103 



traps, creation of snake-free areas, methods of detection and biological and chemical 

 control methods. 



Many of the programs discussed to this point have dealt with unintentional intro- 

 ductions. The ANS Task Force, established under has also undertaken an effort to 

 identify and evaluate approaches for reducing the risk of adverse consequences asso- 

 ciated with the intentional introductions of aquatic organisms. A report to Congress 

 on the findings, conclusions and recommendations of that review has undergone ex- 

 tensive public scrutiny and will be submitted to Congress this spring, following Ad- 

 ministration clearance. 



Additional non-native species research activities being conducted by NBS include 

 cooperative efforts by the Alaska and Madison Centers on a study of the role of non- 

 native birds as competitors and vectors of pathogens on native Hawaiian forest 

 birds. NBS also has a major effort on the inventory, monitoring and taxonomy of 

 non-native and special status plants on Federal lands including developing tech- 

 niques to control invasive exotic weeds. 



The Service has ongoing efforts on National Wildlife Refuges to control non-native 

 nuisance species in order to protect and maintain populations of native species. 



The Department of the Interior is committed to carrying out its responsibilities 

 under the Non-indigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act and other 

 authorities, and working jointly with the other Federal, State and conservation 

 agencies to ensure that we protect our fish and wildlife resources from all non-indig- 

 enous nuisance species and doing everything within our authority to prevent the in- 

 troduction of new harmful non-indigenous nuisance species. Some or the best Fed- 

 eral policy strategies for the future to address non-indigenous species are contained 

 within the Act. The development and establishment of the ANS Program will pro- 

 vide the Federal agencies with a comprehensive framework with which to address 

 non-indigenous aquatic species. Implementation of this program will require a 

 steady commitment and a continuing coordinated effort by the Federal agencies 

 with responsible for addressing these problems. In addition, the ANS Program could 

 serve as a model for developing a comprehensive national strategy to address the 

 introduction of all harmful non-indigenous species. 



The completion of the Intentional Introductions Policy Review and the ANS Pro- 

 gram, as well as the progress on the other studies required by the Act, demonstrate 

 the effectiveness of ANS Task Force as a forum for cooperation and reflect a shared 

 commitment and dedication among Federal agencies in addressing non-indigenous 

 species problem. 



This concludes my prepared statement. I would be pleased to answer any ques- 

 tions you might have. 



PREPARED STATEMENT OF KATHARINE W. KIMBALL 



Mr. Chairman and Members of the Committee: 



I am Katharine Kimball, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere, 

 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), U.S. Department of 

 Commerce. I am also Co-Chair of the interagency Aquatic Nuisance Species Task 

 Force (Task Force) created by the Non-indigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and 

 Control Act of 1990 (Act). I appreciate the opportimity to discuss the risks presented 

 by both unintentional and intentional introductions of non-indigenous species. Rec- 

 ognizing that the Committee has heard from a number of witnesses touching on 

 freshwater introductions, I will emphasize saltwater issues in my testimony. 



The Act was designed to mitigate the overall problem of aquatic nuisance species. 

 It established an interagency Task Force to achieve this end. The Task Force is co- 

 chaired by NOAA and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and includes rep- 

 resentatives from the Coast Guard, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the 

 Army Corps of Engineers, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of the 

 Department of Agriculture, and the Department of State. In addition, there are 

 eignt ex officio members appointed to represent non-Federal entities. 



Historically the problems associated with introductions of non-indigenous species 

 were the result of inadequate knowledge and review. Very Uttle attention was given 

 to the various pathways that unintentionally resulted in movement of species. A 

 shrinking world has meant increasing mobility, more rapid transportation, and in- 

 creased demand for foreign products. As we all have become less isolated, the prob- 

 ability that non-indigenous species will be introduced into new ecosystems has risen. 

 In the case of intentional introductions, past introductions have taken place without 

 adequate review of the potential risks involved. 



The Non-indigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act provided a se- 

 ries of tasks to be carried out with the goal of preventing and mitigating the prob- 



