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The Global Invasive Species Team | |
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Global Invasive Species Team listserve digest #022 Mon, 08 Feb 1999 17:25:21 -0800 (PST) --CONTENTS-- 1. Executive Order on Invasive Species 2. Looking for Preserves to Highlight in magazine article --------------------------------------- 1. Executive Order on Invasive Species From: John Randall (jarandall(at)ucdavis.edu) President Clinton signed an Executive Order on Invasive Species last Tuesday Feb. 2. The Order was publicly announced the next day at a press conference led by Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman, Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt, and NOAA Administrator James Baker. The Order: ** directs federal agencies to use their authorities to prevent the introduction of invasive species and to restore native species. ** creates an Invasive Species Council that is charged to develop a comprehensive invasive species Management Plan within 18 months. The Management Plan is to seek ways to prevent new introductions, control invaders that are already present and restore natives. The Council itself will be comprised of the Secretaries of State, Defense, Interior, Agriculture, Commerce, etc. but will be advised by a special Committee established by the Interior Secretary. The special committee will include representatives from 'stakeholder' groups (possibly including TNC, other conservation groups, ranchers, nurseries, etc). The committee is where we will have a chance to directly or indirectly influence the Management Plan. **The Council is also charged with facilitating establishment of an internet-based database network on invasive species. Just two days before the Order was announced, President Clinton released his proposed FY 2000 budget which includes an increase of more than $28.8 million in funds to combat exotic pests and diseases and to accelerate research on habitat restoration and biologically-based integrated pest management methods. The Order and surrounding publicity have focused attention on the invasives for the moment and many of us are hopeful that at least some of these funds will be approved by Congress. Some $$ may become available as grants for control work and research. It remains to be seen whether federal agency policy changes and funding increases will really occur. Keep your eyes peeled! --------------------------------------- 2. Looking for Preserves to Highlight in magazine article John Randall (jarandall(at)ucdavis.edu) Please nominate your own preserve or another TNC site if you had/have invasive species problems but are having some success controlling them. Author Bob Devine is writing an article on invasives for an upcoming issue of The Nature Conservancy magazine and wants to include some real-world stories. Stories about successful or partially successful prevention and control are most desirable. Bob wants examples with invasive weeds and/or invasive animals, particularly fish. Send your 'nomination' and a short 1-3 sentences to me (jarandall(at)ucdavis.edu) and I'll forward them to Bob. --------------------------------------------------------------- |
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