The Federal Interagency Committee for the Management of Noxious and Exotic Weeds (FICMNEW) represents an unprecedented formal partnership between 18 federal agencies with direct invasive plant management and regulatory responsibilities spanning across the United States and territories. FICMNEW was established through a Memorandum of Understanding signed by agency leadership in 1994 and 1997. It is currently co-chaired by USDA-NRCS (Christine Taliga) and DOI BOR (Heidi McMaster). See a printable flyer and learn more about FICMNEW Factsheet [PDF, 657 KB].
During quarterly open meetings, FICMNEW members interact on important national and regional invasive plant issues and share information with various public and private organizations participating with the federal sector to address invasive plant issues.
FICMNEW's charter directs the committee 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 these portions of its charter by developing and sharing scientific and technical information, fostering collaborative efforts among federal agencies, providing recommendations for national and regional level management of invasive plants, and sponsoring technical/educational conferences and workshops concerning invasive plants.
FICMNEW continues to bridge the gap between federal agency invasive plant management and science activities and has been a driving force behind the national emphasis against the broader invasive species threat.
Next Open Meeting
- Date/Time: April 23rd, 2026, 1:00 – 2:30pm (Eastern Standard Time)
- Featured speaker: Heidi A. McMaster, is a Natural Resources Specialist with the US Bureau of Reclamation based in Boise, Idaho. Heidi works with internal teams and external partners to advance practical, measurable interventions—aligning field operations, policy, and stakeholder engagement to reduce ecological and economic impacts from invasive species.
- Topic: Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point Plans: Evaluation of Pathways to Prevent the Spread
Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) planning is a structured, science‑based risk assessment process originally developed for food safety but now widely applied to preventing the spread of invasive species, where it helps identify non‑targets, map pathways, and assess invasive‑species risks by examining each step of an activity in detail. It typically includes defining pathways, identifying critical control points, establishing control measures with prescribed limits, and outlining corrective actions, all developed through a diverse, cross‑disciplinary team that strengthens analysis and ensures effective implementation. Benefits for invasive‑species management include methodical evaluation of all pathways, increased efficiency, enhanced prevention opportunities, contingency planning, documentation, and strong buy‑in across managers and field staff—ultimately improving the ability to prevent unintentional spread during natural‑resource and operational activities.