eastern waterways.
The program includes: identification and reporting of new invasions
and assessment of their environmental risks; methods for monitoring
invasions (including remote sensing and GPS technologies), field
sampling, and geographic information systems; determination of
the effects of invasive species and the susceptibility of habitats
to invasions; control approaches, with emphasis on reducing invasion
impacts and restoring ecosystem processes and native species;
and the development of invasive species information systems,
including a national database on nonindigenous aquatic species.
USGS is integrating invasive species information from domestic
and international sources as part of the National Biological
Information Infrastructure, and is working in partnership with
the National Agricultural Library (NAL) to assist in developing
the Council's Web site, discussed in Section 3 of the Plan.
The primary responsibility of
the Biological Resources Division (BRD) within USGS is to assist
resource and land managers (particularly those within Interior's
agencies) by providing sound biological information and assisting
in applying that information to the managers' needs. Thus, the
BRD's mission is to "work with others to provide the scientific
understanding and technologies needed to support the sound management
and conservation of our Nation's biological resources."
Investigating the causes, effects, prevention, and management
of invasive and nonindigenous organisms with an eye to developing
effective management solutions is one of BRD's identified scientific
programs.
NPS is establishing 32 inventories
and monitoring networks throughout the Service. The parks within
each network are linked geographically and share natural resource
characteristics. These networks will provide the parks with inventory
and monitoring capabilities for priority needs within each network.
Most of these networks have identified exotic or invasive species
monitoring, as a high priority need.
Environmental Protection
Agency
EPA's research activities include
evaluation of ecological indicators (including non-native species)
for surface waters, the effects of non-native species on wetland
restoration, and studies on non-native submerged aquatic vegetation.
In addition, EPA's research grant program is in the process of
funding several million dollars of research on "biological
pollution". There are other programs that can be modified
to contribute to the overall assessment of invasive species.
Two examples are the Environmental Monitoring and Assessment
Program (EMAP) and Regional Vulnerability Assessment program
(ReVA).
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International
Measures
Department of Agriculture
APHIS is involved in a number
of bilateral, regional, and global plant and animal international
conventions and agreements that deal with invasive species. Most
significant at the global level is APHIS involvement with the
World Trade Organization on the international agreement referred
to as the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures,
which covers measures adopted to protect plant or animal life
or health, which may affect international trade. A number of
global standards for protection from invasive plant pests are
currently under development (via International Plant Protection
Convention). Standards for protection from invasive animal pests
(via the Office International Des Epizooties) are currently being
developed.
ARS works in partnership with
international groups with common interests in invasive species,
including Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada; Commonwealth Agriculture
Bureau International (CABI) Bioscience, UK; Commonwealth Scientific
and Industrial Research Organization, Australia; EMBRAPA, Brazil;
North American Plant Protection Organization; International Organization
for Biological Control; and many others. ARS manages six overseas
biological control laboratories (in France, Italy, Greece, Australia,
China and Argentina), which facilitate foreign exploration for
natural enemies of invasive species. This extensive network of
contacts allows ARS to respond quickly to discoveries of new
invasive species.
FS, through its International
Programs (IP), provides assistance that promotes sustainable
development, including cooperating with domestic and international
organizations that further international programs for the protection
of forests, rangelands, wildlife, and fisheries, and for related
activities. These programs also provide assistance to appropriate
partners for the prevention and control of insects and diseases.
The budget for invasive species for FY 2000 is $1.5 million.
It focuses on biological and chemical control of the Asian long-horned
beetle, kudzu, mile-a-minute weed, and beech bark scale. FS IP
also supports projects to help assess current and potential plant
species affecting the Pacific Islands and to provide this information
to agricultural and customs inspectors in those countries, providing
a first line of defense to invasions into Hawaii, Guam and Compact
countries.
CSREES works in partnership with
international groups in a number of different ways when there
are common interests regarding invasive species. Multi-State
research and extension invasive species projects often have members
from Canada or Mexico on issues that cross those borders.
Department of Commerce
NOAA is actively engaged in projects
that integrate research with education on aquatic invasives in
several regions shared by the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Under
the Council of Commission on Environmental Co-Operation (CEC),
NOAA is leading a project to address aquatic pathways of invasion
in North America. These projects depend heavily upon partnerships
with our neighboring countries for their success and provide
a strong foundation on which to build a North American strategy
on invasive species. NOAA's expertise on marine invasives is
also needed in other regions, e.g., South Pacific Environmental
Programme (SPREP).
Department of Defense
Defense has the responsibility
to ensure that movement of U.S. military personnel, equipment,
and supplies around the world does not provide a pathway for
invasions by non-native species. To this end, Defense actively
supports research, education, and policy development in such
areas as brown tree snake containment and control, ballast water
and aquatic weed management, and military quarantine. Defense
also undertakes agreements on the management of invasive species
with defense departments in other nations through bilateral,
trilateral or multilateral agreements and supports the development
and implementation of regional programs of cooperation on invasive
species, such as SPREP.
Department of the Interior
Interior supports work on invasive
species internationally through a wide variety of scientific,
technical, and policy activities. For example: the USGS's BRD
coordinates and promotes the invasive species components of the
Inter-American Biodiversity Information Network (IABIN) and the
North American Biodiversity Information Network (NABIN). BLM
is leading efforts to exchange information and technical capacity
on "best practices" for the management invasive species
with South Africa through the U.S.-South Africa Binational Commission.
NPS partners with other countries around the world to help conserve
biodiversity within protected areas. The Secretary of the Interior
has delegated FWS the lead in U.S. negotiations on invasive species
under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species
of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and plans to support development
of a Global Invasive Species Database and Emergency Response
System, with a focus on risk assessment and intentionally imported
live animals and plants. The Office of Insular Affairs shares
responsibility for brown tree snake control in the Pacific Islands.
Department of State
The Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific
Affairs (OES) is the U.S. focal point for foreign policy formulation
and implementation on global environment, science, and technology
issues. The Department of State (State) has, however, given lead
negotiator privileges to other agencies when that agency's specific
expertise clearly makes it in the U.S.'s best interest to do
so. OES considers invasive species a high priority and has a
proactive program to raise awareness of the issue among other
governments, encourage intergovernmental cooperation, foster
capacity-building efforts in developing countries, and support
the Global Invasive Species Programme (GISP). OES directs U.S.
negotiations under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
Department of Transportation
International programs in the
Department of Transportation (DOT) are not limited to ensuring
safe and efficient transportation within the U.S., but aim to
support and enforce a wide variety of U.S. interests. Many of
DOT's actions have a direct impact on invasive species pathways.
For example, the U.S. Coast Guard works closely with other agencies
to develop and enforce international fisheries and maritime agreements,
including those negotiated on ballast water management under
the International Maritime Organization (IMO). DOT's Federal
Aviation Administration addresses air transport issues and considers
invasive species in the various actions that it takes. DOT has
brought about involvement by the International Civil Aviation
Organization.
Environmental Protection
Agency
While most of EPA's work with
respect to invasive species is domestically focused, it does
undertake programs of work in cooperation with other governments.
In the Great Lakes region, for example, EPA works closely with
Canadian agencies, as well as governments of the Baltic region
through the Great Lakes/Baltic Sea Partnership Program. EPA leads
U.S. activities under the North American Agreement for Environmental
Cooperation (NAAEC).
Agency for International
Development
U.S. foreign assistance has always
had a twofold purpose of furthering the U.S.'s foreign policy
interests (e.g., opening free markets) while improving the lives
of citizens of the developing world. U.S. Agency for International
Development (USAID) is the principal U.S. agency extending assistance
to developing countries, and works in four major topical areas:
economic growth and agricultural development; population, health,
and nutrition; environment; and democracy and governance. These
programs are targeted to four broad geographic regions: Sub-Saharan
Africa; Asia and the Near East; Latin America and the Caribbean;
and Europe and Eurasia. USAID has responsibility for ensuring
that the U.S.'s development assistance programs do not lead to
the introduction of invasive species in other nations. It is
also well positioned to use its programs to support projects
to eradicate and control invasive species where they are already
established in developing countries, especially when food, water,
and health security are at risk.
National Science Foundation
The National Science Foundation
(NSF) enables and encourages U.S. scientists, engineers, and
their institutions to enhance their research and education programs
through international cooperation. Support is available through
a wide variety of programs, including fellowships, travel grants,
workshops, research, and education projects. A set of these programs
is explicitly dedicated to collaborative projects, the development
of reliable data on the science and engineering resources in
other countries, the advanced training of U.S. scientists and
engineers overseas, and the development of international electronic
networks. While NSF does not have a specific grant program on
invasive species, projects relevant to minimizing the spread
of invasive species have been funded under its existing programs.
Office of the U.S. Trade
Representative
The U.S. Trade Representative
(USTR) is responsible for developing and implementing trade policies
which promote economic growth, support efforts to protect the
environment, advance core labor standards, and create new opportunities
for U.S. businesses, workers, and agricultural products. USTR
sets and coordinates U.S. international trade, commodity, and
direct investment policy. It also leads or directs U.S. negotiations
with other countries (through entities such as the World Trade
Organization (WTO) and the North American Free Trade Agreement
(NAFTA)). Increasingly, invasive species are included among the
issues that USTR considers within its efforts to protect the
environment. The USTR/CEQ Guidelines for implementation of Executive
Order 13141, Environmental Review of Trade Agreements, specifically
references the need to analyze "changes in volume, pattern,
and modes of transportation (e.g., increased or decreased potential
for spread of invasive species, . . ." and "the potential
for invasive species to compromise such biodiversity" (65
Federal Register 79449; Appendix C, II(b) and IV(E); December
19, 2000).
Global Invasive Species
Programme
GISP is a multi-faceted effort
undertaken by the Scientific Committee on Problems of the Environment
(SCOPE) - a component of the International Council for Science
(ICSU), in collaboration with the World Conservation Union (IUCN)
and CABI. GISP's mission is to raise awareness of the issue of
invasive species and to develop new tools and approaches for
dealing with the problem. GISP engages many constituencies in
its efforts, including experts from a wide variety of disciplines,
leaders in industry and international organizations, and government
officials. GISP works closely with the Convention on Biological
Diversity (CBD), providing scientific and technical expertise,
and is building strong relationships with other international
programs, such as the International Plant Protection Convention
(IPPC) and WTO.
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Public
Outreach and Partnership Efforts
Department of Agriculture
APHIS has a public affairs effort
in place to respond to emergency situations and eradication programs.
State and industry programs supplement this effort. APHIS provides
information to the traveling public through programs that focus
on pest exclusion efforts such as "Don't Pack a Pest,"
and provides information on program activities through its Web
site and the NAPIS database. In addition, APHIS maintains a Web
site (www.aphis.usda.gov)
that provides a wealth of information on current invasive species
activities within APHIS.
NRCS administers the Environmental
Quality Incentive Program (EQIP), the Wildlife Habitat Incentives
Program (WHIP), the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP), and the Forestry
Incentive Program (FIP), which distribute monies to priority
projects at the State level. Invasive species is one of the fundable
topic areas. In the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), administered
by the Farm Service Agency, NRCS provides technical support to
help farmers identify and control noxious weeds and invasive
plant species on farmland enrolled in the program. Private landowners
and agricultural producers enrolled in the CRP, WRP and WHIP
are responsible for controlling noxious weeds and invasive plant
species on their respective acreage. Invasive species is one
of the fundable topic areas. NRCS also is the major natural resource
conservation information provider to private landowners, including
invasive species information. The NRCS PLANTS Web site (http://plants.usda.gov)
provides a single site for integrated State noxious weed lists,
invasive plant lists, links to key sources of weed species biology
and management information throughout the U.S. and the world,
and plant guides used for restoring native plant communities.
APHIS is cooperating with NRCS to expand the invasive plant information
available through PLANTS, which receives over 2 million hits
a month by users of plant information. PLANTS will exhibit APHIS
information on key foreign species that are high threats targeted
for exclusion.
FS administers a number of cooperative
programs that assist partnerships and encourage forest stewardship
for non-industrial forest landowners, including control of invasive
species. The Forest Stewardship Program provides professional
expertise and advice, and the Stewardship Incentive Program,
which provides cost-share, supports private non-industrial forest
landowners in implementing Forest Stewardship Plans. Other FS
programs also provide technical assistance and educational technology
transfers to partners.
CSREES is actively involved in
public outreach and partnership efforts through its association
with the Land Grant University System. The Extension Service
provides a vital link, through on-campus programs and county
offices across the U.S., bringing together the USDA, stakeholders
and concerned citizens on this issue. County Extension Agents
partner with research and extension scientists to deliver information
to the general public on a variety of pest management issues,
including invasive species.
ARS has extensive public outreach
and partnership activities. For example, the Area wide Pest Management
programs provide about $1 million per year for five years to
transfer technology to manage invasive species. These programs
concentrate on managing a single species, such as leafy spurge,
codling moth and corn rootworm. About half of these funds are
provided to Federal, State and local partners. NAL plays a key
role in public outreach, such as developing and managing the
Web site (www.invasivespecies.gov) for the National
Invasive Species Council. All ARS individual research programs
produce non-technical information about its activities, and ARS
scientists participate in many public field days each year.
Department of Commerce
NOAA's Sea Grant Program provides
matching grants for outreach and education efforts dealing with
aquatic nuisance species under the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance
Prevention and Control Act.
Department of Defense
CE has a 50% Federal / 50% local
cost share arrangement with State and local governments, as mentioned
above in the Control, Management and Restoration section. The
Army Corps of Engineers Waterways Experiment Station has produced
a set of CD-ROMs. The first CD provides detailed information
- identification, geographic distribution, and recommended control
methods relating to 61 invasive terrestrial plants occurring
on Defense lands. The second CD, subject to the availability
of funding, will provide similar management information for the
worst 100 noxious plant species on Defense's lands (target date
of 2000).
Defense's Armed Forces Information Service is used to educate
laypersons within Defense, and could be helpful in an invasive
species outreach and education program.
Department of the Interior
BLM, as part of its Partners
Against Weeds program, funds cooperative efforts with landowners
to control invasive species. It also funds cooperative outreach
and education projects with schools and local/ county governments.
NPS partners with the ARS, FS, and the State of Hawaii to develop
and test biological control agents.
FWS works in partnership through many programs, such as the Partners
for Fish and Wildlife Program and the Coastal program, to provide
outreach, technical and financial assistance to private landowners
for habitat restoration issues including those involving invasive
species.
Interagency Groups
ANSTF is a statutory entity set
up under the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control
Act of 1990. It is co-chaired by FWS and NOAA. Other Federal
members are the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), CE, EPA, USDA, and State.
ANSTF also includes 13 ex officio non-Federal stakeholders.
ANSTF and its constituent agencies are responsible for carrying
out and coordinating Federal invasive aquatic species activities,
including: prevention of new introductions; monitoring nonindigenous
species that have become established; controlling aquatic nuisance
species; developing an education program; and sponsoring scientific
research in order to reduce the impacts of such species.
The Federal Interagency Committee
for the Management of Noxious and Exotic Weeds (FICMNEW) was
established in August 1994 through a memorandum of understanding.
The 16 Federal members participate voluntarily, with most agencies'
representation considered a collateral duty of their position.
Project support is currently provided on an ad hoc basis, usually
from discretionary funds, by participating agencies and groups.
FICMNEW's charter is to coordinate, through the respective Secretaries,
Assistant Secretaries, and Agency heads, information regarding
the identification and extent of invasive plants in the U.S.
and to coordinate Federal agency management of these species.
FICMNEW accomplishes this charter by sharing scientific and technical
information, fostering collaborative efforts among Federal agencies,
and sponsoring technical and educational conferences and workshops
concerning invasive plants. Through its open meetings and various
forums, FICMNEW facilitates cooperation between the signatory
agencies and numerous non-Federal agencies and private organizations.
It also sponsors the Pulling Together Initiative (PTI) on invasive
species, managed by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.
PTI is a cost share program, funded by seven Federal agencies,
which encourages partnerships for invasive weed management areas.
The Committee on Environment
and Natural Resources Research (CENR) of the National Science
and Technology Council (NSTC) was established to advise and assist
the NSTC in increasing the effectiveness and productivity of
Federal research and development efforts in the area of the environment
and natural resources. CENR addresses science policy and research
and development that cut across agency boundaries and provides
a formal mechanism for interagency coordination relevant to domestic
and international environmental and natural resources issues.
CENR has identified invasive species as a priority focus for
integrated ecosystem research, for which the Subcommittee on
Ecological Systems (CENR/SES) has established an interagency
Task Team on Invasive Species (TTIS). CENR members include representatives
from the White House, NOAA, Smithsonian Institution (SI), EPA,
DOE, NASA, NSF, USDA, OMB, Interior, DHHS, DOT, DHUD, Defense,
State, FEMA, Tennessee Valley Authority, Office of the Coordinator
for Meteorology, Central Intelligence Agency, and Council on
Environmental Quality.
The Technical Advisory Group
for the Biological Control of Weeds (TAGBCW) is administered
by USDA-APHIS, Plant Protection and Quarantine. TAGBCW is an
independent voluntary committee that was first formed in 1957
to provide advice to researchers on biological control of weeds.
TAGBCW members review petitions for biological control of weeds
and provide an exchange of views, information and advice to researchers
and those in USDA-APHIS-PPQ responsible for issuing permits for
importation, testing, and field release of biological control
agents of weeds. TAGBCW members include USDA, Interior, EPA,
plant-related boards, and the Governments of Canada and Mexico.
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