B.23. TEXAS STATE COMPREHENSIVE MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR AQUATIC 
NUISANCE SPECIES [DRAFT] 
B.23.1. GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF TEXAS’S DRAFT PLAN 
The draft Texas State Comprehensive Management Plan for Aquatic Nuisance Species 
(ANS) was under review and awaiting approval by the Governor when this analysis was 
conducted. The Management Plan was written by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department 
(TPWD) (available at 
htt p://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/pwdpubs/media/pwd pi t3200 1221 draft.doc ). The 
Plan focuses on control and management of ANS that have already been introduced in Texas. 
The Management Plan is outlines six primary goals to (1) coordinate ANS activities; (2) prevent 
new introductions; (3) detect, monitor, contain, reduce, or eradicate ANS populations; (4) 
educate people about preventing introductions and reducing impacts; (5) conduct and 
disseminate research; and (6) ensure regulations promote ANS prevention and control. Strategic 
actions and tasks are associated with each goal. A section on implementation lists specific tasks 
for fiscal years 2006 and 2007. 
B.23.2. CLIMATE CHANGE AND AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES IN TEXAS 
The eastern region of Texas is predicted to experience an estimated increase of4°F 
(2.2°C) during the summer and 3.5°F (2°C) in the winter. Precipitation projections are less 
certain, but general indications are that there might be small changes in winter and substantial 
increases in summer. Evapotranspiration is projected to increase with rising temperatures, 
resulting in drier soils and decreased runoff during the growing season (Mulholland et al., 1997). 
Increasing water temperatures and decreasing stream flow and groundwater levels may 
damage native species and may benefit numerous ANS already in the state. For example, the 
Management Plan notes that hydrilla and water hyacinth have caused great losses to irrigation 
and drinking water in a variety of areas. Increasing water temperatures will enhance the growth 
potential of these more tropical ANS. Salt cedar, also, is noted as a problem in the Management 
Plan: Because salt cedar does well in drier conditions, it may be able to out-compete native 
plants as conditions become drier. 
B.23.3. THE TEXAS DRAFT PLAN’S CURRENT INTEGRATION OF CLIMATE 
CHANGE 
Table B-22 summarizes how the draft Texas State Comprehensive Management Plan for 
ANS addresses and incorporates the projected effects of climate change. Texas’s Plan does not 
address climate change or changing conditions. 
B-77 
