US Federal Invasive Species Policies

Invasive Species Council | Management Plan 2001 | Management Plan 2008

Invasive Species Pathways | IS Definition

Background

On February 3, 1999, Executive Order 13112 was signed establishing the National Invasive Species Council (NISC). NISC is an inter-Departmental body that helps to coordinate and ensure complementary, cost-effective Federal activities regarding invasive species.

Council members include:

• Department of Agriculture
• Department of Commerce
• Department of Defense
• Department of Health and Human Services
• Department of Homeland Security
• Department of State
• Department of the Interior
• Department of Transportation
• Department of the Treasury
• Environmental Protection Agency
• National Aeronautics and Space Administration
• Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
• U.S. Agency for International Development

The National Invasive Species Management Plan - 2001

Together with the Invasive Species Advisory Committee, stakeholders, concerned members of the public, and member departments, NISC formulated an action plan for the nation. NISC issued the National Invasive Species Management Plan early in 2001 to provide an overall blueprint for Federal action. The Plan recommends specific action items to improve coordination, prevention, control and management of invasive species by the Federal agency members of the Council.

The National Invasive Species Management Plan provides a "Survey of Federal Roles and Responsibilities" and "An Action Plan for the Nation". The Plan is divided into nine interrelated and equally important areas that the Council considers priorities in addressing invasive species problems. These are:

• Leadership and Coordination
• Prevention
• Early Detection and Rapid Response
• Control and Management
• Restoration
• International Cooperation
• Research
• Information Management
• Education and Public Awareness

The National Invasive Species Management Plan - 2008

Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne convened the National Invasive Species Council (NISC) on Friday, August 1, to oversee the adoption of the new 2008-2012 National Invasive Species Management Plan. The plan was developed collaboratively with 13 federal departments and agencies and their partners. Federal expenditures on invasive species are estimated to exceed $1.3 billion annually. The plan is the culmination of an extensive process of expert review, and public comment.

NISC Pathways Report and Ranking Guide 2005

Action Item #16 of the 2001 Management Plan called on Federal agencies to undertake measures to interdict pathways that are recognized as significant sources for the unintentional introduction of invasive species. NISC was charged with implementing a system for evaluating invasive species pathways. In response, the Pathways Work Team was tasked with developing a guide and process for invasive species pathway definition, analysis and prioritization, and identifying, describing in reasonable detail, and ranking those pathways that it believes are the most significant. In 2005, the Team produced the "Pathways Work Team Focus Group Conference Report and Pathways Ranking Guide". The report discusses the most useful tools, methods, and monitoring systems for identifying pathways, including emerging or changing pathways, and for intervening and stopping introductions most efficiently.

Invasive Species Definitions Clarification and Guidance White Paper

Some non-native species, for example West Nile virus, are considered invasive and undesirable by virtually everyone. Other non-native species are not as easily characterized. For example, some are considered harmful, and therefore, invasive by some sectors of society while other sectors consider those species to be beneficial. This discontinuity is reflective of the different value systems operating in our free society, and contributes to the complexity of defining the term invasive species. These uncertainties have stood and could continue to stand in the way of progress in actions and policy development to prevent new invasions and manage existing invasive species. In 2006, the federal Invasive Species Advisory Committee submitted to the National Invasive Species Council an Invasive Species Definitions Clarification and Guidance White Paper that provides a non-regulatory policy interpretation of the term invasive species. The white paper identifies what is meant, and just as important, what is not meant by invasive species. The discussion applies equally to all taxa of invasive species in all habitats and provides insight into those areas where societal judgments will be necessary to implement effective invasive species public policy.