secre r a

nisc
 

national invasive species council
 

Management Plan
 ta i t

2016–2018
 

Protecting What Matters
 

national invasive species council · washington, dc 
Approved on July 11, 2016
 

Recommended Citation:
 

National Invasive Species Council. Management Plan: 2016–2018.
 

Washington, dc, 2016.
 

All photographs courtesy of Jamie K. Reaser, except for the photo

that appears on p. 27, courtesy of Emily Pherigo, Columbia fwco
 

Burmese python

Python bivittatus 
 

Preface Common dandelion 

Taraxacum officinale 

I

nvasive species represent one of the most significant 

threats to ecosystems, human and animal health, infrastructure, the economy, and cultural resources. Alarmingly, the threat is growing. Climate change and the

globalization of trade, travel, and transport are greatly

increasing the number and type of species moved around

the world, as well as the rate of movement. Simultaneously, changes in land use and climate are rendering some

habitats more susceptible to the establishment of nonnative species and may amplify the adverse impacts of

biological invasion.

Although the challenge is substantial, it is not insurmountable. We can act now – decisively and strategically

– to prevent and mitigate the adverse impacts of invasive 

species on our ecosystems, health, economies, and infrastructure. Our charge is to join together, and take action.

The United States (u.s.) should sustain and expand its 

efforts to address the threats that invasive species pose to 

biosecurity, including threats to food, water, human and 

animal health, the environment, infrastructure, cultures,

the economy, energy, military readiness, international

relations, and other national concerns. Past efforts at

preventing, eradicating, and controlling invasive species 

demonstrate that collaboration across all levels of government and with the private sector is critical to minimizing

the spread and impact of invasive species on the u.s.

Executive Order (e.o.) 13112 established the National 

Invasive Species Council (nisc or Council) to “provide

national leadership regarding invasive species.” The nisc 

Management Plan 2016–2018 identifies high priority, interdepartmental actions for the Federal government and its 

partners to take to prevent, eradicate, and control invasive 

species, as well as restore ecosystems and other assets

adversely impacted by invasive species. 

Over the next two years, the nisc Management Plan will 

help guide the actions that the Council and nisc Member 

Departments/Agencies collectively take to prevent and

mitigate the impact of invasive species. The staff working

for the Council (nisc Secretariat) will work with nisc and

its member Departments/Agencies to coordinate Federal

interagency efforts in the following areas identified by

e.o. 13112: 

• Provide Federal leadership on invasive species issues 

by establishing the structures, policy, and planning

priorities necessary to enable Federal agencies to effectively prevent, eradicate, and/or control invasive

species, as well as restore impacted ecosystems and

other assets. 

• Limit the spread and impact of invasive species

through high-level policy and planning by strengthening coordination between the u.s. and other governments, across the Federal government, and between 

the Federal government and non-governmental

stakeholders. 

• Raise awareness of the invasive species issue and mobilize the policies, programs, and financial resources 

necessary to minimize the spread and impact of invasive species.

• Remove institutional and policy barriers to the Federal actions needed to prevent, eradicate, and control 

invasive species, as well as restore ecosystems and

other assets. 

• Conduct assessments of Federal capacities to meet 

iii 
the duties set forth in e.o. 13112, as well as other high-level policy priorities, and 

build Federal capacities, as needed.

• Foster the scientific, technical, and programmatic innovation necessary to enable 

Federal agencies and their partners to prevent and mitigate the impacts of invasive

species in a timely and cost-effective manner with negligible impacts to human 

and environmental health. 

In February 2016, the Federal government released Safeguarding America’s Lands 

and Waters from Invasive Species: A National Framework for Early Detection and Rapid 

Response (hereafter edrr Framework).1 The edrr Framework serves as the first step in

the development and implementation of a national program for the early detection of

and rapid response to potentially invasive species that affect priority landscapes and 

waters. This two-year nisc Management Plan places an emphasis on early detection 

and rapid response work to advance the edrr Framework. 

It is an honor to chair nisc. The nisc Management Plan is a call to collective action. 

The actions provide us with a guide on where to place our priorities, and where to

invest in the future. They warrant an urgent response backed by the full commitment

of nisc and its partners. 

We would like to thank all of the individuals – Federal employees and non-Federal

advisors – who contributed to this document and the vision that it holds. 

Sincerely, 

Kristen J. Sarri 

Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary

Policy, Management and Budget

u.s. Department of the Interior 

Robert Bonnie 

Undersecretary for Natural Resources and the Environment

u.s. Department of Agriculture 

Christine Blackburn 

Performing the Duties of Assistant Secretary for Conservation and Management

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

u.s. Department of Commerce 

1 Department of the Interior (2016) 

iv 
Contents 

Introduction · 1
 

priority actions 

i. Provide Institutional Leadership and Set Priorities · 7
 

ii. Facilitate Effective Coordination and Cost-Efficiencies · 10
 

iii. Raise Awareness and Motivate High-Impact Actions · 16
 

iv. Remove Barriers · 18
 

v. Assess and Strengthen Federal Capacities · 22
 

vi. Foster Innovation · 25
 

annexes 

i. 2016–2018 Management Plan Implementation Strategy · 29
 

ii. Executive Order 13112 of February 3, 1999 · 32
 

iii. nisc Members · 36
 

iv. nisc Principals · 38
 

v. Acronyms · 40
 

vi. Glossary of Terms · 41
 
“Whether or not a non-native 

species is or will become harmful 

is context dependent; the risks 

change among localities and

through time.” 

Leafy spurge

Euphorbia esula vi 
 

Introduction 

American bullfrog

Lithobates catesbeianus 

I nvasive species are alien (non-native) species whose

introduction does or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health.1

 They can 

also adversely impact plant and animal health, undermine

food and water security, jeopardize the integrity of critical

infrastructure, threaten the livelihoods and cultures of

people who are largely dependent upon local resources,

compromise resistance to and recovery from ecological

disturbances, and infest military equipment and training

facilities, thus compromising military readiness. Every

year, harm caused by invasive species costs governments, 

industries, and private citizens substantial economic losses

– losses potentially reaching into the billions of dollars. 

The diversity and severity of the impacts of invasive

species are often the result of the effects that invasive

species have on a wide range of ecosystem services that

underpin human well-being and economic growth. By

driving the endangerment and extinction of a wide range

of plants and animals; degrading freshwater, marine, and

terrestrial ecosystems; and altering ecological cycles, invasive species adversely influence a wide range of human necessities. Ultimately, invasive species undermine 

security – the security of individuals, communities, and 

nations. 

Not all non-native species are harmful, however; many

are beneficial and play substantial roles in our economy 

(e.g., in agriculture and fisheries). Whether or not a nonnative species is or will become harmful is context dependent; the risks change among localities and through 

1 Executive Order 13112 (Invasive Species), February 3, 1999. 

time. It is possible for a species that is invasive in a novel 

ecosystem to be rare or endangered in its native range. 

Unfortunately, the risk and impacts of biological invasion are growing. The globalization of trade, travel, and 

transport is greatly increasing the number and type of

non-native species moved around the world, as well as the

rate of movement. Emerging pathways and changing trade

patterns result in the translocation of organisms among 

ecosystems, often with unpredictable consequences. At

the same time, changes in land use and climate are rendering some habitats – even the best protected and most 

remote natural areas – more susceptible to invasive species.

Non-native species do not respect jurisdictional boundaries. Effective communication and collaboration with 

neighboring jurisdictions, as well as with trading partners, is thus of paramount importance in the prevention, 

eradication, and control of invasive species. Governments

and their partners need to work together to reduce the

risks of biological invasion by managing the means by

which organisms are intentionally and unintentionally

moved among ecosystems, cooperate in on-the-ground

management efforts across shared ecosystems, and address the various factors that make ecosystems particularly

vulnerable to the adverse impacts of invasive species.

Because biological invasion is a context-specific phenomenon that changes through time and across landscapes, measures to address invasive species need to be

timely and fit to purpose. Four general approaches are

used to minimize the impact of invasive species, each

associated with a different stage in the invasion process: 

1
 
 

 

1.	 Prevention (keep invasive species from entering a

new ecosystem);

2. Eradication (remove the entire population of a nonnative species); 

3.	 Control (contain or otherwise manage the population of an invasive species so as to minimize spread 

and impacts); and 

4. Ecosystem restoration (recovering ecosystems

post-removal of invasive species in order to build

resistance and resilience to future introductions of 

non-native species). 

Preventing the introduction of potentially harmful organisms is not only the first line of defense for minimizing

the spread and impact of invasive species, it is also the

most cost-effective strategy. Prevention includes border surveillance and Preventing the introduction of tive, therefore, that the factors leading

controls, as well as the management potentially harmful organisms is to habitat degradation are addressed 

of invasion pathways (means of in- not only the first line of defense for and habitats are restored in order to 

tentional or unintentional transport) build resistance to further invasion. 

through regulatory and non-regu- minimizing the spread and impact The Presidential Memorandum on 

latory measures. Science-based risk of invasive alien species, it is also Incorporating Natural Infrastructure

analyses and horizon scanning tools the most cost-effective strategy. and Ecosystem Services into Federal 

are used to inform regulations that Decision-Making5 directs Federal 

either permit or prohibit the entry of certain non-native 

species at jurisdictional borders.

When harmful non-native species breach prevention systems, it is important to quickly detect, contain

(if necessary), and eradicate these organisms (if feasible) 

before they have the opportunity to establish in a new

location and cause harm. This process is generally referred

to as “early detection and rapid response” or “edrr.” In 

February 2016, the Federal government released Safeguarding America’s Lands and Waters from Invasive Species: A National Framework for Early Detection and Rapid 

Response (hereafter edrr Framework),2 as a response to the

Priority Agenda: Enhancing Climate Resilience of America’s 

Natural Resources published by the Council on Climate

Preparedness and Resilience in October 2014.3 The edrr 

Framework serves as the first step in the development 

and implementation of a national program for the early 

detection of and rapid response to non-native species that

have the potential to adversely impact priority landscapes

and waters. 

Control programs are necessary when populations of 

invasive species become so well-established that eradica2 Department of the Interior (2016) 

3 White House (2014) 

tion is no longer logistically or economically feasible. They

are, however, costly in terms of time, money, and, often, 

socio-political will. Integrated approaches to invasive

species control have proven particularly effective when

invasive species have infested large areas. In such cases, 

mechanical control (e.g., pulling plants or trapping animals), chemical control (biocides or toxicants), biological 

control (use of other living organisms to suppress invasive

species),4 or other approaches (e.g., wildlife management

and medicine) are used in combination. 

Ecosystem restoration is the fourth aspect of a comprehensive strategy to minimize the spread and impact

of invasive species. Invasive species may thrive in disturbed and otherwise degraded landscapes, and the act

of removing invasive species can, in and of itself, be an

ecological disturbance. It is imperaagencies to incorporate ecosystem services into decisionmaking and assess the impact of their actions on ecosystem services. It provides a new framework for building

ecological resistance to biological invasion.

Awareness raising, education, human and institutional

capacity building, regulatory and legal frameworks, information management, scientific research, economic assessment, technological innovation, and multi-stakeholder

cooperation need to be integrated into every aspect of a 

comprehensive strategy to address invasive species.

The u.s. should sustain and expand efforts to address 

the threats that invasive species pose to national security, including threats to food, water, human and animal 

health, the environment, infrastructure, cultures, the

economy, energy, military readiness, and other national 

assets. Past efforts at preventing, eradicating, and controlling invasive species have demonstrated that collaboration

across all levels of government and with the private sector

is critical to minimizing the spread and impact of invasive

species on the United States and its citizenry. 

4 The use of mechanical, chemical, and biological control in 

combination is often referred to as “integrated pest management (ipm).” 

5	 White House (2015) 

2 
 

 

 

z
 

the national invasive
 

species council
 

Executive Order (e.o.) 13112 established the National

Invasive Species Council (nisc or Council) on February 

3, 1999. The eight original nisc members included the 

Secretaries of State, the Treasury, Defense, the Interior, 

Agriculture, Commerce, and Transportation, and the

Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency 

(epa). Since that time, the Secretaries of Homeland Security and Health and Human Services (hhs), the u.s.

Trade Representative (ustr), and the Administrators of 

the u.s. Agency for International Development (usaid) 

and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

() joined the Council. The Secretaries of the Interior,

Agriculture, and Commerce chair nisc. 

e.o. 13112 directs nisc to “provide national leadership 

regarding invasive species” and identifies seven primary 

duties for the Council: (1) oversee the implementation

of this order and see that the Federal agency activities

concerning invasive species are coordinated, complementary, cost-efficient, and effective; (2) encourage planning 

and action at local, tribal, state, regional, and ecosystembased levels to achieve the goals and objectives of the

nisc Management Plan; (3) develop recommendations for 

international cooperation in addressing invasive species;

(4) develop, in consultation with the Council on Environmental Quality (ceq), guidance to Federal agencies pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (nepa) on 

prevention and control of invasive species; (5) facilitate

development of a coordinated network among Federal

agencies to document, evaluate, and monitor impacts from

invasive species on the economy, the environment, and

human health; (6) facilitate establishment of a coordinated, up-to-date information-sharing system to facilitate

access to and exchange of information concerning invasive species; and (7) prepare and issue a national Invasive 

Species Management Plan.6

 The e.o. also requires nisc

to develop and recommend to the President legislative

proposals for necessary changes in authority.

nisc’s high-level policy and planning activities benefit

from the technical input provided by Federal agency staff

and Federal inter-agency bodies working on invasive species issues, as well as non-Federal stakeholders. e.o. 13112

charged the Secretary of the Interior with establishing an

advisory committee under the Federal Advisory Commit6 See Annex ii for a complete text of Executive Order 13112. 

tee Act (faca), 5 u.s.c. § App. 2, to provide information 

and advice for consideration by the Council. Among other

things, the Invasive Species Advisory Committee (isac) 

is to “recommend plans and actions at local, tribal, state, 

regional, and ecosystem-based levels to achieve the goals 

and objectives of the Management Plan.” isac members

include representatives of state, territorial, tribal, and local governments, as well as academic institutions, nongovernmental organizations, and the private sector.

The Department of the Interior () hosts the nisc Secretariat, a staff that provides the guidance and support

necessary for the Council to undertake its duties. The

nisc Secretariat serves as the primary point of contact

for nisc; provides scientific and technical advice to nisc

members; works to ensure effective communication and 

collaboration across Federal Departments/Agencies and 

among Federal inter-agency bodies; on behalf of nisc, 

coordinates interdepartmental planning processes and

project implementation; manages isac and its subcommittees; develops and coordinates implementation of the 

nisc Management Plan; oversees the nisc website; and

reports on nisc accomplishments. 

z
 

the nisc management plan
 

The nisc Management Plan identifies the high priority,

interdepartmental actions that the Federal government

and its partners can take to prevent, eradicate, and control

invasive species, as well as recover species and restore

habitats and other assets adversely impacted by invasive 

species. It aligns with nisc’s unique roles and responsibilities as identified in e.o. 13112: institutional leadership 

and priority setting; facilitating coordination and costefficiency; raising awareness and motivating high-impact

action; removing barriers to the ability of Federal agencies

to prevent, eradicate, and control invasive species; assessing and strengthening Federal capacities; and fostering innovative problem solving through cutting-edge advances

in science, technology, and programmatic management. 

The nisc Secretariat coordinated development of the 

nisc Management Plan with input from nisc member Departments/Agencies, Federal inter-agency bodies, and

non-Federal stakeholders. The nisc Management Plan 

complies with e.o. 13112’s requirement to update an invasive species management plan biennially. It is intended to

be “bold yet practical,” taking time and resource limitations into consideration. The nisc Secretariat, working 

with nisc member Departments/Agencies, will coordi3 
 

 

 

Japanese beetle

Popillia japonica 

nate implementation of the nisc Management Plan. The 

nisc Secretariat secured the minimum funding necessary

for this coordination. If additional funding becomes available, priority actions can be scaled up, as appropriate. 

Many of the action items in this version of the nisc 

Management Plan operationalize recommendations contained in the recently released edrr Framework; however, 

nisc fully recognizes the importance of investing in the 

wide range of approaches and tools necessary to prevent, 

eradicate, and control invasive species, as well as restore 

ecosystems. These approaches were addressed in the 2001

and 2008 National Invasive Species Management Plans,7 

and nisc plans to continue the work to fully implement 

these and additional actions. 

It is not feasible for the nisc Management Plan to address all of the actions necessary for the Federal government to effectively prevent, eradicate, and control invasive

species, or restore habitats. Invasive species issues are

inherently context-specific; they change through time

and across ecosystems. On-the-ground measures to address invasive species need to be tailored to particular

pathways, populations of non-native species, localities,

type and scale of impact, and the available resources (e.g.,

scientific and technical information, personnel, time, and

budgets). Federal land and water management agencies

and their partners are best poised to identify and carry

out the most effective and cost-efficient actions to limit 

the spread and impact of invasive species on-the-ground.

Federal agencies have developed, and will continue to

develop, species-specific technical guidance that support 

and inform the nisc Management Plan from the ground 

up. Examples include the Management and Control Plan for

Bighead, Black, Grass, and Silver Carps in the United States8 

and the Emerald Ash Borer Program Manual.9 

7 National Invasive Species Council (2001 & 2008) 

8 Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force (2007) 

9 u.s. Department of Agriculture (revised 2015) 

The implementation process for the nisc Management 

Plan will fall into four categories:10 

1. nisc Secretariat implementation (to be undertaken 

by Secretariat staff, detailees, or contractors); 

2. Inter-agency task teams (small groups composed of 

experts working for the Federal government); 

3. isac task teams (small groups composed of nonFederal experts collaborating under the auspices of 

isac); and

4. Planning processes and project implementation at

the local, tribal, and u.s. state and territory levels. 

The work necessary to implement a single action item 

might require processes that fall into multiple categories.

For example, a White Paper produced by isac might be 

used by an inter-agency task team to make recommendations for new legal authorities or institutionalize a new

program, such as an early detection and rapid response

program for invasive species. The nisc Secretariat will

work with nisc member Departments/Agencies to determine their capacity to support the implementation of 

specific action items.11 

In order to address emerging priorities, nisc may 

take up additional action items as resources permit. It

is hoped that each nisc member Department/Agency

will develop and implement a complementary plan that 

identifies needs and sets priorities for actions relevant to 

its unique mission. 

10 Nothing in this Plan is intended to alter, or should be interpreted as altering, the existing authorities of any agency. 

11 In the implementation of action items related to foreign affairs, including policy and trade negotiations, international

planning processes, and project implementation related to 

invasive species, relevant nisc member agencies such as

the Department of State, the u.s. Trade Representative’s

office, the u.s. Agency for International Development, and

the Department of Defense have lead authority consistent 

with e.o. 13112 Sec. 2 (b). 

4
 
Cheatgrass

Bromus tectorum 

5
 
Priority

Actions 

Chinese praying mantis

Tenodera sinensis 
 

I.
 Provide Institutional Leadership and Set Priorities 

goal 

provide federal leadership on invasive species issues by establishing the structures, as well as policy and planning priorities, necessary to enable Federal agencies

to effectively prevent, eradicate, and/or control invasive species. 

need 

The two previous National Invasive Species Management Plans recommended

actions to improve Federal capacity to prevent, eradicate, and control invasive

species, as well as restore affected ecosystems. A comprehensive review of the

National Invasive Species Management Plans will document the achievements

made through Federal cooperation and identify future priorities for nisc, nisc

member Departments/Agencies, and their partners. 

Action 1.1 

Review the 2001 and 2008 National Invasive Species Management Plans and

report on the outputs, highlighting major accomplishments, identifying gaps in

implementation, and making recommendations for completing the remaining 

tasks, as appropriate. 

need 

Executive Order 13112 (‘e.o. 13112’ or ‘order’) calls on nisc to “assess the effectiveness

of this order no less than once each 5 years after the order is issued and...report 

to the Office of Management and Budget (omb) on whether the order should be 

revised.”1

 The most recent review of the e.o. was conducted in 2005. 

Action 1.2 

Review the effectiveness of e.o. 13112 and make recommendations, as appropriate,

to omb for improving the order. 

need 

In the 17 years since the signing of e.o. 13112, awareness of the threat that invasive 

species pose to various aspects of national security has been well-established. Membership of nisc grew from 8 to 13 member Departments/Agencies, a Secretariat has

been put in place to provide leadership and coordination on invasive species issues 

throughout the Federal government, and two National Invasive Species Management 

Plans have been implemented through interdepartmental cooperation. Growing

interest and attention to the invasive species issue creates new opportunities for

collaboration and innovative problem-solving. It also creates a need for the Federal

government to re-evaluate priorities for policy guidance and program management.

The following actions are intended to enable nisc to take a strategic, cost-efficient 

approach to implementing its duties. 

1 Section 5(c). 

7 
 

Action 1.3 

Develop and implement guidance for strengthening institutional leadership,

coordination, and programmatic effectiveness on the invasive species issue

throughout the Federal government. The guidance should include: 

Action 1.3.1 

Terms of Reference for nisc operations, including the administration and function of the nisc Secretariat; 

Action 1.3.2 

Mechanism(s) for promoting coordination between the nisc Secretariat and

inter-agency bodies working on specific aspects of the invasive species issue,

including the reporting of inter-agency bodies to nisc; and 

Action 1.3.3 

A process for assessing and coordinating Federal priorities for investing in invasive species prevention, eradication, and/or control, as well as the recovery of 

affected species, ecosystems, and other assets. The outputs of this process will 

be used to develop future nisc Management Plans. 

need 

Accurate information, timely communication, and rapid resource mobilization are

the ‘three pillars’ of an effective program to detect and respond to new incursions 

of non-native organisms before they have the opportunity to establish, spread, and

cause harm. The report, Safeguarding America’s Lands and Waters from Invasive Species: A National Framework for Early Detection and Rapid Response (hereafter edrr 

Framework),2 released in February 2016, calls for the establishment of a ‘National 

edrr Task Force’ under the auspices of nisc.

3 

Action 1.4 

Establish Terms of Reference for and institute a National edrr Task Force 

within the nisc structure that will guide implementation of the edrr Framework. 

Although an interim structure may be warranted until the edrr Implementation Plan is completed (Action 1.5), National edrr Task Force membership is 

ultimately envisioned to include senior-level representatives of Federal Departments/Agencies, states, territories, tribes, and other governmental bodies who 

have the capacity to set national priorities and mobilize resources for the early 

detection of and rapid response to invasive species that affect priority landscapes

and waters throughout the United States.4 The National edrr Task Force will 

report to nisc. 

2 Department of the Interior (2016)

3 Recommendation 1. 

4 This is to include the process of identifying “Federal agency edrr leads at national,

regional, and state levels to facilitate and help coordinate edrr efforts with states, tribes,

and other partners” as called for in the edrr Framework (2016). 

8 
need
 

The edrr Framework sets forth five general recommendations for the establishment

of a national program for the early detection of and rapid response to invasive species. An implementation plan is necessary to: 1) define a clear vision, as well as goals

and objectives, for the national program; 2) set priorities and mechanisms in place 

for well-coordinated action; 3) identify the roles and responsibilities of the Federal 

agencies and non-Federal partners expected to implement the program; 4) evaluate

the current resources dedicated to edrr and identify opportunities for garnering 

additional resources to better support implementation of a national program; and 

5) determine how, when, and where the priority actions will be achieved. 

Action 1.5 

Taking into consideration the outputs of Action 5.1 (below), its components, and

advice from the National edrr Task Force, produce an implementation plan for

a nation-wide program for the early detection of and rapid response to invasive 

species. The implementation plan will provide specific guidance for: (a) instituting

early detection and rapid response programs for Federal lands and waters; (b)

proposing financial and institutional mechanisms to support the efforts of states,

territories, and tribes to enact early detection and rapid response programs for 

invasive species (see also Action 2.5 and its components); (c) building the capacity of the Federal government to share the scientific and technical information 

necessary to inform rapid decision making when new incursions of non-native 

species are detected; (d) improving tools and technologies for the early detection of and response to invasive species; and (e) designing and implementing a 

National Alert System to enable rapid reporting (warning) on the detection of 

non-native species of substantial national concern. 

9
 
 

II.
 Facilitate Effective Coordination and Cost-Efficiency 

goal 

limit the spread and impact of invasive species through high-level policy and 

planning by strengthening coordination between the u.s. and other governments;

across the Federal government; among Federal, state, territorial, tribal, and local 

agencies; and between the Federal government and non-governmental stakeholders. 

need 

e.o. 13112 directs nisc to “see that the Federal agency activities concerning invasive

species are coordinated, complementary, cost-efficient, and effective....”1 Due to 

varying levels of expertise on the invasive species issue, ongoing capacity building 

is necessary to ensure effective coordination of Federal actions to address invasive 

species. 

Action 2.1 

As a contribution to Action 1.3, identify and take the steps to strengthen the ability of nisc member Departments/Agencies to effectively motivate, coordinate, 

and report on inter-agency actions to implement nisc priorities. 

need 

Starting in 2004, nisc member Departments/Agencies began collaborating on a 

‘crosscut budget’ to inform a coordinated multi-departmental approach to meeting

high-priority prevention, eradication, and/or control activities that are beyond the 

capacity of a single Department/Agency to achieve. The crosscut budget is developed

on an annual basis. Additional planning is needed to assess the capacity of nisc

member Departments/Agencies to identify and mobilize the resources necessary 

to implement emerging priorities and future nisc Management Plans. 

Action 2.2.1 

Develop annual, comprehensive invasive species crosscut budgets and report

findings to nisc, isac, states/territories, tribes, and Congress. 

Action 2.2.2 

Assess investments, resource needs, and opportunities to leverage the additional

resources that nisc needs to implement emerging priorities and nisc Management Plans. 

need 

The Federal government currently lacks cost-benefit analyses of Federal investments

in the early detection of and rapid response to new incursions of non-native species.

These analyses are needed to guide implementation of the edrr Framework, as well

as help prioritize and ensure greater efficiencies in Federal spending in fiscal year 

(fy) 2018 and beyond. 

1 Section 4. 

10 
 

Action 2.3 

Conduct cost-benefit analyses of edrr programs for potential invasive species 

to: (a) project the return on investment in these programs, (b) project the cost 

of “no action” had these programs not been in place, and (c) provide guidance 

for future spending on edrr programs. 

need 

The capacity of the Federal government to prevent and respond to biological inva-

sions depends on ready access to the best available scientific and socio-economic 

information. Recognizing this, e.o. 13112 called for “the establishment of a co-

ordinated, up-to-date information sharing system that utilizes, to the greatest

extent practicable, the Internet.”2 At this time, numerous information systems

exist within the u.s. and other countries that provide data and other information 

resources relevant to addressing the invasive species issue. Each of these information

systems was developed to meet different goals, objectives, and standards. Rather 

than creating a single information-sharing system, there is a need to create an

interface among existing information systems that will enable them to become

inter-operable, to foster simultaneous access, and to deliver information as if they 

were a single information system. Numerous data providers and data users are

calling for the development of the standards, formats, and protocols needed to

facilitate the inter-operability of information systems. In October 2015, isac called

for the establishment of a task team to fulfill this need.3 

Action 2.4 

In order to facilitate inter-operability of data and other information resources 

relevant to addressing the invasive species issue, establish guidance for data

management standards, formats, and protocols. The guidance should target the 

most relevant (high priority) information systems, capitalize existing standards,4 

and take into consideration the work that the Global Invasive Alien Species

Information Partnership already initiated to explore options for information

system inter-operability. 

need 

e.o. 13112 calls on nisc to “encourage planning and action at local, tribal, state,

regional, and ecosystem-based levels to achieve the goals and objectives of the

nisc Management Plan.”

5

 Although representatives of states, territories, and tribes 

serve on isac, the need remains for a strategic approach to Federal coordination 

with states (including local authorities and territories), tribes, North American

frameworks,

6

 and ecosystem-scale initiatives.7 

2 Section 4 (f).

3 “nisc staff should establish a task team to inventory and develop, as needed, data man-

agement standards, formats and protocols to ensure inter-operability to support infor-

mation transfer, national distribution mapping, and awareness of species occurrences 

and spread...” Action item recommended, October 30, 2015.

4 For example, the North American Invasive Species Management Association mapping 

standards. 

5 Section 4(b).

6 Examples of relevant regional coordinating bodies include: North American Plant

Protection Organization (nappo), Commission for Environmental Cooperation (cec),

and Trilateral Committee for Wildlife and Ecosystem Conservation and Management

(The TriLateral Committee).

7 Section 4(b). 

11 
Action 2.5.1 

Develop recommendations for coordinating Federal agency activities to implement e.o. 13112 with u.s. states and territories. Implement recommendations as 

time and resources permit. 

Action 2.5.2 

Develop recommendations for coordinating Federal agency activities to implement e.o. 13112 with Federally-recognized tribes, as well as Native Alaskan

and Native Hawaiian communities. Implement recommendations as time and 

resources permit. Prior to implementing the recommendations, consult with

Federally-recognized tribes pursuant to Executive Order 13175 of November

6, 2000 (Consultation and Coordination With Indian Tribal Governments). 

Action 2.5.3 

Further collaborate on addressing invasive species in North America. Establish 

a trilateral working group to explore the development of a joint Strategy and

Action Plan identifying key areas for collaboration, including under the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (cec), and to initiate a survey of existing

transboundary invasive species projects and initiatives.8 

Action 2.5.4 

As called for in the edrr Framework,

9

 promote pilot projects across a variety

of u.s. ecosystems that explore innovative, multi-stakeholder approaches to the 

early detection of and rapid response to invasive species. 

need 

e.o. 13112 calls for both ecosystem-level coordination10 and international cooperation.11 The Implementation Plan for The National Strategy for the Arctic Region 12 directs 

8 Action item adopted as an aspect of the North American Leadership Summit (nals) 

Action Plan on June 29, 2016. 

9 Recommendation 4. 

10 Section 4(b). 

11 Section 4(c). 

12 White House (2014); Action Item 3.5.1 to be completed by the end of 2017. 

12 
the Federal government to “develop, implement, and maintain an international

invasive species prevention and management plan.” 

Action 2.6 

Under the auspices of the Arctic Council’s Conservation of Arctic Flora and 

Fauna (caff) Invasive Species Working Group, work with international partners

to develop a strategy and action plan for the prevention and management of

invasive species across the Arctic region. 

need 

Experience around the world has shown that one of the most substantial barriers 

to effectively implementing invasive species strategies and action plans is poor

governmental institutionalization of the invasive species issue. Governmental

capacity to address the invasive species issue is highly variable. There is a need to 

build the institutional capacity necessary for effective implementation of national 

and regional invasive species strategies and action plans over the long-term. The 

following action will provide an initial step in assisting u.s. territories, states, tribes,

and other governments in their efforts to institutionalize the invasive species issue. 

Action 2.7 

Collaborate in the development and delivery of training courses and guidance 

on institutionalizing invasive species programs for government representatives 

charged with developing and/or implementing invasive species strategies and

action plans. Provide examples of the mechanisms used by nisc to institutionalize

invasive species initiatives within the Federal government. 

13
 
need
 

Free trade agreements (ftas) can serve as a tool to help trading partners prevent 

and mitigate the adverse impacts of invasive species through inter-governmental 

cooperation and information exchange. The recently-signed Trans Pacific Partnership (tpp) Agreement between the United States and eleven other countries

includes a commitment for parties to coordinate among relevant fta committees 

to identify opportunities to share information and management experiences on

the movement, prevention, detection, control, and eradication of invasive species, 

with a view to enhancing efforts to assess and address the risks and adverse impacts

of invasive species. The negotiations building towards a Transatlantic Trade and 

Investment Partnership (ttip) with the European Union (e.u.) may provide another

opportunity to explore cooperation on invasive species. 

Action 2.8.1 

Explore opportunities in ttip to cooperate in the area of invasive species. 

Action 2.8.2 

Explore opportunities with the European Commission, Council of Europe, and/

or other appropriate organizations to share experiences, scientific and technical 

information, and best practices. This could include, for example, video conferences for information exchanges between technical experts and/or regulators. 

14 

III.
 Raise Awareness and Motivate High-Impact Actions 

goal 

raise awareness of the invasive species issue and mobilize the policies, programs,

and financial resources necessary to minimize the spread and impact of invasive 

species. 

need 

Although invasive species are among the greatest threats to biodiversity, the

economy, and human well-being worldwide, the invasive species issue has not yet 

achieved a level of recognition that is consistent with the substantial scale of the 

ecological and socio-economic impacts resulting from biological invasion. nisc

recognizes the fundamental need to: (a) raise greater awareness of the threats posed

by invasive species and (b) inspire concerted action to prevent, eradicate, and/or

control potentially harmful non-native organisms. 

Action 3.1.1 

Create a conceptual framework for developing the messages and delivery mechanisms that will substantially increase awareness of and responsibility for the

invasive species issue among key policy makers,1 nonprofit and industry leaders, philanthropic foundations, and development assistance organizations.2

 The 

conceptual framework will take into consideration and, as appropriate, leverage

existing awareness-raising programs and events (e.g., National Invasive Species 

Awareness Week). Implement the conceptual framework as time and resources 

permit. 

Action 3.1.2 

Produce a documentary on invasive species for the general public that draws linkages between invasive species and people’s everyday lives (e.g., the morning cup 

of coffee, the family dog, baseball as the all-American pastime, gardening and 

other popular hobbies, and summer vacation at the beach or in the mountains). 

need 

There is a need to better utilize the nisc website3 and other reporting mechanisms 

for effective, consistent information sharing, as well as to raise public awareness of 

the invasive species issue. 

1 Includes local, state, territorial, tribal governments, as well as bi- and multi-lateral

frameworks. 

2 Includes major national and/or international development banks.

3 http://www.doi.gov/invasivespecies 

16 
Action 3.2 

Taking into consideration Section 4(f) of e.o. 13112,4 develop and initiate implementation of a communications plan for the nisc website and associated communications platforms to include: 

Action 3.2.1 

A comprehensive strategy for website function and design (including Actions 

3.2.2, 3.2.3 below); 

Action 3.2.2 

Ongoing publication of blogs that feature stories highlighting the impacts of

invasive species (‘Impacts’ blog), provide alerts on new introductions or potential

introductions (‘Alerts’ blog), and promote Federal actions taken to effectively

address invasive species (‘Success Stories’ blog); 

Action 3.2.3 

An electronic toolkit that provides communications guidance and resources for 

the nisc member Departments/Agencies. This is to include, at minimum: talking

points and briefing papers on the invasive species issue, fact sheets on invasive 

species issues as they relate to each of the member Departments/Agencies, and 

best practices for developing and implementing highly impactful communications initiatives (e.g., undertaking stakeholder analyses, social marketing, and 

impact assessments); 

Action 3.2.4 

Webinars and/or podcasts that provide Federal agencies and their partners with

the information necessary to effectively implement e.o. 13112 and related directives by: (a) raising awareness of emerging threats, research, and technologies; 

(b) providing a forum for dialogue on complex and/or controversial aspects of 

the invasive species issue; and (c) promoting innovative work by Federal agencies

and their partners to prevent, eradicate, and/or control invasive species; 

Action 3.2.5 

Annual reports on implementation of the nisc Management Plan and other 

high-priority initiatives; and 

Action 3.2.6 

Establishment of a stakeholder database to enable the Council to more effectively

inform and engage a wide-range of individuals and organizations interested in 

supporting its work. 

4 Section 4(f) provides, “Facilitate establishment of a coordinated, up-to-date informationsharing system that utilizes, to the greatest extent practicable, the Internet; this system

shall facilitate access to and exchange of information concerning invasive species, including, but not limited to, information on distribution and abundance of invasive species; 

life histories of such species and invasive characteristics; economic, environmental, and

human health impacts; management techniques; and laws and programs for management, research, and public education.” 

17 
IV.
 Remove Barriers 

goal 

remove institutional and policy barriers to the Federal actions needed to prevent, eradicate, and control invasive species, as well as recover species and restore 

habitats and other assets. 

need 

Section 4(d) of e.o. 13112 calls for nisc to “develop, in consultation with the Council

on Environmental Quality (ceq), guidance to Federal agencies pursuant to the

National Environmental Policy Act (nepa) on prevention and control of invasive 

species, including the procurement, use, and maintenance of native species as they

affect invasive species.” 

Action 4.1 

In keeping with nepa requirements, develop a general introductory document 

and associated annexes that provide effective guidance for the prevention, eradication, and control of invasive species, as well as the restoration of impacted

habitats. Each annex will provide guidance on a specific aspect of the invasive 

species issue. The first annexes are to be developed within the scope of this nisc 

Management Plan, but annexes may be added as needs dictate and resources

permit. The initial annexes include: 

Action 4.1.1 

Use of native seed/plants in habitat restoration;1 

Action 4.1.2 

Movement of watercraft among water bodies;2

 and 

Action 4.1.3 

Reducing the risk of biological invasion via managed relocation.3 

need 

Because non-native species typically enter the u.s. through ports of entry in urban 

environments, some of the first observable impacts may be to infrastructure. In

many cases, species that initially impacted infrastructure have had devastating

impacts on ecological systems, agriculture, and/or fisheries when they spread into 

1 This is to align with the National Seed Strategy for Rehabilitation and Restoration (Plant 

Conservation Alliance, 2015).

2 This annex is to be developed in partnership with the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task 

Force (anstf) and take into consideration the information contained in the Federal Lands 

Policy Options Paper for Addressing the Movement of Aquatic Invasive Species onto and off of

Federal Lands (Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force (anstf) and nisc-Secretariat, 2015).

3 Also referred to as ‘assisted migration.’ This annex was requested as a priority of the

National Park Service and is also consistent with work being initiated by the u.s. Fish 

and Wildlife Service. 

18 
 

less modified landscapes and waterways. The United States currently lacks the

comprehensive authority, or clarity of authority, necessary to effectively prevent,

eradicate, and control invasive species that impact the human-built environment 

(“infrastructure”). This prevents rapid response to some of the most damaging

invasive species. It also limits the ability of agencies to prioritize and allocate the 

resources necessary to control invasive species that threaten public security (e.g., 

zebra mussels [Dreissena polymorpha] incapacitating power plants and irrigation

systems), undermine costly Federal programs (e.g., the Raspberry/tawny crazy ant 

[Nylanderia fulva], which has impacted electrical systems at the Port of Houston 

and nasa Johnson Space Center in Houston), and cause homeowners to incur

substantial repair and maintenance costs (e.g., Formosan termite [Coptotermes 

formosanu]). 

Action 4.2.1 

Compile case studies of the invasive species impacts on infrastructure in the

United States and make them available through the nisc website or other public

domain. The case studies should address: (a) biology of the organism in native and introduced ranges; (b) locality, date, and pathway of introduction; (c) 

documented impacts to infrastructure (including a timeline and economic costs);

(d) documented non-infrastructure impacts (including a timeline and economic

costs); (e) measures taken to eradicate/control the species and associated Federal

costs; and (f) projected needs (including technologies and funding) to eradicate 

the species. 

Action 4.2.2 

Taking into consideration the output of Action 4.2.1, develop guidance that

enables Federal agencies to take the necessary action to prevent, eradicate, and 

control non-native species that harm or have the potential to harm infrastructure

within the United States and its overseas territories. 

need 

In recent decades, non-native pathogens, parasites, and disease vectors have had 

devastating impacts on native wildlife (e.g., white-nose syndrome has contributed to

the decline of hibernating species of native bats). The United States currently lacks a

comprehensive authority to effectively prevent, eradicate, and control invasive species

that cause or transmit wildlife disease. This has resulted in substantial impacts at 

species- and ecosystem-levels. In response, the u.s. Government Accountability

Office (gao) outlined recommendations to improve inter-agency collaboration to 

reduce the risk of animal-related diseases.4 

Action 4.3.1 

Compile case studies of invasive species impacts on wildlife health in the u.s.

and make them available through the nisc website or other public domain.5 

Address (as feasible): (a) the biology of the organism in native and introduced 

ranges; (b) locality, date, and pathway of introduction into the United States;

(c) documented impacts to wildlife health (including a timeline and economic 

costs); (d) measures taken to eradicate/control the species and associated Federal 

4 u.s. Government Accountability Office, 2010. gao-11-9. Live animal imports: Agencies 

need better collaboration to reduce the risk of animal-related diseases. 

5 To include pathogens, parasites, and their vectors. 

19 
costs; and (e) projected needs (including technologies and funding) to eradicate 

the species from the United States.6 

Action 4.3.2 

Taking into consideration the output of Action 4.3.1, develop guidance that

enables Federal agencies to take the necessary action to prevent, eradicate, and 

control non-native species that harm or have the potential to harm wildlife health

within the United States, including its overseas territories. The recommendation

will need to carefully consider the differing, yet complementary, roles of Federal,

state, territorial, and tribal agencies in managing non-native species that could 

impact wildlife health. 

Feral pig

Sus scrofa 

6 All costs may be generalized by thousands/millions of dollars, unless actual costs are 

known. 

20
 

V.
 Assess and Strengthen Federal Capacities 

goal 

conduct assessments of Federal capacities to meet the duties set forth in e.o.

13112, as well as other high-level policy priorities, and build Federal capacities, as 

needed.1 

need 

The edrr Framework calls for a series of assessments to inform the development of

an implementation plan for a national early detection and rapid response program 

for invasive species.2 Although these assessments are largely focused on u.s. government capacities, the international aspects of securing scientific and technical

information and building institutional capacity should be taken into consideration,

as appropriate. 

Action 5.1 

Undertake scientific, technical, and institutional assessments in order to determine the capacities and resources necessary to establish a national early detection

and rapid response program for invasive species that affect priority landscapes and

waters. Each assessment is to: (a) provide an overview of existing institutional 

capacities, (b) identify gaps in capacities, and (c) recommend measures to build 

the necessary institutional capacities.3

 Prioritize assessments of: 

Action 5.1.1 

Federal agency capacity for the early detection of and/or rapid response to potentially harmful non-native species, as well as the costs of administering these 

programs.4 

Action 5.1.2 

Federal legal authorities, regulations, and policies’ ability to enable or limit the 

early detection of and/or rapid response to potentially harmful non-native species. 

Action 5.1.3 

The capacity of the Federal government to conduct the risk analyses and horizon

scanning necessary to produce timely and well-informed watch lists of potentially

harmful non-native species. 

1 Although there are a wide range of needs for Federal assessments and capacity building, due to limited staffing and financial resources, this version of the nisc Management 

Plan focuses on the assessments recommended in the edrr Framework. It is expected 

that future versions of the nisc Management Plan will prioritize additional aspects of 

invasive species prevention and management, from both the assessment and capacitybuilding perspective.

2 Recommendation 5.
 

3 See the edrr Framework for further details on each assessment.
 

4 The edrr Framework calls for “a similar effort should be undertaken to understand
 

non-Federal spending and anticipated needs.” Recommendation 2. 

22 
Action 5.1.4 

The capacity of the Federal government and its partners to rapidly and accurately

report the identity (taxonomy) of non-native organisms intercepted in early

detection programs. 

Action 5.1.5 

Relevant information systems to provide the data and other information necessary

for risk analyses/horizon scanning (Action 5.1.3), rapid specimen identification 

(Action 5.1.4), and rapid response planning. 

Action 5.1.6 

Current tools and technologies to enable the early detection of and rapid response

to potentially harmful non-native species. Electronically catalog the tools and 

technologies currently available to support a national edrr program for potentially harmful non-native species. 

Action 5.1.7 

Relevant inventory and monitoring programs to detect new incursions of potentially harmful non-native organisms in the United States.5 

5 This is to include a wide range of Federal and non-Federal biodiversity inventory and 

monitoring initiatives. It is likely that the majority of these initiatives were established 

to assess native biodiversity. However, the data and infrastructure that they provide

may serve as the foundation for building a highly effective edrr program. 

23
 
Musk thistle 

Carduus nutans 
 

 

VI.
 Foster Innovation 

goal 

foster the scientific, technical, and programmatic innovation necessary to

enable Federal agencies and their partners to prevent, eradicate, and/or control

invasive species, as well as recover species and restore habitats and other assets,

in a timely and cost-effective manner with negligible impacts to human and environmental health. 

need 

Decision support tools constitute a wide range of approaches (models, techniques, 

and methods) used to foster decision making and participatory processes. These

decision support tools can be applied to a wide range of needs, such as: information

categorization and ranking, simulation and prediction, effective communication

(especially with non-experts), programmatic and institutional capacity building,

experimentation, and the exploration of policy and management options. Due

to the informational, financial, and time constraints common to invasive species 

programs, Federal agencies need decision support tools to maximize programmatic

effectiveness and cost-efficiencies. 

Action 6.1 

Create a mechanism for fostering the development, adoption, and sharing of the

decision support tools that will enable nisc member Departments/Agencies to

more effectively implement the duties set forth in e.o. 13112, nisc Management 

Plans, and other guidance documents. 

need 

The large scale and complexity of the invasive species issue frequently results in

inaction; there is a common belief that, once established, it is no longer logistically or financially feasible to eradicate or control populations of invasive species. 

This belief limits innovative thinking as well as funding for the scientific and

technological advancements that could turn a seemingly intractable situation into a

resolvable problem. There is a need to: (a) overcome limiting beliefs about scientific

and technical capacities for invasive species prevention and management, and (b) 

foster innovative problem solving. 

Action 6.2 

Working with scientific and technical institutions, organize and co-host an

Innovation Summit that: (a) promotes scientific, technical, and technological

advances that can facilitate invasive species prevention, eradication, and control,

and (b) identifies priority needs for further advances in science and technology 

that can provide solutions to some of the worst invasive species challenges in

the u.s. and elsewhere. 

25 
 

need
 

Increasingly, genetic tools are being used to detect and solve pressing environmental,

social, and health-related challenges. For example, environmental dna (edna) is 

being employed to detect and monitor the presence of potentially invasive species 

in water bodies or other moist environments. Advances in gene editing technology

are currently being explored as a means to eradicate and control invasive species. 

By altering the genomes of entire populations of wild organisms, genetic editing 

may improve capacities to prevent, eradicate, and/or control populations of invasive

species currently thought to be an indefinite problem. Interest in and support for 

gene drive technology is growing rapidly. However, there is a need to carefully

explore the potential ecological, socio-cultural, and political ramifications of using

gene editing technology to address invasive species, including the possibility that 

gene-edited organisms may spread across ecological and jurisdictional borders. 

Action 6.3.1 

Conduct an assessment of the potential ecological, socio-economic, and political

benefits and costs of gene editing technology in the context of invasive species 

prevention, eradication, and control. 

Action 6.3.2 

Taking into consideration the output of action 6.3.1., develop guidance for the 

potential ecological, socio-economic, and political benefits and costs of gene

editing technology in the context of invasive species prevention, eradication,

and control. 

need 

There is increasing interest in the harvest and use of invasive species as a means of 

eradicating or controlling invasive populations. If undertaken in a well-informed 

manner, incentivizing and encouraging public or commercial harvest represents

a significant opportunity to support ecosystem restoration and natural resource

management while simultaneously boosting economic development and environmental awareness. However, if implemented without sufficient risk and costbenefit analyses, negative consequences can occur (e.g., intentional introduction

and further spread of potentially invasive species). The success of harvest programs

depends on the biology of the particular species, specific biophysical and socioeconomic aspects of the locality (including interactions among the native and

other non-native species), the range and scale of biological invasion, and a variety 

of socio-economic factors. Little guidance is available on: (a) when and how to use 

incentivized harvest as an effective management tool for invasive species and (b) 

strategies for overcoming the logistical barriers to establishing harvest programs 

in the market place (e.g., availability of startup funding for companies that intend 

to deplete the commodity on which revenues are based). 

Action 6.4 

Building on the previous work on harvest mechanisms by isac and the Aquatic

Nuisance Species Task Force (anstf), work with relevant stakeholders to develop

best practice guidance for utilizing commercial harvest programs as an effective

management tool for invasive species already established within Federal lands 

and waters. 

26 
Silver carp

Hypophthalmichthys molitrix 
Annexes 

Common salvinia 

Salvinia minima 

Center: water lettuce 

Pistia stratiotes 
annex i 

2016–2018 Management Plan Implementation Strategy 

the nisc secretariat, working with nisc members, will coordinate implementation of the nisc Management Plan. 

The implementation process will fall into four categories:1

 (1) nisc Secretariat implementation (to be undertaken by 

Secretariat staff, detailees, or contractors); (2) inter-agency task teams (small groups composed of experts working for 

the Federal government); (3) isac task teams (small groups composed of non-Federal experts collaborating under the 

auspices of isac); and (4) planning and project implementation at the local, tribal, and u.s. state and territory levels. 

The work necessary to implement a single action item might require processes that fall into multiple categories. Additional action items may be taken up by nisc in order to address emerging priorities.2 

Action Output(s) Timeline 

1.1 

Review of the 2001 and 2008 National Invasive 

Species Management Plans 2016 

1.2 Review of e.o. 13112 2016 

1.3 Guidance for strengthening nisc

institutionalization 2016 

1.3.1 Terms of reference for nisc operations 2016 

1.3.2 Mechanism for promoting inter-agency 

coordination/reporting 2016 

1.3.3 Process for assessing and coordinating nisc

prioritization 2016 

1.4 National edrr Task Force 2017 

1.5	 Implementation Plan for National edrr Program 2017 

Tools and training for nisc member Departments/ 2.1	 Ongoing Agencies 

2.2.1	 nisc Crosscut budget 2016 & 2017 

Assessment of Federal investments, resource needs, 

2.2.2	 and resource opportunities for implementing Ongoing 

emerging priorities and nisc Management Plans 

2.3	 Cost-benefit analyses of edrr programs 2017 

2.4	 Guidelines for data standards 2016 

Recommendations for improving coordination 2.5.1	 2016–2017 with the states/territories 

1 Nothing in this Plan is intended to alter, or should be interpreted as altering, the existing authorities of any agency. 

2 In the implementation of action items related to foreign affairs, including policy and trade negotiations, international planning

processes, and project implementation related to invasive species, relevant nisc member agencies such as the Department of 

State, the u.s. Trade Representative’s office, the u.s. Agency for International Development, and the Department of Defense 

have lead authority consistent with e.o. 13112 Sec. 2 (b). 

29 
Action 

2.5.2 

Output(s) 

Recommendations for improving coordination 

with the Federally-recognized tribes, such as native 

Alaskan and Hawaiian communities 

Timeline 

2016–2017 

2.5.3 North American Invasive Alien Species Strategy 

and Action Plan 2016–2017 

2.5.4 

2.6 

edrr pilot projects 

Arctic Invasive Alien Species Strategy and Action 

Plan 

2016–2017 

2016 

2.7 

2.8.1 

2.8.2 

3.1.1 

Training courses on institutionalizing invasive 

species programs 

Invasive species specifically addressed in ttip 

Information sharing with e.u. relevant to invasive

species and trade 

Conceptual framework for awareness raising 

initiatives 

Ongoing 

2017 

2016–2017 

2017 

3.1.2 

3.2 

3.2.1 

3.2.2 

3.2.3 

3.2.4 

3.2.5 

3.2.6 

4.1 

4.1.1 

4.1.2 

Documentary film 

Plan for nisc communications platforms 

Highly impactful nisc website 

Invasive species blogs 

Electronic communications toolkit 

Invasive species webinars 

nisc annual report 

Stakeholder database 

Invasive species nepa guidance 

nepa annex use of native seed/plants in restoration 

nepa annex on movement of water craft among 

water bodies 

2017 

2016 

2016 

Ongoing 

Ongoing 

Ongoing 

Ongoing 

Ongoing 

2016 

2017 

2016–2017 

4.1.3 

4.2.1 

nepa annex on reducing risk of biological invasion 

through managed relocation 

Case studies of invasive species impacts on 

infrastructure 

2016–2017 

2016 

4.2.1 Recommendations for addressing invasive species

that impact infrastructure 2017 

30 
Action 

4.3.1 

Output(s) 

Case studies of invasive species impacts on wildlife 

health 

Timeline 

2017 

4.3.2 

5.1 

Recommendations for addressing invasive species

that impact wildlife health 

Published assessments of edrr capacities in the 

u.s. 

2017 

2016–2017 

5.1.1 

5.1.2 

Assessment of Federal edrr programs capacities 

Assessment of u.s. legal authority capacities for

edrr 

2016 

2016 

Assessment of u.s. risk analysis and horizon 5.1.3	 2016 scanning capacities 

Assessment of u.s. capacity to rapidly report the 5.1.4	 2016 identity (taxonomy) of potential invasive species 

Assessment of relevant information systems to 5.1.5	 2016 provide data for risk analyses 

Assessment of the capacity of tools and technology 5.1.6	 2016 for invasive species edrr 

Electronic catalog of edrr tools and technologies 5.1.6	 2017 for invasive species 

Assessment of u.s. inventory and monitoring

5.1.7	 capacities for application to the edrr of invasive 2016 

species 

Mechanism(s) for fostering development, adoption, 6.1	 2017 and sharing of decision support tools 

6.2	 Annual Innovation Summit Ongoing 

Assessment of cost-benefits of gene editing 6.3.1	 2016 technologies for addressing invasive species 

Guidance for the use of gene editing technologies 6.3.2	 2017 for addressing invasive species
 

Guidance for utilizing commercial harvest 6.4	 2017 programs for managing invasive species 

31 
 

 

annex ii 

Executive Order 13112 of February 3, 1999

invasive species 

by the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws 

of the United States of America, including the National Environmental Policy

Act of 1969, as amended (42 u.s.c. § 4321 et seq.), Nonindigenous Aquatic Nui-

sance Prevention and Control Act of 1990, as amended (16 u.s.c. § 4701 et seq.), 

Lacey Act, as amended (18 u.s.c. 

§ 42), Federal Plant Pest Act (7 u.s.c. § 150aa 

et seq.), Federal Noxious Weed Act of 1974, as amended (7 u.s.c. 

§ 2801 et seq.), 

Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 u.s.c. § 1531 et seq.), and other 

pertinent statutes, 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, it is ordered as follows: 

Section 1. Definitions. (a) “Alien species” means, with respect to a particular

ecosystem, any species, including its seeds, eggs, spores, or other biological mate-

rial capable of propagating that species, that is not native to that ecosystem. (b)

“Control” means, as appropriate, eradicating, suppressing, reducing, or managing 

invasive species populations, preventing spread of invasive species from areas where

they are present, and taking steps such as restoration of native species and habitats 

to reduce the effects of invasive species and to prevent further invasions. (c) “Eco-

system” means the complex of a community of organisms and its environment. (d) 

“Federal agency” means an executive department or agency, but does not include 

independent establishments as defined by 5 u.s.c. § 104. (e) “Introduction” means 

the intentional or unintentional escape, release, dissemination, or placement of a 

species into an ecosystem as a result of human activity. (f) “Invasive species” means

an alien species whose introduction does or is likely to cause economic or environ-

mental harm or harm to human health. (g) “Native species” means, with respect 

to a particular ecosystem, a species that, other than as a result of an introduction, 

historically occurred or currently occurs in that ecosystem. (h) “Species” means a 

group of organisms all of which have a high degree of physical and genetic similar-

ity, generally interbreed only among themselves, and show persistent differences 

from members of allied groups of organisms. (i) “Stakeholders” means, but is not 

limited to, State, tribal, and local government agencies, academic institutions,

the scientific community, nongovernmental entities including environmental,

agricultural, and conservation organizations, trade groups, commercial interests, 

and private landowners. (j) “United States” means the 50 States, the District of

Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and all possessions, territories, and the territorial 

sea of the United States. 

Sec. 2. Federal Agency Duties. (a) Each Federal agency whose actions may affect 

the status of invasive species shall, to the extent practicable and permitted by

law, (1) identify such actions; (2) subject to the availability of appropriations, and 

within Administration budgetary limits, use relevant programs and authorities

to: (i) prevent the introduction of invasive species; (ii) detect and respond rapidly 

to and control populations of such species in a cost-effective and environmentally 

sound manner; (iii) monitor invasive species populations accurately and reliably; (iv)

provide for restoration of native species and habitat conditions in ecosystems that 

32 
have been invaded; (v) conduct research on invasive species and develop technologies

to prevent introduction and provide for environmentally sound control of invasive 

species; and (vi) promote public education on invasive species and the means to

address them; and (3) 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. (b) Federal agencies shall pursue the duties set forth 

in this section in consultation with the Invasive Species Council, consistent with 

the Invasive Species Management Plan and in cooperation with stakeholders, as 

appropriate, and, as approved by the Department of State, when Federal agencies 

are working with international organizations and foreign nations. 

Sec. 3. Invasive Species Council. (a) An Invasive Species Council (Council) is hereby

established whose members shall include the Secretary of State, the Secretary of 

the Treasury, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary

of Agriculture, the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of Transportation, and 

the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. The Council shall

be Co-Chaired by the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Agriculture, and 

the Secretary of Commerce. The Council may invite additional Federal agency

representatives to be members, including representatives from subcabinet bureaus 

or offices with significant responsibilities concerning invasive species, and may

prescribe special procedures for their participation. The Secretary of the Interior 

shall, with concurrence of the Co-Chairs, appoint an Executive Director of the

Council and shall provide the staff and administrative support for the Council.

(b) The Secretary of the Interior shall establish an advisory committee under the 

Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 u.s.c. § App., to provide information and

advice for consideration by the Council, and shall, after consultation with other

members of the Council, appoint members of the advisory committee representing

stakeholders. Among other things, the advisory committee shall recommend plans

and actions at local, tribal, State, regional, and ecosystem-based levels to achieve 

the goals and objectives of the Management Plan in section 5 of this order. The

advisory committee shall act in cooperation with stakeholders and existing orga-

nizations addressing invasive species. The Department of the Interior shall provide

the administrative and financial support for the advisory committee. 

Sec. 4. Duties of the Invasive Species Council. The Invasive Species Council shall

provide national leadership regarding invasive species, and shall: (a) oversee the

implementation of this order and see that the Federal agency activities concerning 

invasive species are coordinated, complementary, cost-efficient, and effective, relying

to the extent feasible and appropriate on existing organizations addressing invasive

species, such as the 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; (b) encourage planning and action at 

local, tribal, State, regional, and ecosystem-based levels to achieve the goals and 

objectives of the Management Plan in section 5 of this order, in cooperation with 

stakeholders and existing organizations addressing invasive species; (c) develop

recommendations for international cooperation in addressing invasive species; (d) 

33 
develop, in consultation with the Council on Environmental Quality, guidance to 

Federal agencies pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act on prevention

and control of invasive species, including the procurement, use, and maintenance 

of native species as they affect invasive species; (e) facilitate development of a

coordinated network among Federal agencies to document, evaluate, and monitor 

impacts from invasive species on the economy, the environment, and human health;

(f) facilitate establishment of a coordinated, up-to-date information-sharing system

that utilizes, to the greatest extent practicable, the Internet; this system shall facili-

tate access to and exchange of information concerning invasive species, including, 

but not limited to, information on distribution and abundance of invasive species; 

life histories of such species and invasive characteristics; economic, environmental,

and human health impacts; management techniques, and laws and programs for 

management, research, and public education; and (g) prepare and issue a national 

Invasive Species Management Plan as set forth in section 5 of this order. 

Sec. 5. Invasive Species Management Plan. (a) Within 18 months after issuance

of this order, the Council shall prepare and issue the first edition of a National

Invasive Species Management Plan (Management Plan), which shall detail and

recommend performance-oriented goals and objectives and specific measures of

success for Federal agency efforts concerning invasive species. The Management 

Plan shall recommend specific objectives and measures for carrying out each of the

Federal agency duties established in section 2(a) of this order and shall set forth

steps to be taken by the Council to carry out the duties assigned to it under section

4 of this order. The Management Plan shall be developed through a public process 

and in consultation with Federal agencies and stakeholders. (b) The first edition of 

the Management Plan shall include a review of existing and prospective approaches

and authorities for preventing the introduction and spread of invasive species,

including those for identifying pathways by which invasive species are introduced 

and for minimizing the risk of introductions via those pathways, and shall identify

research needs and recommend measures to minimize the risk that introductions 

will occur. Such recommended measures shall provide for a science-based process 

to evaluate risks associated with introduction and spread of invasive species and a 

coordinated and systematic risk-based process to identify, monitor, and interdict 

pathways that may be involved in the introduction of invasive species. If recom-

mended measures are not authorized by current law, the Council shall develop

and recommend to the President through its Co-Chairs legislative proposals for 

necessary changes in authority. (c) The Council shall update the Management Plan

biennially and shall concurrently evaluate and report on success in achieving the 

goals and objectives set forth in the Management Plan. The Management Plan

shall identify the personnel, other resources, and additional levels of coordination 

needed to achieve the Management Plan’s identified goals and objectives, and the 

Council shall provide each edition of the Management Plan and each report on it 

to the Office of Management and Budget. Within 18 months after measures have 

been recommended by the Council in any edition of the Management Plan, each 

Federal agency whose action is required to implement such measures shall either 

take the action recommended or shall provide the Council with an explanation

of why the action is not feasible. The Council shall assess the effectiveness of this 

order no less than once each 5 years after the order is issued and shall report to

the Office of Management and Budget on whether the order should be revised. 

34 
Sec. 6. Judicial Review and Administration. (a) This order is intended only to

improve the internal management of the executive branch and is not intended to 

create any right, benefit, or trust responsibility, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or equity by a party against the United States, its agencies, its officers, 

or any other person. (b) Executive Order 11987 of May 24, 1977, is hereby revoked. 

(c) The requirements of this order do not affect the obligations of Federal agencies 

under 16 u.s.c. § 4713 with respect to ballast water programs. (d) The requirements

of section 2(a)(3) of this order shall not apply to any action of the Department of 

State or Department of Defense if the Secretary of State or the Secretary of Defense finds that exemption from such requirements is necessary for foreign policy 

or national security reasons. 

35 
Common mullein 

Verbascum thapsus 

annex iii 

NISC Members 

the honorable tom j. vilsack

Secretary of Agriculture
 

the honorable penny pritzker

Secretary of Commerce
 

the honorable sally jewell

Secretary of the Interior
 

the honorable ash carter
 

Secretary of Defense
 

the honorable sylvia m. burwell

Secretary of Health and Human Services
 

the honorable john f. kerry

Secretary of State
 

the honorable anthony foxx

Secretary of Transportation
 

the honorable jacob j. lew

Secretary of the Treasury
 

the honorable jeh johnson

Secretary of Homeland Security
 

the honorable gina mccarthy

Administrator of the u.s. Environmental Protection Agency
 

the honorable michael froman
 

US Trade Representative
 

the honorable charles f. bolden, jr.

Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
 

the honorable gayle e. smith

Administrator of the u.s. Agency for International Development
 

27 june 2016 

36 
Rock dove 

Columba livia 
annex iii 

NISC Principals 

robert bonnie 

Undersecretary for Natural Resources and Environment

Department of Agriculture 

michael weiss 

Senior Policy Advisor

Department of Commerce 

kristen sarri 

Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy, Management and Budget

Department of the Interior 

maureen sullivan 

Deputy Assistant Secretary

Department of Defense 

thomas novotny

Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health (Science and Medicine)

Department of Health and Human Services 

anne hall 

Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary

Bureau of Oceans, Environmental and Scientific Affairs

Department of State 

Cycad scale

Aulacaspis yasumatsui 

38 
carlos monje, jr.

Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy

Department of Transportation 

vacant 

Department of the Treasury 

brodi kotila 

Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy

Department of Homeland Security 

stan meiburg

Acting Deputy Administrator

u.s. Environmental Protection Agency 

sharon bomer lauritsen 

Assistant u.s. Trade Representative for Agriculture Affairs and Commodity Policy

Office of the u.s. Trade Representative 

geoffrey yoder

Acting Associate Administrator, Science Mission Directorate

National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

charles north 

Senior Deputy Assistant Administrator

u.s. Agency for International Development 

27 June 2016 

39
 
annex iv 

Acronyms 

anstf Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force 

ceq Council for Environmental Quality 

doi Department of the Interior 

edrr Early Detection and Rapid Response 

epa Environmental Protection Agency 

eu European Union 

faca Federal Advisory Committee Act 

gao Government Accountability Office 

hhs Health and Human Services 

isac Invasive Species Advisory Committee 

nasa National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

nepa National Environmental Policy Act 

nisc National Invasive Species Council 

omb Office of Management and Budget 

ttp Transpacific Trade Partnership 

ttip Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership 

u.s. United States of America 

usaid u.s. Agency for International Development 

ustr u.s. Trade Representative 

Asian snakehead 

Channa argus 
 

annex v 

Glossary of Terms 

Alien species with respect to a particular ecosystem, any species, including its

seeds, eggs, spores, or other biological material capable of propagating that species,

that is not native to that ecosystem (synonymous with non-native species). 

Biological Invasion the process by which non-native species breach biogeographical

barriers and extend their range. 

Control as appropriate, eradicating, suppressing, reducing, or managing invasive 

species populations, preventing the spread of invasive species from areas where they

are present, and taking steps such as restoration of native species and habitats to 

reduce the effects of invasive species and to prevent further invasions. 

Early Detection a process of surveying for, reporting, and verifying the presence 

of a non-native species before the founding population becomes established or

spreads so widely that eradication is no longer feasible. 

Ecosystem the complex of a community of organisms and its environment. 

Federal agency an executive department or agency, but does not include independent establishments as defined by 5 u.s.c. § 104. 

Horizon scanning the systematic examination of future potential threats and opportunities that can contribute to the prioritization of invasive species of concern 

and the means to address their introduction and spread. 

Introduction the intentional or unintentional escape, release, dissemination, or

placement of a species into an ecosystem as a result of human activity. 

Invasive species an alien species whose introduction does or is likely to cause

economic or environmental harm or harm to human health (synonymous with

invasive alien species). 

National Invasive Species Council (nisc or Council) the thirteen Secretaries and 

Administrators who have agreed to work together in accordance with e.o. 13112. 

National Invasive Species Council (nisc) member Departments/Agencies the 

thirteen Federal Departments and Agencies associated with the Secretaries and

Administrators who have agreed to work together in accordance with e.o. 13112. 

National Invasive Species Council (nisc) Principals senior Federal officials assuming NISC duties on behalf of members of the Council. 

National Invasive Species Council (nisc) Secretariat the team of Federal employees whose sole function is to support and guide the work of the Council. 

41 
 

Native species with respect to a particular ecosystem, a species that, other than as a

result of an introduction, historically occurred or currently occurs in that ecosystem. 

Non-native species see Alien species. 

Pathway the means by which invasive species are moved, intentionally or unintentionally, into new areas. 

Rapid Response a process that is employed to eradicate the founding population 

of a non-native species from a specific location. 

Risk Analysis the set of tools or processes incorporating risk assessment, risk

management, and risk communication, which are used to evaluate the potential risks

associated with a species or pathway, possible mitigation measures to address that 

risk, and the information to be shared with decision-makers and other stakeholders. 

Species a group of organisms all of which have a high degree of physical and

genetic similarity, generally interbreed only among themselves, and show persistent

differences from members of allied groups of organisms. 

Stakeholders includes, but is not limited to, state, tribal, and local government

agencies, academic institutions, the scientific community, nongovernmental entities including environmental, agricultural, and conservation organizations, trade 

groups, commercial interests, and private landowners. 

United States the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and all

possessions, territories, and the territorial sea of the United States. 

European starling 42 Sturnus vulgaris 
National Invasive Species Council (nisc) Secretariat

u.s. Department of the Interior

Office of the Secretary

1849 C Street nw 

Washington, dc 20540 

Email: invasive_species@ios.doi.gov

Website: www.doi.gov/invasivespecies 

nisc
 

national invasive species council

secretariat