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Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act to be a good model 

 for interagency cooperation on a broad scale? 



Dr. Davison. We have had some discussions. I probably ought to 

 let them speak for themselves, but I don't think it is the only 

 model. I do think we are all learning valuable lessons about how 

 we might extend such a program. Currently, the task force serves 

 to coordinate actions by agencies, but the actions are actually taken 

 and funded through individual agencies. Certainly, one option that 

 I know the task force has considered is whether the actions 

 couldn't be taken more by a group of agencies and funded that way, 

 but I will let them speak for themselves. 



Senator Akaka. I ask the other Federal witnesses to consider the 

 Non-Indigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act as a 

 good model for interagency cooperation on a broad scale. Do other 

 witnesses have any comments to make on that? I know some of you 

 have mentioned your support for the Act and are using it now. 



Ms. Kimball. Mr. Chairman, we would strongly support using 

 the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force as a model. We think it 

 enhances cooperation and provides for more effective use of the 

 public money. 



Senator Akaka. Mr. Lee? 



Mr. Lee. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. May I defer to my colleague, 

 Mr. Wallace, who serves on that committee, with a response? 



Senator Akaka. Mr. Wallace? 



Mr. Wallace. Mr. Chairman, I would agree with the comments 

 by Mr. Davison and Ms. Kimball that it is a good model. I would 

 also agree with Senator Glenn's assessment that we are off to a 

 fairly positive start in the coordination of Federal activities in 

 these areas. 



Senator Akaka. Thsink you for your statement. 



Mr. McCleese? 



Mr. McCleese. The Forest Service hasn't had a great deal of in- 

 volvement yet, but anything we can do to increase Federal coordi- 

 nation, we are in favor of that. 



Senator Akaka. Mr. Davison, how is the Fish and Wildlife Serv- 

 ice engaged in preventing the interstate spread of harmful non- 

 indigenous species? 



Dr. Davison. It is primarily again through the Lacey Act, subject 

 to the limitations that we have already discussed. 



Senator Akaka. Are steps underway to ensure a more consistent 

 policy on harmful non-indigenous species within the agencies, bu- 

 reaus and services of the Department? 



Dr. Davison. Yes, they are. Certainly one thing that has had 

 that effect has been the 1990 Non-Indigenous Act. Another has 

 been the 1992 law, but there is also an effort within the Depart- 

 ment generally for more consistent management, more emphasis on 

 native species management. So I think that effort is well under- 

 way. 



Senator Akaka. Ms. Kimball, at Friday's hearing reference was 

 made to a recent discovery of zebra mussels in the ballast of a mer- 

 chant ship docked in San Francisco. Fortunately, all the mussels 

 were dead. What prevention strategies are now in place to avert 

 the introduction of zebra mussels into the interconnected water 

 systems of the West? 





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