# Presentation: 187373

## Invasive Species Update

- National Environmental Policy Meeting
- Sacramento, CA
- June 14-15, 2005
- Doug Holy

## Invasive Species

- Overview of NRCS policy and the basis for it
- A few specific invasive species activities of NRCS
- Meeting the invasive species challenge (panel presentations and discussion)

## NRCS Invasive Species Policy

- Published November 2004 as General Manual Title 190, Technology, Part 414, Invasive Species, Subparts A through D _[http://policy.nrcs.usda.gov/scripts/lpsiis.dll/GM/GM_190_414.htm](http://policy.nrcs.usda.gov/scripts/lpsiis.dll/GM/GM_190_414.htm)__ _

## Purpose

- This policy provides direction and guidance for agency actions related to preventing the introduction of invasive species, managing existing invasive species and minimizing economic, ecological, and human health impacts that invasive species may cause.

## Background

- USDA Policy for Noxious Weed Management of January 1990
- E.O. 13122 of February 1999
- Defines harm from invasive species
- Important definitions and clarifications

**Notes:**
E.O. 13112 Directed Federal agencies to “prevent the introduction of invasive species and provide for their control and to minimize the economic, ecological and human health impacts that invasive species cause.” 

## USDA Policy for Noxious Weed Management

- Defines “noxious weed” and declares that USDA agencies will not encourage the propagation of such

## E.O. 13112 Charge 

- All Federal agencies whose actions may affect invasive species are to identify the actions, and, subject to appropriations, use relevant programs and authorities to do the following:

## Federal Agency Duties (E.O. 13112)

- Prevent the introduction of invasive species
- Detect and respond rapidly to and control populations of such species in a cost-effective and environmentally sound manner
- Monitor invasive species populations accurately and reliably

## Federal Agency Duties (E.O. 13112)

- Provide for restoration of native species and habitat conditions in ecosystems that have been invaded
- Conduct research on invasive species and develop technologies to prevent introduction and provide for environmentally sound control of invasive species
- Promote public education on invasive species and the means to address them

## Agency Duties (E.O. 13112)

- Not authorize, fund, or carry out actions that it believes are likely to cause or promote the introduction or spread of invasive species in the United States or elsewhere unless, pursuant to guidelines that it has prescribed, the agency has determined and made public its determination that the benefits of such actions clearly outweigh the potential harm caused by invasive species; and that all feasible and prudent measures to minimize risk of harm will be taken in conjunction with the actions.     (i.e., Do No Harm)

## Agency Duties (E.O. 13112)

- Federal agencies shall pursue these duties in consultation with the National Invasive Species Council, consistent with the National Invasive Species Management Plan and in cooperation with stakeholders, as appropriate.

## National Invasive Species Council(E.O. 13112)

- Includes 13 Departments/agencies with co-chairs being Departments of Agriculture, Interior, and Commerce
- Ensure that Federal agency activities concerning invasive species are coordinated, complementary, cost-efficient, and effective
-  Rely to the extent feasible on existing organizations (e.g.,  Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force, the Federal Interagency Committee for the Management of Noxious and Exotic Weeds, and the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources

## National Invasive Species Council(E.O. 13112)

- Ensure that activities concerning invasive species are coordinated, complementary, cost-efficient, and effective.

## National Invasive Species Management Plan

- Invasive Species Action Plan for the nation
- First edition in 2001
- Contains performance-oriented goals
- Focuses upon non-native organisms that may cause significant negative impacts and not provide equivalent benefits
- To be revised biennially – undergoing second revision now

## NRCS Policy Defines Harm from Invasive Species 

- They reduce the economic productivity and ecological integrity of our nation’s lands and waters.
- The rate of introduction of such species has risen markedly in recent years with costs to society growing.
- Invasive species harm noninvasive native species and their habitats, renewable resources, and diminish productive capacity of agricultural lands.
- They may negatively impact a wide variety of human activities and needs.

## Important Definitions

- Invasive species – Those species whose introduction does, or is likely to, cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health.
- Defines “Introduced” and clarifies that this term is not equal to “invasive”

## Important Definitions

- Noxious weeds – Those plant species designated as such by the Secretary of Agriculture, Secretary of the Interior, or by State law or regulation.  Generally, noxious weeds are aggressive and difficult to manage, may be parasitic, a carrier or host of deleterious insects or disease, and are non-native, new to, or not common to the United States or parts thereof.

## NRCS Roles Regarding Invasive Species

- Adhering to goals and purposes of the NISMP.
- Following and supporting all Tribal, State, and local laws regarding invasive species in the course of giving technical and financial assistance and implementing conservation practices.
- Considering environmental, social, cultural and economic conditions when recommending management options for invasive species.

## NRCS Roles Regarding Invasive Species

- Encouraging the use of native species for a given location and conservation practice in correlation with restoration or containment goals, as for example, ecological site descriptions or other agency-established land-use type classifications.
- Evaluating, developing, and/or recommending noninvasive, non-native species in order to meet both the agronomic and conservation objectives of our clientele when native species will not support the conservation needs.
- Using NRCS programs, when appropriate, to help private landowners recognize, inventory, and control invasive species

## NRCS Roles Regarding Invasive Species

- Working with NRCS experts and partners in order to better understand invasiveness thresholds and potential social, economic and/or environmental threats.
- Preparing and maintaining management plans, technical notes and guides reflecting management of invasive species, and adding timely and pertinent information to the Plant Materials Program national Web site (_[http://Plant-](http://plant-materials.nrcs.usda.gov/)__[Materials.nrcs.usda.gov](http://plant-materials.nrcs.usda.gov/)_), the PLANTS database (_[http://](http://plants.usda.gov/)__[plants.usda.gov](http://plants.usda.gov/)__[/](http://plants.usda.gov/)_), and other appropriate databases.

## NRCS Roles Regarding Invasive Species

- Recognizing that many introduced species are not invasive, and that some of these are among the best plants for conservation, forage production, and agronomic purposes.
- Recognizing that NRCS staffs are likely to be among the first professionals to see or hear of existing or potential species invasions due to the NRCS interface with private landowners.  While making certain to protect client confidentiality, this connection must be used wisely in working with landowners to manage their invasive species concerns to prevent these invasive species from spreading.

## NRCS Roles Regarding Invasive Species (Partnerships Encouraged)

- To share information and address invasive species issues impacting ecosystem health and quality of life.
- To provide public education on invasive species identification and management.
- To achieve local goals for controlling invasive species.
- To create Tribal, State, and regional lists of invasive terrestrial and aquatic plant and animal species, and prioritize these species in such a way as to reflect the degree of threat to human, environmental, and economic health.

## Supporting NRCS Invasive Species Activities

- Active participation with other USDA agencies (APHIS, ARS, CSREES, ERS, FS, FSA) in coordinating invasive species activities, and in preparing the USDA contribution to the annual  NISC Invasive Species Cross-cut budget.
- Active participation with the National Agricultural Library and others to redesign and contribute to the gateway to Federal efforts concerning invasive species at _http://www.invasivespecies.gov_.

## Supporting NRCS Invasive Species Activities

- Inclusion of an invasive species module within the PLANTS database (http://plants.usda.gov ) recognized as a primary information source for both aquatic and terrestrial plants.
- Continued work of the Plant Materials Centers to  actively select native, non-invasive plant species suited to solving conservation problems.
- Active member of the Federal Interagency Committee for the Management of Noxious and Exotic Weeds (FICMNEW),  a forum for coordinating Federal invasive species activities.

## Supporting NRCS Invasive Species Activities

- Active participant and steering team member for the  annual National Invasive Weeds Awareness Week activities held in Washington, DC
- Active participant and steering team member of the North American Pollinator Protection Campaign
- Incorporation of invasive species and pollinator protection verbiage into the Purpose, Criteria, or Considerations portions of appropriate conservation practices

## Supporting NRCS Invasive Species Activities

- Formed the NRCS Invasive Species Advisory Group

## Supporting NRCS Invasive Species Activities

- NRCS employees continue to work closely with Conservation Districts, other local partners, State and Regional Weed Management organizations, or Exotic Pest Plant Councils in their local efforts to detect, suppress, eradicate, and/or manage invasive weeds using Farm Bill programs (e.g., CTA, CRP, WRP, WHIP, EQIP) that offer opportunities to address invasive species control and management through technical and financial assistance.