136 



In addition, the Forest Service, Extension Service, Agricultural Research Service, 

 and Soil Conservation Service stress management practices that restore or maintain 

 ecologically healthy ecosystems through programs such as Range Reform and Eco- 

 system Management. These management practices are the very basis of integrated 

 Eest management programs. Important methods for effective suppression actions are 

 iological control and genetic resistance. Both the Agricultural Research Service and 

 the Forest Service have research pro-ams in these areas. These approaches can 

 also be defined as ecolo^cal restoration because they strive to estabUsh natural 

 checks and balances within invaded ecosystems. 



12. Domestic and international mail is a known pathway for the spread of harm- 

 ful alien plants and agricultural pests. Many live organisms now are available 

 through catalogue sales, and nurseries and aquatic plant dealers sell several feder- 

 ally listed noxious weeds through the mail. Congress recently passed a law specifi- 

 cally addressing this problem in Hawaii, the Allen Species Prevention and Enforce- 

 ment Act, designed to allow the inspection of first class mail entering Hawaii. 



Question. Recognizing that adherence to Federal and State laws that limit areas 

 to which live organisms may be shipped is largely voluntary, is a similar postal in- 

 spection program warranted and feasible for all mail originating fi-om outside the 

 contiguous 48 States? 



At this time, we believe a comprehensive postal inspection program is not prac- 

 tical for all mail originating fi'om outside the contiguous 48 States moving into one 

 State or area. A search warrant must be obtained prior to opening domestic first- 

 class mail, but no such warrant requirement applies to the search of international 

 mail. 



International mail is sorted at concentrated collection points, thus providing an 

 efficient use of inspectors and detectors to interdict prohibited plants and materials 

 into all States. The same is true for mail leaving Hawaii, which is concentrated in 

 Honolulu before shipment to the mainland. 



Currently, we are working with the State of Hawaii to identify the specific pests 

 and inspection protocols that can be appropriately included in a functional quar- 

 antine program. Due to the nature of the materials Hawaii is interested in exclud- 

 ing, the model developed for the mail inspection program to the mainland may not 

 be applicable. We wiU continue to cooperate with the State and agencies involved 

 to activate a postal inspection program for Hawaii. We seek to provide a postal in- 

 spection service that would provide protection from the highest nsks. 



13. How will the Forest Service's new policy of ecosystem management change its 

 work related to NIS? , .. ■ 



Ecosystem management recognizes that management goals and obiectives pertain- 

 ing just to resource output yields are not enough to ensure that the full range of 

 ecosystem values and functions remain intact. This new approach aims at sustain- 

 ing diverse, healthy, and productive ecosystems so that people may continue to ben- 

 efit fi-om their management goals and objectives that relate to the health and sus- 

 tainability of ecosystems, and to the complex roles that the National forests and 

 grasslands serve in the Uves and livelihoods of Americans. 



First and foremost, our professionals understand that an ecosystem management 

 approach requires working with, not against, the dynamic processes that shape and 

 sustain ecosystem health. Proper ecosystem management requires an understanding 

 of the importance of the dynamic ecological systems that respond to perturbations 

 of both natural origin and human origins, such as increased rate of introduction of 

 exotic species. Biological diversity is crucial to ecosystem health. A key factor in de- 

 termining the ability of systems to adapt to environment change is the quality and 

 variety of genetic raw material contained in the systems life forms. Our goal is to 

 maintain the composition, structure, and function critical to maintaining the ability 

 of ecosystems to adapt to the rigors of the environment. The result is rich and com- 

 plex ecosystems that are resilient to a variety of environmental stresses. An aggres- 

 sive approach to understanding and managing the effects of invasive exotic plants 

 is a critical factor in maintaining biological diversity. 



14. Prevention appears to be the best approach in limiting introductions of alien 



Eests, with environmental education as the key element. Still, little research has 

 een done on why people bring illegal plants and animals into the country, or why 

 they dump these harmful species outside their property. 



Question. What recommendations do you have for educating our citizens on the 

 dangers of alien species? 



The most important aspect of an educational campaign is reaching a targeted au- 

 dience with a specific message. To accomplish this, we involve the local media, (tele- 

 vision, radio, and print) and use public service announcements and topical stories 

 to increase the audience's awareness about the dangers of non-indigenous species. 

 We also distribute brochures, guidelines for travelers, and fact sheets, signs in ports, 



