Strengthening Federal-State Coordination

Executive Summary The Federal-State Coordination Task Team (Task Team) was formed to address the need for increased coordination of invasive species actions at the local, state, territorial, regional, and ecosystem level as put forth in Executive Orders (EO) 13112 and 13751, and Action 2.5.1 of the National Invasive Species Council (NISC) 2016–2018 Management Plan (Management Plan). The need for improved federal-state coordination is evident given the damage caused to our ecosystems and economy, the need to deploy limited resources efficiently and effectively, and the difficulties encountered by conservation practitioners at all levels of government when responding to threats and impacts of invasive species.The Task Team investigated this need by analyzing strengths and weaknesses and identifying commonalities from a suite of case studies representing various geopolitical scales including region/state level and multi-state/ landscape level invasive species management efforts. The following case studies are included in this report: Florida Invasive Species Partnership, Massachusetts Asian Longhorned Beetle Cooperative Eradication Program, Greater Yellowstone Coordinating Committee – Noxious Weed Sub-committee, Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force (ANSTF) and Western Regional Panel – Building Consensus in the West, Asian Carp Management and Control, and Greater Sage Grouse Conservation. Case studies are summarized in the body of the report and are included in their entirety in the appendix. These case studies were used to formulate key findings, three levels of conclusions, and recommendations to NISC. Key findings include recognition that “on-the-ground” results are the most important component of any invasive species program; success is most apparent at single species and/or smaller geographic scales; efforts that cross jurisdictional borders are hampered by inconsistent laws, policies, and priorities; insufficient funding and capacity hampers most invasive species efforts; and effective coordination can stretch resources and increase capacity. Level 1 conclusions are focused on the need to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of federal-state communication. These include the need to establish a federal-state point person within the NISC Secretariat and to identify points of contact within both federal and state agencies. Level 2 conclusions address the need to strengthen federal-state partnerships and increase capacity through greater engagement by NISC Departments and the establishment of operating agreements or partnerships. The Level 3 conclusion identifies the need to explore options for addressing particularly large and complex multi-jurisdictional invasive species issues by considering new organizational and regulatory approaches. Examples include the creation of new commissions and modification of existing policy and regulations. The Task Team recommends establishing a Coordinating Committee to conduct high-level policy and planning functions to advance federal-state coordination as set forth in the Executive Orders and the NISC Management Plan and to address the findings and conclusions of this report. Member- ship on this Coordinating Committee should be restricted to representatives from government (federal, state, municipal, territorial, tribal, etc.) in order to avoid the need to establish the group under the requirements of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA)

Invasive Alien Species, Agricultural Development and the "Aid Trade"

Note on the global phenomena of invasive alien species of plants, animals, and micro organisms transplanted intentionally or unintentionally into non native habitats, where their impacts on the environment, agricultural production, health, and economies have assumed unprecedented proportions in a context of trade expansion and globalization. Having identified international assistance programs as a key pathway through which invasive species come to be introduced, the Global Invasive Species Programme conducted an awareness-raising seminar on the topic at the stakeholders' meeting of the 2001 CGIAR Annual General Meeting

Invasive Species and E-Commerce

ISSUE Internet commerce (hereafter e-commerce) is a growing and vital part of the United States economy. Total e-commerce sales in the United States for 2011 totaled $194 billion, an increase of 16$1.4 trillion in yearly sales by 2015 (Enright 2011). A portion of this activity includes the sale and trade of living organisms. Unfortunately, such organisms and other organisms that they may carry can be invasive species, defined by United States Executive Order 13112 as “alien [non-native] species whose introduction does or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health.” Order 13112 mandates that Federal agencies work to ensure that they do not promote e-commerce in invasive species, because the order states that these agencies should “not authorize, fund, or carry out actions that are likely to cause or promote the introduction or spread of invasive species ... .” A number of government entities have jurisdiction over aspects of e-commerce. The United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA, APHIS) has jurisdiction over plants, livestock, and their products. The Department of Interior (DoI), United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has jurisdiction over wildlife. Shipping services are overseen by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), United States Postal Service (USPS) with jurisdiction over imports and inter- state trade (Federal government) and intrastate trade (state governments). However, e-commerce as a sector is evolving and expanding in volume at a rate that may exceed these various capacities to address the associated risks of introduction and spread of invasive species. Recommendations to NISC Member Agencies Relevant federal agencies need to adjust existing regulations and enforcement practices to better mitigate the risks of trade and transport of invasive species through e-commerce. Included are recommendations to enhance the collective ability to engage in e-commerce without promoting the introduction or spread of invasive and potentially invasive species

Validation of PCR-Based Assays and Laboratory Accreditation for Environmental Detection of Aquatic Invasive Species

This white paper provides: a) Background information on the use, accuracy and reliability of PCR-based assays such as environmentally sampled DNA (eDNA) for early detection of aquatic invasive species (AIS) and; b) Recommendations for establishing a system for validating assays and accrediting laboratories that report on the presence or absence of AIS. This white paper was developed by the members of ISAC and discusses the need for developing validation requirements for Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and other DNA-based molecular assays that are increasingly being used to detect AIS. It does not provide a simplified checklist for evaluation of their ability to detect AIS. Rather, it is intended to demonstrate the need for a required and regulated framework to validate these molecular assays. A regulated framework for validation would greatly increase confidence in the utility of DNA-based assays and better enable decision-makers and managers regarding AIS detection, prevention, monitoring and control

Background Paper on Systematics

The Invasive Species Advisory Committee (ISAC) makes recommendations to the Federal government agencies that have an invasive species portfolio. This systematics recommendation strives to motivate action in the agencies that have been identified in the Situation Report as the agencies with systematics capabilities in the Federal government. The USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and the Smithsonian Institution are repositories of a large amount of the systematics collections and human capabilities for systematics essential work on invasive species. Conducting the Survey of their systematics capabilities and needs is urgent. The Survey will describe actions in research, specimen-based collections, a biodiversity informatics network, and educating future systematists. Systematics expertise and use is distributed across the federal agencies so participation needs to be inclusive and coordinated, particularly in the areas of research, specimen-based collections, informatics networks, and the education of future systematists. The Situation Report recommends that a Systematics Interagency Coordinating Group incorporating relevant federal agencies monitor implementation of the Plans; document successes and failures; and provide information to the White House, Office of Management and Budget, and federal agencies to facilitate decision-making on systematics programs

Nebraska Invasive Plants Field Guide

Invasive species are plants, animals or pathogens that are non-native to an ecosystem. They cause harm to the economy, environment or human health. They negatively affect native species and ecosystems and interfere with outdoor recreation opportunities. This guide identifies federal and state-listed noxious weeds. Federal noxious weeds are regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture; State noxious weeds are regulated by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Protection, Noxious Weed Program. Aquatic invasive species are listed and regulated by Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. ABSINTH WORMWOOD • AMUR HONEYSUCKLE • AUTUMN OLIVE • BRITTLE NAIAD • CALLERY PEAR • CANADA THISTLE* • CUTLEAF & COMMON TEASEL • DALMATIAN TOADFLAX • EURASIAN WATERMILFOIL • EUONYMUS FORTUNEI • EUROPEAN BUCKTHORN • GARLIC MUSTARD • ‘GARRISON’ CREEPING FOXTAIL • GIANT REED • HOUNDSTONGUE • HYDRILLA** • JAPANESE HOPS • JAPANESE & GIANT KNOTWEED* • JAPANESE STILTGRASS • KUDZU • LEAFY SPURGE* • MEADOW KNAPWEED • MUSK THISTLE* • NARROWLEAF CATTAIL • OLD WORLD BLUESTEM • ORIENTAL BITTERSWEET • PALMER AMARANTH • PERENNIAL PEPPERWEED • PERRENIAL SOWTHISTLE • PHRAGMITES* • PLUMELESS THISTLE* • PURPLE LOOSESTRIFE* • RUSSIAN KNAPWEED • SAINT JOHN’S WORT • SALTCEDAR* • SALTLOVER • SCOTCH THISTLE • SERICEA LESPEDEZA* • SICKLEWEED • SPOTTED & DIFFUSE KNAPWEED* • SULPHUR CINQUEFOIL • SWEET AUTUMN VIRGIN’S BOWER • TREE-OF-HEAVEN • YELLOW BEDSTRAW • YELLOW FLAG IRIS • YELLOW STARTHISTLE • YELLOW TOADFLAX • WHITE MULBERR

Considerations for the \u3ci\u3e2019–2021 NISC Management Plan\u3c/i\u3e

The Issue Efforts to prevent the importation of invasive species are insufficient to protect the United States. Nor are resources adequate for the eradication or control of invasive species that have already entered the country. There is a clear need for more effective coordination and collaboration among federal agencies and other entities to address gaps and inconsistencies in relevant statutes, regulations, agency authorities, as well as to improve and sustain access to the data needed to inform decisions and direct actio

Enhancing the Effectiveness of Biological Control Programs of Invasive Species by Utilizing an Integrated Pest Management Approach

Conclusion Biological control has been shown on many occasions to be the most cost-effective invasive species management tool available. However, integrating biological control projects with the full breadth of other integrated pest management (IPM) tools, expanding post-re- lease monitoring to maximize efficacy, adaptive management, and incorporating new and innovative ecological, and genetic technologies may provide private and public land managers greater opportunities for long-term success in suppression of established invasive species

Past Invasive Species Advisory Committee (ISAC) Members

United States Department of the Interior National Invasive Species Council Invasive Species Advisory Committee (ISAC) Past ISAC Members: Class 9 (2016-2019) Class 8 (2011-2016/2017) Class 7 (2011-2012/2014) Class 6 (2009-2011/2012) Class 5 (2008/2009-2010) Class 4 (2006-2008) Class 3 (2004-2006) Class 2 (2002-2004) Class 1 (1999-2001