**GAO-03-1**                      Published: Oct 22, 2002. Publicly Released: Oct 22, 2002.                  

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## Highlights

Harmful invasive species--nonnative plants and animals that are spreading throughout the United States--have caused billions of dollars in damage to natural areas, businesses, and consumers. In 2001, the federal government issued a National Invasive Species Management Plan to focus attention on invasive species and coordinate a national control effort involving the 20 or so federal agencies that are responsible for managing them. This report discusses the economic impacts of invasive species, implementation of the management plan, and coordination of U.S. and Canadian efforts to control invasive species, including those introduced to the Great Lakes via the ballast water of ships.

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## Topics

Natural Resources and Environment

Agricultural pestsAnimalsAquatic organismsBallast waterEconomic analysisEnvironmental monitoringEnvironmental policiesInvasive speciesPest controlPlants (organisms)WatercraftWest Nile virus