91 



tion take action to prevent the release of invasive species which will impact not only 

 agriculture but biological diversity and natural areas as well 

 Specifically, we would like to recommend the following: 



\. Amend the Federal Noxious Weed Act to include the listing of weeds which 

 are deleterious to natural areas. 



«.'"!f V^^^ Conservancy supports current efforts to amend the Federal Noxious 

 VVeed Act. The draft amendment will expand the definition of noxious weeds to in- 

 clude invasive plants which affect natural areas, as well as plants which are foreign 

 in ongin and currently not present in the United States, but have the potential to 

 be invasive Expanding the list will help control the importation and interstate 

 movement of myasive species. The changes would establish a technical committee 

 which will assist the Secretary of Agriculture in developing the list of Federal nox- 

 ious weeds. In addition, it will provide the Secretary with emergency authority to 

 act quickly in response to the import or release of a potentially threatening non- 



2. Congress should encourage the adoption of a model State law which will 

 provide a framework for controlling non-indigenous species. 



States have almost complete control over the release of non-indigenous fish and 

 wildlite. In some cases. States have comprehensive laws which set-up a thorough re- 

 view process prior to release of a non-indigenous species. In other States, the review 

 process is weak. We propose that a comprehensive model law be developed for vol- 

 untary adoption by the States to provide a fi-amework for the proper review of non- 

 indigenous species pnor to approval for release. The model law should estabhsh cri- 

 teria for excluding already established but non-threatening non-indigenous species 

 criteria for a list of prohibited species and finally a fi-amework for reviewing species 

 before approval is given for release. The model should also provide a fi-amework for 

 the quick eradication of new releases that prove to be invasive. 



The Federal Government should provide economic incentives to the States to en- 

 courage adoption of the model law. For example. Federal ftinds should be available 

 to enable States to review existing laws and develop changes which will bring it into 

 conformity with the model law. Also, Federal dollars for fish and wildlife activities 

 should be contingent on the adoption of the model law. Finally, States which have 

 already established comprehensive State laws should be exempted from adopting 

 the model as a requirement to receive Federal funds. 



3. Implement Executive Order 119867— May 24. 1977— Pertaining to exotic or- 

 ganisms. 



President Carter Issued an Executive Order in 1977 which directs the Executive 

 Agencies to "restrict the introduction of exotic species into natural ecosystems on 

 lands and waters which they own, lease, or hold for purposes of administration. " 

 It encourages other levels of government and private individuals to do the same It 

 also directs the Executive Agencies to restrict the importation of exotic species. The 

 hixecutive Order was a good step towards establishing a national policy on non-in- 

 digenous invasive species. Unfortunately, the Executive Order has never been im- 

 plemented. We would like to see the current Administration reaffirm this Executive 

 Order and requu-e the Federal agencies to implement strategies to prevent the intro- 

 duction of harmful non-indigenous species. 



B. Encourage Inter-Agency Coordination and Cooperation at the State and Federal 

 Level 



4. Congress must direct Federal agencies to work cooperatively to develop a na- 

 tional strategy to control invasive species. 



In 1990, amendments to the Federal Noxious Weed Act included in the Farm Bill 

 directed the Federal land management agencies to control invasive species on Fed- 

 eral land. In response, several of the land management agencies have developed 

 management programs. Also, a number of dedicated agency representatives have 

 tried to spark interagency dialogue and cooperation on the topic of invasive species. 

 Despite these efforts, the agencies still lack the focus and commitment of resources 

 requu-ed to do the job. It is time that Congress require the agencies to devote ade- 

 quate time and attention to the control of invasive species. We would like to see 

 the establishment of a high-level committee, with representation from each of the 

 21 agencies mentioned m the OTA Report, convened to estabhsh a coordinated re- 

 sponse to invasive species. 



5. Federal agencies should work creatively with State agencies to solve juris- 

 dictional problems. Particular attention should be paid to preventing the intro- 

 duction of non-indigenous species in Hawaii. 



