### October 22, 2012

The Honorable Tom Vilsack Secretary, U.S. Department of Agriculture

The Honorable Steven Chu Secretary, U.S. Department of Energy

The Honorable Leon Panetta Secretary, U.S. Department of Defense The Honorable Lisa Jackson Administrator , U.S. Environ mental Protection Agency The Honorable Ray LaHood Secretary, U.S. Department of Transportation

Dear Secretary Vilsack, Secretary Chu, Secretary Panetta, Administrator Jackson, and Secretary LaHood,

As scientists in the fields of ecology, wildlife bio logy, forestry, and natural resources, we are writing to bring your attention to the importance of working proactively to prevent potential ecological and economic damages associated with the potential spread of invasive bioenergy feedstocks

. While we appr eciate the steps that federal agencies have made to identify and promote renewable energy sources and to invest in second and third generation sources of bioenergy, we strongly encourage you to consider the invasive potential of all novel feedstock species , cultivars, and hybrids before providing incentiv es leading to their cultivation

.

S tudies have shown that some of the plants considered most promising in terms of bioenergy capacity may actually be highly invasive and potentially harmful to native speci es and ecosystems. 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 

### In fact, many of the characteristics that make a plant appealing as an ideal source of biomass such as ease of establishment, rapid growth, resistance to pests and diseases, and low input requirements, are the same characteristics that make a plant more likely to become invasive. 5 , 6 

### According to the non

- federal members of Invasive Species Advisory Committee that provide independent advice to the National Invasive Species Council, “Absent strategic mitigation efforts, there is subst antial risk that some biofuels crops will escape cultivation and cause socio

- economic and/or ecological harm.” 7 

### Many of today’s most problematic invasive plants

– from kudzu to purple loosestrife

– were intentionally imported and released into the environm ent for horticultural, agricultural, conservation, and forestry purposes. These i nvasive species already cost billions of dollars a year in the United States 8 

### and are one of the primary threats to North America’s native species and ecosystems. It is impera tive that we learn from our past mistakes by preventing intentional introduction of energy crops that may create the next invasive species catastrophe

– particularly when introductions are funded by taxpayer dollars

. Under Executive Order 13112, a federal agenc y can 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

dete rmined 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.”

To ensure ongoing comp liance with the Executive Order and to prevent unintended consequences from the promotion of non

- native and modified plants, algae, and microorganisms , we therefore request that federal agencies clearly assess the invasion risk of bi oenergy feedstocks (including hybrids, varieties , genetically modified organisms, and cultivars) before these feedstocks can be eligible for federal incentiv e s leading to their cultivation (through mandates, purchases, research grants, loans, and other mea ns). Those species that may become invasive in the United States should be ineligible for incentive s, unless the risk is low and, at a minimum, prudent measures are available and mandated to reduce the invasion risk and potential for harm

. Tools for assess ing the invasiveness of plant species and cultivars are widely available, including USDA APHIS’s newly revamped weed risk assessment

. 9 

### The National Invasive Species Council is best suited to coordinate this assessment process.

A thoughtful, consistent , p roactive approach to sustainable bioenergy production that avoids potentially invasive feedstocks , while encouraging the development and implementation of new energy crops to meet U.S. renewable energy goals , would demonstrate wise stewardship of federal f unds and serve to benefit the agencies in the long run. By assessing and reducing risks up front, we can minimize the potential for bioenergy crops that are promoted with taxpayer dollars to become invasive and cause har m to natural ecosystems. It is much cheaper and easier to take the steps to prevent an invasive escape than it is to deal with it after it has occurred.

Signed,

Richard N. Mack , Ph.D. Washington State University Pullman, WA

Dale Gawlik , Ph.D., Wildlife Sciences President, FL Chapter of the Wildlife Society Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton, FL Joseph M. DiTomaso , Ph.D. University of California Davis, CA Bruce R obertson , Ph.D. Bard College Annandale

- on

- Hudson, NY

James Miller , Ph.D. Professor Emeritus Mississippi State University Starkville, MS

Scott L. Collins , Ph.D. President, Ecological Society of America Washington, DCS. Raghu , Ph.D.

Stuttgart, AR Lee Van Wychen , P h.D. Weed Science Society of America Alexandria, VA

Dean Urban , Ph.D. Duke University Durham, NC

Adam M. Lambert , Ph.D. Santa Barbara, CA

Elizabeth L. Middleton , Ph.D. Missouri Department of Conservation Clinton, MO Kenneth Langeland , Ph.D. Professo r, University of Florida IFAS, Agronomy Department and Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants Gainesville, FL Catherine A. McGlynn , Ph.D. Northeast Illinois Invasive Plant Partnership Chicago, IL

Donald C. Jackson , Ph.D., Fisheries Mississippi State University Mississippi State, MS Douglas B. Inkley , Ph.D. National Wildlife Federation Reston, VA

Doria R Gordon , Ph.D. The Nature Conservancy Gainesville, FL Emma Hampton , Ph.D., Zoology University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX Rakesh S. Chandran , Ph.D. Extension Weed Specialist & Professor West Virgi nia University Morgantown, WV Joseph Sirotnak , Ph.D., Ecology Big Bend National Park Big Bend, Texas Loretta Battaglia , Ph.D., Ecology Southern Illinois University Carbondale, IL

Dawn Lawson , Ph.D., Ecology San Diego, California

Matthew Olson , Ph.D., Forest Resources West Plains, MO F. Bryan Pickett , Ph.D., Genetics Chicago, IL

Lizbeth Seebacher , Ph.D., Invasive Species Biology Washington State Department of Ecology Lacey, WA

Lowell Pritchard Jr. , Ph.D., Natural Resou rce Economics Creation Care Inc. Decatur, GA Jo Anna Hebberger , Ph.D., Plant Ecology Des Moines, IA

Alton Kinlaw , Ph.D., R.Ph. Indiana University Health Indianapolis, IN

Th omas Eubank , Ph.D., Weed Science Mississippi State University Stoneville, MSWilliam Faber , Ph.D., Wildlife Ecolo gy

Central Lakes College Brainerd, MN

Daniel C. Abel , Ph.D. Coastal Carolina University Conway, SC

Sarah Ward , Ph.D. Colorado State University Fort Collins, CO

Leonard Bul l , Ph.D. Cornell University New Haven, VT

Antonio DiTommaso , Ph.D. Cornell Un iversity Ithaca, NY

John J. Jachetta , Ph.D. Dow AgroSciences LLC Indianapolis, IN

Sam Pearsall , Ph.D. Environmental Defense Fund Raleigh, NC Margaret K. Thayer , Ph.D. Field Museum of Natural History Chicago, IL

Frank Powell , Ph.D. Furman University Seneca, SC Daniel R. Ludwig , Ph.D. Illinois Department of Natural Resources Bartlett, IL Heather L Reynolds , Ph.D. Indiana University Bloomington, IN Vicky Meretsky , Ph.D. Indiana Univ ersity Bloomington, IN Angie Shelton , Ph.D. Indiana University Bloomington, IN

Chris Habeck , Ph.D. Kutztown University Kutztown, PA

Reuben Keller , Ph.D. Loyola University, Chicago Chicago, IL

Victor Maddox , Ph.D. Mississippi Cooperative Weed Management Area Mississippi State, MS

David R. Shaw , Ph.D. Mississippi State University Miss. State, MS John D. By rd, Jr. , Ph.D. Mississippi State University Mississippi State, MS

Bruce A. Stein , Ph.D. National Wildlife Federation Washington, DC

James T. Green, Jr. , Ph.D. North Carolina State University Raleigh, NC

Kirk Howatt , Ph.D. North Dakota State University Fargo, ND

Daniel A. Ball , Ph.D. Oregon State University Pendleton, ORCarol Mallory

- Smith , Ph.D.

Oregon State University Corvallis, OR

Thomas Wassmer , Ph.D. Siena Heights University Adrian, MI

William R. Eddleman , Ph.D. Southeast Missouri State University Cape Girardeau, MO Christopher E. Comer , Ph.D. Stephen F. Austin State University Nacogdoches, TX

Li Kui , Ph.D. SUNY

- ESF Syracuse, NY

Brian D. Carver , Ph.D. Tennessee Technological University Cookeville, TN

Ja mes R. Manhart , Ph.D. Texas A&M University College Station, TX

Scott Senseman , Ph.D. Texas A&M University College Station, TX

Peter Kareiva , Ph.D. The Nature Conservancy Seattle , WA Kelly Lyons , Ph.D. Trinity University San Antonio, TX

Jodie S Holt , Ph.D. University of California Riverside, CA Betsy Von Holle , Ph.D. University of Central Florida Orlando, FL

Vicki Jackson , Ph.D. University of Central Missouri Warrensburg, MO

Sarah Bois , Ph.D. University of Connecticut Storrs, CT

Mark VanGessel , Ph.D. Unive rsity of Delaware Georgetown, DE

William A Overholt , Ph.D. University of Florida Fort Pierce, FL Lyn Gettys , Ph.D. University of Florida Davie, FL

Jason Evans , Ph.D. University of Georgia Athens, GA Donn Shilling , Ph.D. University of Georgia Athens, GA Lauren Quinn , Ph.D. University of Illinois Urbana, IL Peter Alpert , Ph.D. University of Massachusetts, Amherst Amherst, MA Catherine Badgley , Ph.D. University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MIL. Jack Lyon , Ph.D.

University of Michigan Missoula, MT Larry G. Vi sser , Ph.D. University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI Johannes Foufopoulos , Ph.D. University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI

Michael R. Moore , Ph.D. University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI

Ivette Perfecto , Ph.D. University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI

William S. Currie , Ph.D. University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI

Daniel Tufford , Ph.D. University of South Carolina Columbia, SC

Norma Fowler , Ph.D. University of Texas Austin, TX

Sarah Reichard , Ph.D. University of Washington Botanic Gardens Seattle, WA Joy B. Zedler , Ph.D. Un iversity of Wisconsin Madison, WI Philip A. Fay , Ph.D. USDA

- ARS Temple, TX John Fike , Ph.D. Virginia Tech Blacksburg, VA

Paul E. Bartelt , Ph.D. Waldo rf College Forest City, IA M. Jahi Chappell , Ph.D. Washington State University, Vancouver Vancouver, WA

Kashka Kubzdela , Ph.D. Oakton, VA

Charles P. Nicholson , Ph.D. Norris, TN Jeff Levengood , Ph.D. Champaign, IL

Jean O'Neil , Ph.D. W. Hatfield, MA

Ron Carroll , Ph.D. A thens, GA Ruth Douglas , Ph.D. Charlottesville, VA

Matt Bahm , Ph.D. Spokane, WA Lesli Hoey , Ph.D. Ann Arbor, MI

Robin Goodloe , Ph.D. Athens, GA

David L. Davidson , Ph.D. San Antonio, TX

Paul H. Meredith , Ph.D. Victoria, TXMary R. Meredith , Ph.D.

Victoria, TX John Tirpak , Ph.D. Lafayette, LA

K athryn Kavanagh , Ph.D. Austin, TX Robert Kamper , Ph.D. Round Rock, TX

Rachel Schultz , Ph.D. Plattsburgh, NY

Jeanne Jones , Ph.D. Louisville, MS Susan P. Rupp , Ph.D. Brookings, SD Georgianne Moore , Ph.D. College Station, TX

Jill Schroeder , Ph.D. Las Cruces, NM Iñigo Granzow

- de la Cerda , Ph.D. Ann Arbor, MI

Jonathan Ambro se , Ph.D. Watkinsville, GA

Judith Breland , Ph.D. Wiggins, MS Rodney Lym , Ph.D. Fargo, ND Barry J. Brecke , Ph.D. Milton, FL Roger E. Gast , Ph.D. Zionsville, IN Jessica H ite , Ph.D. Candidate Indiana University Bloomington, IN Bryan Tarbox , Ph.D. Candidate Gainesville, FL

Sarah Fritts , Ph.D. Candidate North Carolina State University Raleigh, NC Heidi L Springborn Natural Resources Technican Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Green Bay, WI

Jenn T ruong , MNR Fairfax, VA

Tamara Johnson , MNR G A

Susan Kenzle , MLA American Society of Landscape Architects Austin, TX Roy B. Mann , MLA Harvard Graduate School of Design Cambridge, MA Jason Hodges , MLA Texas Tech University Lubbock, TX Sam Rogers , MLA University of Tennessee Knoxville, TN Darcy Nuffer , MLA University of Texas Austin, TX

Ariel Shaw , MLA San Francisco, CADoug Johnson , M.S., M.A.

California Invasive Plant Council Berkeley, CA Kathy Sc hwager , M.S., Ecology Certified Ecologist Patchogue, NY

Eamonn Leonard , M.S., Plant Ecology Georgia Department of Natural Resources Brunswick, GA

Frank Hassler , M.S., Forestry Good Oak Ecological Services Madison, WI

Steven C. Garske , M.S., Plant Ecology Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission Odanah, WI

Patricia Clifford , M.S., Natural Resource Planning Hawaii

- Pacific Weed Risk Assessment Honolulu, HI

Aaron Y etter , M.S., Zoology Illinois Natural History Survey Havana, IL

Shawna L. Bautista , M.S., Zoology & Physiology Invasive Plant Program Manager USDA Forest Service Portland, OR

Donna Beliech , M.S., Horticulture President of the MS Assn. of Co. Ag. A gents (MACAA) Mississippi State University Brandon, MS Susan Farrington , M.S., Forest Ecology Misso uri Department of Conservation West Plains, MO

Aaron Stevenson , M.S., Forest Ecology Missouri Department of Conservation West Plains, MO Timothy Banek , M.S., Biology Missouri Department of Conservation Jefferson City, MO Terry L. Goldsby , M.S., Botany Northwestern State University of Louisiana Guntersville, AL Lindsey Wise , M.S., Ecology Portland State University Portland, OR

Carole Gernes , M.S., Biology Ramsey Coun ty Cooperative Weed Management Area Little Canada, MN

Pete Jackson , M.S., Biology U.S. EPA Chicago, IL

Jill Hardiman , M.S., Fish and Wildlife Biology United States Geological Survey Cook, WA

Jennifer J Buck , M.S., Plant Science University of California, Davis Nevada City, CA Kandarpa Cousineau , M.S., Inorganic Chemistr y University of Michigan Los Angeles, CATed Seiler , M.S., Wildlife Biology

University of Missouri Macon, MO

Leslie Harman , M.S., Geology University of Missouri Columbia, MO

Pat Parr , M.S., Ecology University of Tennessee Oak Ridge, TN

Glen Buckner , M.S., Ecology and Environmental Sc ience Will County Forest Preserve Joliet, IL Timothy Burr , M.S., Zoology Poway, CA

Karen Viste

- Sparkman , M.S., Wildlife Science Des Moines, IA Sylvia Copeland , M.S., Wildlife Science Nampa, ID

Kristen Aaltonen , M.S., Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Austin, TX Lowell H. Suring , M.S., Wildlife Ecology Suring, WI

Chris Newbo ld , M.S., Wildlife Biology Columbia, MO Mary Ellen Kustin , M.S., Sustainable Development and Conservation Biology Riverdale, MD

Reed Sanderson , M.S., Range Management Green Valley, AZ Elizabeth Colket , M.S., Range Ecology and Management Boise, Idaho

Sandra Birnbaum , M.S., Population & Conservation Biology Austin, TX

Alison Robbins , M.S., D.V.M. Boston, MA A. Strong , M.S., Botany Austin, TX

Leon Bates , M.S., Botany Benton, TN Darby Niswonger , M.S., Biology Chillicothe, MO

Bill McGuire , M.S., Biology Jefferson City, MO

Charles Kowaleski , M.S., Biology Salado, Texas

Karen Kreil , M.S., Biology Bismarck, ND

Alexandra Wrobel , M.S., Applied Ecology Ashland, WI

Rebecca Swadek , M.S. Carrollton, TX

Michael Daab , M.S. Champaign County Forest Preserve Champaign, IL

Vanelle Peterson , M.S. Dow AgroSciences LLC Mulino, ORLindsay D. Leverett , M.S.

Duke University Durham, NC David Kyler , M.S. Executive Director, Center for a Sustainable Coast Saint Simons Island, GA Chris Buddenhagen , M.S. Florida State University Tallahassee, FL

Chris Lockhar t , M.S. Habitat Specialists, Inc. Boynton Beach, FL

Charles Chimera , M.S. Haw aii

- Pacific Weed Risk Assessment Makawao, HI

Ward Bloodworth , M.S. Mississippi Ag Industry Council M adison, MS

Amanda Walker , M.S. Mississippi State University Monticello, MS

Michael Cove , M.S. North Carolina State University Raleigh, NC

David Watts , M.S. Texas A&M University State College, PA

Jack LeClair , M.S. Texas A&M University

- Kingsville Kingsville, TX

Jessica Strickland , M.S. Texas State University San Marcos, TX Michael Lusk , M.S. The Wildlife Society Crystal River, FL

Kai Umeda , M.S. University of Arizona Phoenix, AZ

Rob Proulx , M.S. University of Minnesota Crookston, MN Jim Eckberg , M.S. University of Minnesota Saint Paul, MN

Merel R. Black , M.S. University of Wisconsin

- Stevens Point Stevens Point, WI Kevin Hurley , M.S. University of Wyoming Laramie, WY Matthew Kaprot h , M.S. West Virginia University Burlington, VT

Vern Holm , M.S. Western Inva sives Network McMinnville, OR

Theodore Cochrane , M.S. Wisconsin State Herbarium Madison, WI Gerry Steinauer , M.S. Aurora, NE Carey Strobel , M.S. Austwell, TX Janene Lichtenberg , M.S. Polson, MTMike Livingston , M.S.

Prosser, WA

Martha Gruelle , M.S. Detroit, MI

Rebecca Schillo , M.S. Chicago, IL

Landon Vine , M.S. Denver, CO Bridget Collins , M.S. Washington, DC Kenny Ribbeck , M.S. Baton Rouge, LA

Fan Li , M.S. Houston, TX

Steve W inters , M.Ag. Mississippi State U niversity G renada, MS Monique De Vries , M.Ag. New Mexico State University San Antonio, TX Eric David Boyda Appalachian Ohio Weed Control Partnershi p Pedro, OH Aviva Glaser, M.S ., Conservation Biology Baltimore, MD Betty Mading Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Austin, TX Robert Clancy Michigan Department of Natural Resources Lansing, MI

Kenneth Calcote Mississippi Department of Agriculture & Commerce Mississippi State, MS

Dan Drees National Park Service Van Buren, MO Benjy Strope , NC Wildlife Resources Commission White Oak, NC Greg J. Wall , President, Mississippi Vegetation Management Association Helena Chemical Company Sturgis, MS



### CC: Heather Zichal, Deputy Assistant to the President for Energy and Clim ate Change Lori Williams, Executive Director of the National Invasive Species Council Jeffrey Zients, Acting Director of the Office of Management and Budget

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