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6 



began development of the ANS Program in February 1991. Because 

 the issues involved in its development have been more extensive 

 and complex than originally anticipated, its development has 

 taken longer than the 12 month timeframe outlined in the Act. 

 The development, clearance, and public review process recently 

 has been completed, however, and the final ANS Program is - - 

 expected to be approved by the Task Force at its November 1993 

 meeting. Pending Departmental and 0MB approval, it will be 

 forwarded to Congress. The ANS Program builds upon existing 

 nonindigenous species activities and will be a cooperative effort 

 among Federal and state agencies, local government, and 

 nongovernmental entities. To achieve the Task Force's goals, the 

 ANS Program consists of the following elements: prevention, 

 monitoring and detection, control, research, technical 

 assistance, education, and a Zebra Mussel Demonstration Program. 



Prevention of unintentional introductions of nonindigenous 

 aquatic species will be undertaken through a pathway 

 identification, risk assessment and mitigation process which will 

 be developed by the Task Force's Risk Identification and 

 Management Committee. The committee will be modifying a process 

 developed by the Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant 

 Health Inspection Service for evaluating nonindigenous plant 

 pests to develop the risk assessment portion of this element. 



