# Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force

Strategic Plan (2002 – 2007)

February 2002



### Contents

ANS Task Force Mission and Purpose of Dr aft Plan ................... 1

Program Goals and Objectives Goal 1. Reduce the threat of harmful aquatic species being

introduced into U.S. waters .................................................. 2

Goal 2: Minimize the harmful effects of aquatic nuisance species already introduced into the waters of the U.S.

............................. ........... .................................................. 4

Goal 3: Cooperate in global efforts to reduce ANS harm ...... 6

Goal 4: Maximize organizational effectiveness of the ANS

Task Force . .......... ........... .......... ........... ...................... 6

Table 1. Linkages to Annual Agency Plans ................................. 9

End Notes ....... ........ ........... ........... .......... ...................... 11Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force Strategic Plan

Mission



### The Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990 (NANPCA, P.L.101- 636) established a Task Force to coordinate ac tivities among Federal agencies and between Federal agencies, regional, State, tribal and local organizations involved in carrying out the Act.

The mission of the Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) Task Force is to develop and implement a program for waters of the United States, to:

• Prevent introduction and dispersal of aquatic nuisance species;

• Monitor, control and study such species; and

• Educate and inform the general public and program stakeholders about the prevention and control of these species.

NANPCA, updated and reauthorized in the National Invasive Species Act of 1996 (NISA) 1



### , mandated Task Force membership to include representatives from six Federal Agencies and

four Ex Officio members. The Task Force Chairpersons, designated to be the Director of the

Fish and Wildlife Service and the Undersecreta ry of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, have broadened this membership to now include seven Federal agencies and 11 Ex Officio

members. 2 

### The Task Force operates under the guidelines of the Federal Advisory Committee Act to carry out its responsibilities and implement provisions of NANPCA.

The Task Force acts as a coordinating body that establishes program parameters, with programmatic actions carried out under the authorities of the Federal and state agencies and other authorized entities. NANPCA provided the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Coast Guard and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration with the legal authority to issue regulations necessary to implement the Federal ANS program. In addition, other Federal agencies on the Task Force use other legal authorities (such as the Lacey Act and the Plant Protection Act) to support program implementation. In the 1996 reauthorization, Congress authorized annual agency appropriations of over $30 million for ANS activities for the period 1997 - 2002. In fiscal year 2001, the Task Force agencies covered under this authorization spent about $15 million for ANS activities. In addition to the spending authorized under NANPCA, other Federal agencies in the Task Force spent over $20 million of Congressional appropriations to carry out programs indirectly related to ANS program activities.

The purpose of this strategic plan is to further understanding of what the ANS Task Force does and the direction it plans to take in coordinating Federal agency ANS activities. In the 12 years since Congress passed NANPCA, much has been achieved. The Task Force will use this strategic plan as a roadmap for accomplishing national ANS goals over the next five years including working with the National Invasive Species Council to implement the National Invasive Species Management Plan entitled “Meeting the Invasive Species Challenge”.

1Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force Strategic Plan

Task Force Goals and Objectiv es



### Since 1994, the ANS Task Force has used its ANS Program Document 3 

### to provide direction for ANS activities. The ANS Program focuses on three main goals – prevention, detection and monitoring, and control of ANS. To support these core program elements, the ANS Program specified three support goals – research, educatio n, and technical assistance. In its current strategic planning discussions, the Task Force reaffirmed the goals of the 1994 ANS Program and decided to continue using much of the information gathered previously to carry out the mandates in NANPCA/NISA, with the following two key changes of emphasis :

• The Task Force proposes a greater focus on prevention strategies, including more emphasis on global outreach. A major change in this plan is the recognition of the importance of addressing intentional introd uctions of nonindigenous aquatic species and the need to assess the risk of these species becoming nuisances in U.S. waters.

• The Task Force also proposes a number of changes in the way it organizes its work processes and coordinates the activities of the Federal agencies in the Task Force. The plan focuses on measuring the progress in achieving each of the strategic goals and objectives and working more closely with program stakeholders to find ways to better

achieve the Task Force mission.

Goal 1: Reduce the threat of harmful aquatic species being introduced into U.S.

waters.

Preventing introductions of potentially harmful species is the most efficient way to reduce the threat of harmful aquatic nuisance species. In the case of unintentional introductions, the Act clearly points out the importance of ballast water as a pathway, and much of the activity of the Task Force has focused on ballast water. Other pathways have not been systematically examined in terms of magnitude of risk or methods of interdicting the pathways.

While the Act does not give the Task Force any specific additional authorities relative to intentional introductions of potentially harmful sp ecies, it is clear that a comprehensive program needs to encompass both intentional and unintentional introductions. There are some tools

available to address intentional introductions on a piecemeal basis. This goal seeks to enhance Task Force activities, using existing authorities, to address intentional introductions with a more comprehensive approach.

Objective 1.1 Facilitate the development and use of science based risk assessments to

determine the level of risk associated with inte ntional introductions of potentially invasive aquatic species.

Risk assessments are useful in making scientifically sound decisions about the risks associated with introductions of nonindigenous spec ies. The Task Force developed a “Generic Nonindigenous Aquatic Organisms Risk Analysis Review Process” in 1996 to provide a standardized process for evaluating the risk of introducing nonindigenous organisms to a new environment. The Task Force members will use their expertise and coordination ability to assist an d facilitate the use of risk assessment tools by:

• Maintaining a database to track Federal agencies’ notifications that they are considering requests for introduction of new species. In its annual report, the Task Force will provide the following

information:

2Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force Strategic Plan

Task Force Goals and Objectiv es

Federal Agency Risk Assessments

undertaken (species) or under consideration by Agency Action Taken by Agency Completion Date

•

•

•

•

• Providing technical assistance on the meth odologies and processes proposed for risk

assessments. Establishing and maintaining a list of existing aq uatic risk assessments which meets one of the following: Used the ANSTF risk process; Has relevance because of the aquatic organism covered; and/or Has relevance because of the unique risk process or methodology used.

• Coordinating and reviewing input from Regional Panels concerning priority aquatic invasive species.



### Objective 1.2 Identify high risk pathways for the introduction of harmful aquatic species into U.S. waters and coordinate specific actions to reduce the likelihood of introduction of harmful nonindigenous aquatic species.

Determining in advance whether a nonindigenous aqua tic species will become a nuisance is difficult and often impossible. Most high-risk pathways are likely to be complex and involve many stakeholders. The Task Force will coordinate implementation of a pa thway evaluation process (as specified in the 1994 ANS Program, pages 16 – 17), that results in:

• An annually updated list of high risk pathwa ys, identified using established criteria.

• Identification of coordinated actions which must be taken to interdict high risk pathways.



### • Coordinated Federal Agencies’ international activit ies (attendance at scientific meetings, etc.) to most efficiently achieve this objective

.

These coordinating actions will be assessed and reported annually:

High Risk pathway and

interdiction recommendations Task Force coordination activity Agency actions/impact



### Objective 1.3 Increase public awareness about the importance of ANS introductions and actions that can be taken to reduce the possibilit y of ANS becoming established in U.S. waters.

Public awareness activities are necessary to ensure that people understand the problems and impacts

associated with ANS. It is also critical that th e Task Force provide information to help the public understand what they can do to help reduce the ANS threat. The Task Force will report annually on:

• How well the public understands the impacts of ANS and the need for action to control ANS species and their impacts.

• Workshops, pamphlets, and other activities and products for educating targeted audiences on specific actions they can take to reduce the threat of ANS introductions.

• Its inventory of public awareness products.

• Its use of the World Wide Web in accomplishing its mission.

3Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force Strategic Plan

Task Force Goals and Objectiv es



### Objective 1.4 Prioritize and promote research to reduce the threat of ANS introduction into

U.S. waters.

To help ensure that research addresses critical n eeds, the Task Force will coordinate nationwide with Federal, State, and Tribal Government officia ls, academia, and other affected entities to:

• Develop an annual list of aquatic inva sive species research priorities.

• Coordinate research activities and maintain a catalo g of these activities to ensure efficient use of

research resources.

• Maintain and disseminate a Research Protocol.



### Goal 2: Minimize the harmful effects of aquatic nuisance species already

introduced into the waters of the United States.

New nonindigenous aquatic species are certain to be introduced into U.S. waters, despite the best preventive efforts. Once a species has been introduced into U.S. waters and is established as causing or having the potential to cause ha rm, the Task Force seeks to minimize harm to public interest priorities by preventing and controlling further spread, using environmentally sound methods. Specific Task Force activities are outlined in the 1994 ANS Program Document (pages 18 –29). In addition to developing sp ecies-specific control plans, other important activities include the development of rapid respon se capabilities, survey and monitoring efforts, state management plans, and research and educ ation specifically related to monitoring and

control.

Objective 2.1 Develop capacity to respond rapidly to invasions.

The best way to eradicate or control a new invasion is to take action as soon as possible. The development of a rapid response planning process is an obvious first step. The Task Force will facilitate this planning process by:

• Identifying lessons learned from previous attempts to respond rapidly to new ANS invasions.

• Analyzing rapid response plans done for other events (oil spills, hurricanes, foreign animal diseases, etc.).

• Identifying what the Task Force can do to fac ilitate the development of contingency plans.

• Ensuring that key elements of regional contingenc y plans (infrastructure, resources, jurisdictional issues) are addressed.

• Setting up a rapid response monitoring system th at measures and reports on the area of U.S. waters covered by contingency plans.



### Objective 2.2 Facilitate survey and monitoring efforts to detect and control ANS

To effectively control invasions of ANS, it is necessa ry to conduct coordinated detection and monitoring efforts and ensure that data and information are readily available. The Task Force plans to continue its efforts as described in the 1994 ANS Program Do cument (pages 18 – 22), and to emphasize the following:

• Making the information system more accessible.

• Ensuring the coordination of monitoring and surv eys in aquatic systems including the targeting of high risk areas.

• Developing and ensuring the use of common pr otocols for surveys and database standards.

• Reporting annually on efforts of Federal agencies and other strategic partners on monitoring and

assessment:

4Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force Strategic Plan

Task Force Goals and Objectiv es

Fed agency/other Survey activities Monitoring activities Geographic area



### Objective 2.3 Facilitate development of State and Interstate management plans to limit spread of ANS.

The Task Force will continue to encourage States to develop state management plans for ANS. The Task Force provides guidance to States on how to prep are these management plans and offers technical and financial resources to complete the plans. The Task Force will measure its progress in achieving this ANS control objective by tracking and reporting on:

• The number of state management plans in place.

• The status of plans under development with in each Regional Panel’s jurisdiction:

Regional Panel State Plan Status State Agency

Contacted (Ag, EPA, DNR) Contact Date



### Objective 2.4 Coordinate development and implementation of ANS control plans.

In the 1994 ANS Program docum ent, the Task Force established an ANS control protocol (pages 22 – 29). For any proposed control action, the Task Force will coordinate discussions about criteria to trigger an action and will ensure that the criteria and processe s in the 1994 ANS Program are incorporated. The

Task Force will m onitor, evaluate, and report annually on the status of cooperative control plans and

program s:

Agency/Partner s Control Program/Species Proposed/Accepted Control Plan Developed Implementation action completed Implementation problems

encountered (evaluation)



### Objective 2.5 Encourage education and outreach activities concerning ANS.

Public awareness is necessary to ensure that pe ople understand and appreciate the problems and impacts associated with ANS. A robust public aw areness program will help the public understand what they can do to help monitor and control ANS in U. S. waters. The Task Force will report annually on:

• Workshops, pamphlets, and other activities and products for educating targeted audiences on specific actions to take to detect, monitor, and control ANS.

• Report on efforts to help the public underst and the impacts of ANS and the reasons for ANS regulations to be put into place.

• Its inventory of public awareness products.

• Its use of the World Wide Web in accomplishing its mission.



### Objective 2.6 Prioritize and promote research to evaluate the harmful effects of ANS.

5Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force Strategic Plan

Task Force Goals and Objectiv es

Although much research has been conducted for some invasive aquatic species, there are many species for which very little is known. Information, such as the biology of an ANS species and its interaction within its new ecosystem, is essentia l to effective control and management. To ensure that research addresses critical needs, the Task Force works with Federal, State, and Tribal Government officials, academia, and other affected entities to:

• Develop an annual list of aquatic inva sive species research priorities.

• Coordinate research activities and maintain a catalo g of these activities to ensure efficient use of

research resources.

• Maintain and disseminate a Research Protocol.



### Goal 3: Cooperate in global efforts to reduce ANS harm

Rapid increases in travel and trade have dramatically contributed to aquatic nuisance species invasions, both within the U.S. and around the world. The Task Force will broaden its involvement in international ANS activities and organizations, to gain a common understanding on invasion pathways and to anticipate new ANS problems. It will also pay attention to raising the level of understanding and expertise on aquatic nuisance species worldwide, by encouraging technical assistance to other countries, sponsorship of workshops, and the sharing

of scientific information.

Objective 3.1 Share information and expertise on ANS

Public education and outreach activities, both in the U.S. and abroad will be a very high priority. The Task Force will report annually on:

• Federal Agency participation in meetings/wor kshops (on risk assessment, for example).

• ANS Task Force website links to intern ational ANS activities and databases.

• How widely the AN S Program risk assessment process is distributed.



### Objective 3.2 Coordinate ANS Task Force agency international activities

It is im perative that U.S. Governm ent agencies coor dinate their international ANS activities, to have

sim ilar ANS policy, education, and outreach m e ss ages, and to conduct com patible ANS control and

m onitoring efforts. The Task Force will report annually on:

• International ANS priorities (inclu ding North America analysis).

• International ANS databases available for use in risk assessments, policy making, and developing import and export regulations.



### Goal 4 : Maximize organizational effectiveness of the ANS Task Force

No single entity has the human, technical and financial resources to fully address ANS problems. To be successful, cooperation and coordination are necessary at a variety of levels – among federal agencies; between federal agencies and state, tribal and local governments; and between public and non-public sectors. A primary purpose of the Task Force is to facilitate such cooperation and coordination. Effective Task Force processes and systems, and adequate staff

6Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force Strategic Plan

Task Force Goals and Objectiv es



### support are essential to fulfilling this purpose. Also, the Task Force should make an effort to address institutional barriers that discourage such activities.

Current Task Force coordination involves the following main processes:

• The Task Force meets formally in a public meeting three times a year to discuss ANS issues with program stakeholders. 4 

### At these meetings Task Force members share information, set priorities, and make decisions about what the Task Force and its individual agencies and organizations are doing to address the goals of the ANS Program.

• An Executive Secretary provides support for the Task Force and facilitates the implementation of Task Force decisions.

• Several Task Force committees are responsible for ongoing studies and for recommending actions on specific ANS processes and issues. 5



### • Regional panels coordinate area-wide ANS activities in four parts of the country – the Great Lakes, the Gulf of Mexico, Northeast and the Western states. 6



### • A State grants program supports implementation of activities by State Agencies that use Task Force-approved State and interstate ANS management plans. 7



### Although this framework has been effective, the Task Force recognizes that it must make substantial changes to the way it operates – to become more proactive and to maximize its effectiveness in the future. The Task Force will focus on four strategic objectives to achieve this goal.

Objective 4.1 . Strengthen the coordination capacity of the Task Force

The Task Force currently is one of several loose ly-connected governmental and non-governmental entities that have varying degrees of overlapping in fluence in preventing and controlling ANS. The Task Force formed relationships with these entities to a ssist with implementation of the 1994 ANS Program. While this arrangement enhanced a shared sense of ow nership of the ANS issue by all entities, it also added to the confusion about coordination processe s, Task Force accountability, and effectiveness in achieving the Task Force’s mission. To ensure th at all the AN S stakeholders address issues in a coordinated way, with minimal redundancy of activitie s and efficient use of resources, the Task Force will focus on several key coordination elements:

• Evaluation of the ANS Task Force committee stru cture to ensure consistency and efficiency in carrying out Task Force activities.

• Nation-wide coverage by Regional Panels and in creased communication between Regional Panels and the Task Force to address prioritization of issues and activities.

• Technical guidance and resource assistance to St ates through a coordinated effort by Regional Panels and the Task Force, to encourage deve lopment of State/Interstate ANS management plans.

• Adequate support by ANS Task Force agencies to ensure effective Task Force action on all aspects of this strategic plan.

The Task Force will also work closely with the National Invasive Species Council to facilitate implementation of ANS activities related to the National Management Plan.

7Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force Strategic Plan

Task Force Goals and Objectiv es



### Objective 4.2. Ensure that adequate legal authorities are in place to implement the ANS Program.

The Task Force identified several issues relative to legal authorities that must be addressed to properly implement the ANS Program:

• Emergency response actions.

• National Environmental Policy Act application to ANS concerns.

• Joint Project Authority to pool agency funds when necessary.

• Prevention activities such as screening specific pathways or species.

The Task Force is also exploring the following:

• Relationship of Federal and State legal authorities.

• “Education” activities vs. “Marketing and Promotion” activities.

• International legal authorities (U.S./Canada/Mexico).

• Control program actions (NANPCA authorizes a ve ry cumbersome process for initiating control programs).



### Objective 4.3 Coordinate Federal agency budgets to support Task Force priorities and establish a clear process that links local needs with the Federal budget process.

One Task Force meeting each year (late fall – winter) will be used to discuss priority needs presented by the Regional Panels and to develop focus areas for Federal Agency budget development and execution. The Task Force will develop a matrix of individua l Federal Agency ANS programs and budgets to communicate Agency activities and needs to the Office of Management and Budget. (A suggested format for this matrix is included on pages 9 – 10, “Linking Goals and Objectives to Annual Plans”.)



### Objective 4.4 Institute an organizational improvement process based on an annual evaluation of ANS Program progress.

The Task Force will produce an annual report that assesses progress in achieving ANS program goals and prioritizes future actions. The report will focus on annual priorities and goals decided at the budget prioritization meeting described in Objective 4.3. It is expected that much of the input for this report will originate from the Regional Panels. The Task Force’ s Executive Secretary will be responsible for ensuring completion of the report and follow-up actions recomme nded in the report. The first report is to be completed before the end of 2002.

8Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force Strategic PlanLinking Goals and Objectives to Annual PlansTable 1. Federal Agency annual goals, activities, and needsANS TF GoalsObjectivesANS TFFWSNOAAUSCGUS ArmyAPHISEPAStateDept.1.1 Facilitate the d e velop m ent

and us e o f s c i e nc e bas e d ri s k

assessm

ents to d e term ine the level of risk associated

with intentional introd

uctions of

p o tentially invasive aq uatic

sp

ecies.1.2Identifyhigh riskpathwaysfor the introduction of harmfulaquatic species into U.S. watersandcoordinate specific actionsto reduce the liklihoodofintroduction of harmfulnonindigenous aquatic species.1.3Increase public awarenessabout the importance of ANSintroductions andactions thatcan betaken to reduce thepossibilityofANS becomingestablishedin U.S. waters.Goal 1:Reduce thethreat ofharmfulaquatic speciesbeingintroduced intoU.S.waters.1.4 Prioritize and promoteresearch to reduce the threat ofANS introduction into U.S.waters.2.1Develop capacitytorespondrapidlytoinvasions.2.2Facilitate survey andmonitoringefforts to detect andcontrol ANS2.3Facilitate development ofstate management plans to limitspreadof ANS2.4 Coordinatedevelopmentand implementationofANScontrol plans.2.5 Encourage education andoutreach activities concerningANS.Goal 2.Minimize theharmful effectsof aquaticnuisancespecies alreadyintroduced intothe waters ofthe U.S.2.6 Prioritize and promoteresearch to evaluate theharmful effects of ANS9Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force Strategic PlanLinking Goals and Objectives to Annual PlansANS TF GoalsObjectivesANS TFFWSNOAAUSCGUS ArmyAPHISEPAStateDept.3.1 Share information andexpertise on ANSGoal 3.Cooperate inglobal effortsto reduce ANSharm3.2 CoordinateANS TaskForceagency international activities4.1Strengthen the coordinationcapacity of the Task Force4.2 Ensure thatadequatelegalauthorities are in place toimplement the ANS Program4.1Coordinate Federal agencybudgets to support Task Forcepriorities and establish a clearprocess that links local needswith the Federal budgetprocess.Goal 4.Maximizeorganizationaleffectiveness4.4 Institute an organizationalimprovementprocessbased onan annual evaluation of ANSprogram progress.10Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force 

## DRAFT Strategic Plan

Endnotes

1 National Invasive Species Act of 1996 (P.L. 104-332, 110 Stat. 4073, 10/26/96)

2 For a list of current Task Force members and other information about the group, visit http://ans tas k f orc e .gov /TF%20Definition.htm

3 To v i ew the ANS Program Document online, v i s i t h t t p : / / w w w

. a n s t a s k f o r c e

. g o v /ansprogrpttoc.htm

4 For more information about ANS Task Force meet i n g s

, v i s i t h t t p : / / a n s t a s k f o r c e

. g o v / m e e t i n g s

. h t m

5 For a detailed description of the Task Fo rce Committees and their activities, visit http://ans tas k f orc e .gov/c ommittees .htm

6 For links to the activities of the Regional P a n e l s

, v i s i t h t t p : / / a n s t a s k f o r c e

. g o v / r e g p a n e l s

. h t m

7 For information about State Management Plans

, v i s i t h t t p : / / a n s t a s k f o r c e

. g o v / m g t p l a n s

. h t m

11