Five-Year Review of Executive Order 13112 on Invasive Species

THE NATIONAL INVASIVE SPECIES COUNCIL (NISC) Five-Year Review of Executive Order 13112 on Invasive Species Prepared for the Office of Management and Budget 2005 Meet the Invasive Species Challenge Know the NISC Plan Manage the Problem MEMBERS The Honorable Gale Norton The Honorable Mike Johanns The Honorable Carlos Gutierrez Co-Chair Co-Chair Co-Chair Secretary of the Interior Secretary of Agriculture Secretary of Commerce The Honorable Condoleezza Rice The Honorable Norman Y. Mineta The Honorable Donald H. Rumsfeld Secretary of State Secretary of Transportation Secretary of Defense The Honorable John Snow The Honorable Mike Leavitt The Honorable Michael Chertoff Secretary of the Treasury Secretary of Health and Human Secretary of Homeland Security Services The Honorable Stephen L. Johnson The Honorable Rob Portman Administrator The Honorable Michael Griffin U.S. Trade Representative Environmental Protection Agency Administrator National Aeronautics and Space Administration Mr. Jim Hester Agency Environmental Coordinator U.S. Agency for International Development National Invasive Species Council Department of the Interior Office of the Secretary (OS/SIO/NISC) 1849 C Street, NW. Washington, DC 20240 www.invasivespecies.gov Suggested Citation: National Invasive Species Council. 2005. Five-Year Review of Executive Order 13112 on Invasive Species. 44 pp. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY FIVE-YEAR REVIEW OF EO 32 on INVASIVE SPECIES nvasive species inhabit all regions of the United Due to the broad and complex nature of invasive spe- States and every nation. The price society pays for cies, many agencies and departments across the Federal I invasives is reflected not only in significant economic Government play an important role in the response damage but also in high levels of environmental degra- to invasive species. Because invasive species do not dation, loss of recreational opportunities, and harm to respect jurisdictional boundaries, partnerships and co- animal, plant, and human health. Executive Order 13112 operation with State, local, and private organizations are (EO) was issued in 1999 to enhance federal coordina- critical. Instead of creating a new department or regula- tion and response to the complex and accelerating tory authority, the EO established the National Invasive problem of invasive species. As directed by the EO, the Species Council (NISC) as a high-level, interdepart- National Invasive Species Council has approved this mental organization to provide leadership, planning, and report for the Office of Management and Budget to as- coordination for current Federal programs. Secretaries sess the effectiveness of the EO and evaluate whether it and Administrators of the 13 departments and agencies should be revised. serve as the members of NISC. The Secretaries of the Interior, Commerce and Agriculture serve as Co-Chairs, The EO defines an invasive species as a species not na- reinforcing the importance of cooperation and coor- tive to the region or area whose introduction (by hu- dination in every action of the Council. The EO also mans) causes or is likely to cause harm to the economy established the Invasive Species Advisory Committee or the environment, or harms animal or human health. (ISAC), which consists of nonfederal representatives and This definition encompasses all types of invasive spe- stakeholders who provide recommendations as well as cies—plants, animals, and microorganisms. The defini- input and consensus advice to NISC. The Secretary of tion makes a clear distinction between non-native (or the Interior provides support for a staff of six, and NISC alien) species and invasive species. Most introduced member agencies have assigned detailees to provide as- species are not harmful. In fact, many non-native spe- sistance. Each NISC member is represented by a Policy cies—which include most U.S. crops and domesticated Liaison who provides coordination between his or her animals—are extremely important sources of food, fiber, department or agency and NISC. or recreation. Only a small percentage of non-native species are invasive. However, even a single invasive spe- This report details actions taken by NISC during its first cies can cause great harm. 5 years to meet the goals and objectives of the EO: ■ Providing national leadership and coordination. The effects of invasive species can be seen in declin- ■ ing wildlife and plant populations, loss of economically Monitoring the implementation of the EO. important resources, and impacts to human health. ■ Encouraging planning and action at the state and Over 40 percent of the species listed as threatened or local levels. endangered in the United States under the Endangered ■ Developing recommendations for international Species Act are at risk at least in part due to invasive cooperation. species. Forests are at risk from invasive insects such ■ Developing guidance under the National Environ- as emerald ash borer and plant diseases such as sudden mental Policy Act on invasive species for Federal oak death. Zebra mussels and other fouling organisms agencies. clog intake pipes for utilities and other industries. On the island of Guam, brown treesnakes cause power out- ■ Tracking and enhancing efforts to document the ages by climbing onto power cables, and they have elimi- impacts of invasive species. nated 10 of the 12 native bird species from the island. ■ Facilitating a coordinated information (data) sharing Since its first appearance in 1999, West Nile virus—an system. invasive species transmitted by mosquitoes to wildlife, ■ Publishing a national invasive species management livestock populations, and humans—has caused the plan. deaths of over 700 people in the United States. Meet the Invasive Species Challenge Know the NISC Plan Manage the Problem Many of these accomplishments reflect ISAC’s invalu- ■ Publication of guidance on setting priorities for proj- able expert and stakeholder input on issues ranging ects to control and manage invasive species. from planning to website development. A great deal still ■ Providing technical assistance to States for creating remains to be done to enhance NISC efforts to pre- invasive species councils or other coordinating bod- vent and control invasive species. However, the EO has ies—19 States now have invasive species councils or proved an effective tool not only in improving coordina- similar bodies. tion across NISC agencies and departments, but also in providing a forum for collaborative programs, outreach, ■ Development of implementation procedures to track and partnerships with the State, local, and private sectors. NISC progress under the EO. ■ Sponsoring workshops and meetings with State and NISC accomplishments include local partners on species and issues of common con- ■ Publication and distribution in 2001 of the first cern, e.g., the April 2004 “Team Tamarisk: Cooperat- national management plan—a comprehensive blue- ing for Results” workshop, which involved more than print—for federal action on invasive species entitled, 300 participants. Meeting the Invasive Species Challenge (referred to in ■ Working with the State Department to address this report as “NISC Plan”). global invasive species mechanisms and treaties such ■ Preparation of the first invasive species performance- as the International Plant Protection Convention, based crosscut budget for fiscal years 2004–2006, the Commission on Economic Cooperation providing both general budgetary information on (under NAFTA), and the Asian Pacific Economic invasive species expenditures and specific initiatives Cooperation. highlighting areas of interdepartmental cooperative ■ Sponsoring international regional workshops to ex- planning and action on invasive species. change information and build international capacity ■ Completion of a comprehensive list of pathways (the for invasive species. Partners included USAID, State means by which species are accidentally introduced Department, Transportation Department, and Global into the United States) for introduction of invasive Invasive Species Programme (GISP). species. • Issuance of draft criteria for ranking pathways’ In summary, NISC employs a cooperative approach to importance. enhance the Federal Government’s response to the • Preparatory work for developing a risk-based threat of invasive species. A forum for coordination screening system for intentional introductions. and planning, the Council and the Advisory Committee strive to ensure that Federal programs are successful, ■ Development of the NISC website, www.invasive- avoid duplication, and minimize costs. In the last species.gov, which provides links to invasive spe- 5 years, NISC has emphasized prevention, early detec- cies information across governmental agencies and tion and rapid response, and sharing information to nongovernmental organizations in partnership with create a more proactive and effective invasive species USDA’s National Agricultural Library. strategy. By providing an overall framework for Fed- ■ In collaboration with the Aquatic Nuisance Species eral invasive species policy, coordination, and outreach, Task Force (ANSTF) and the Federal Interagency Executive Order 13112 enhances efforts to minimize Committee for the Management of Noxious and the harm to the economy, the environment, and human Exotic Weeds (FICMNEW), the publication of NISC health caused by invasive species. Any needed improve- guidance on the formulation and evaluation of Early ments should be addressed through the update and Detection and Rapid Response systems. revision

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