University of Idaho Archives, University of Idaho, www.invasive.org Robert L. Johnson, Cornell University, www.invasive.org Preparing to Meet the Challenge An Assessment of Eric Coombs, Oregan Department of Agriculture, www.invasive.org Invasive Species Management in Idaho Prepared for: The Idaho Invasive Species Council With the Support of: Kenneth R. Law, The Idaho Department of Agriculture USDA APHIS PPQ, www.invasive.org and The Nature Conservancy Northwest Natural Resource Group, LLC Joe Hinson, ©2003 i Table of Contents Foreword....................................................................................................................... iii Acknowledgements .........................................................................................................v Executive Summary...................................................................................................... vii Introduction.....................................................................................................................1 The Concept of ÒInvasivenessÓ ....................................................................................1 Why Should IdahoÕs Citizens Worry About Invasive Species?.....................................4 Facing Up to the Challenge..............................................................................................7 What Level of Commitment is Needed?.....................................................................14 Conclusions ...............................................................................................................18 Efforts to Manage and Control Invasive Species............................................................19 IdahoÕs Current Invasive Species Authorities.............................................................19 The Budget for Invasive Species Management in Idaho .............................................23 Tracking New Weed Invaders in IdahoÑA Model for other Species?........................26 The Role and Effort of the Federal Government.........................................................29 The Invasive Species Council and National Plan........................................................33 CongressÕs Actions on Invasive Species.....................................................................36 Conclusions ...............................................................................................................37 How to be Effective Against Invasive Species ...............................................................39 Prevention and Early Detection..................................................................................40 Education ..................................................................................................................41 Funding and Resources..............................................................................................42 Are New Laws Needed? ............................................................................................42 The Continuing Role of the Federal Establishment.....................................................45 Recommendations .........................................................................................................51 Establish an Equitable and Stable Source of Funds ....................................................51 Conduct Educational Programs..................................................................................51 Set Priorities for Species to be Addressed ..................................................................52 Establish a Process to Assess Risks Posed by Various Species...................................53 Coordinate Invasive Species Work within State Government.....................................53 Enact the Necessary Changes in State Law ................................................................54 Identify Research Needs ............................................................................................54 Hold an Idaho ÒInvasive Species SummitÓ.................................................................55 Conclusion.................................................................................................................55 Bibliography..................................................................................................................57 List of Acronyms and Glossary of Terms.......................................................................59 Index .............................................................................................................................61 Appendix A Ð Noxious Weed Rules, Plant Pest Watch List, Default Species and Disease Field Inspection Listing, Invasive Species Surveys ........................................................63 Appendix B ÐInvasive Species Questionnaire & Summary of Results............................79 Appendix C Ð Summary of IdahoÕs Plant Pest Act and Draft Rules for ÒDeleterious AnimalsÓ Statute............................................................................................................89 Appendix D Ð ELIs Summary of IdahoÕs Invasive Species Laws and Regulations and Table of IdahoÕs Invasive Species Strategy and Programs............................................103 ii Appendix E Ð Aldo Leopold Wilderness Research Institute Summary of Research Needs Summary..................................................................................................................... 120 Figure 1. Cooperative Weed Management Areas in Idaho ........................................... 16 Figure 2. The Spread of Common Crupina by Number of Counties, 1969-2003 ........... 27 Figure 3. Counties with Occurrences of Common Crupina ........................................... 28 Figure 4. The Roles of Federal Agencies in Invasive Species Management .................. 30 Figure 5. Federal Expenditures for Invasive Species Activities, FY 1999, 2000............ 32 Table 1. Examples of Invasive Species and their Potential Risks to Idaho.......................9 Table 2. Major State Authorities and Agency Responsibilities...................................... 21 Table 3. FY 2002 Noxious Weed Grants thru ISDA .................................................... 24 Table 4. County Weed Assessments, 2002 ................................................................... 25 Table 5. Summary of Federal Roles in Invasive Species Management.......................... 34 iii Foreword ÒInvasive speciesÓÑthose nonnative plant, animal and microbial organisms that cause widespread economic and environmental damageÑare becoming a major issue, not only in Idaho but across the country. Hundreds of nonnative organisms from around the globe have reached Idaho through trade, travel, intentional introduction, and dispersal from neighboring states. Most will never cause problems. Many are beneficial. But a small percentage will grow out of control and become invasive species. Free from the natural competitors, predators, and parasites that keep them in check in their native range, invasive species reproduce rapidly. They invade agricultural lands and waterways and displace desirable plants and animals. Invasive species are truly a form of biological pollution. This document describes the threat invasive species pose to IdahoÕs economy and environment. This assessment also describes ongoing state and federal efforts to prevent and manage invasive species, highlights effective points and deficiencies of some current programs and recommends a few simple steps that the State of Idaho could take to meet the threat of invasive species. This is not intended to be an encyclopedic study of biological invaders or of the myriad public and private responses to the threats invasives pose. Rather, the assessment Òhits the high pointsÓ of the issue, in Idaho and at the federal level. Fortunately, there are sound efforts underway in Idaho to control noxious weeds, to prevent, detect, and control agricultural pests and to protect human health. Each of these programs has strengths that can be applied to a more comprehensive effort to address all invasive species; each has areas in which improvements may be needed. Idaho also has taken a first step toward a coordinated and effective statewide invasive species program by creating the Idaho Invasive Species Council, named by Governor Kempthorne in 2001. The sponsors of this AssessmentÑThe Nature Conservancy and the Idaho Department of AgricultureÑintend for it to be both a source of information for the Council and a springboard for further actions to assure that the Council can effectively carry out its mission. In addition, the assessment will serve to help educate policy makers and various stakeholders about the threats posed by invasive species and what must be done to minimize those threats. ~ The Nature Conservancy and the Idaho State Department of Agriculture iv v Acknowledgements The Northwest Natural Resource Group greatly appreciates the staff assistance from The Nature Conservancy, the Idaho Department of Agriculture, the Office of the Governor and, most particularly, those federal, state, county and private organizations who spend their professional lives managing weeds and other invasive species across the state of Idaho. Karl Launchbaugh, who researched and described the invasive species most likely to pose a threat to our state, provided valuable information for this Assessment. Finally, the editorial assistance and graphic designs provided by Charlene Schildwachter made this