Overview

The Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) Task Force was established by the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act (reauthorized in 1996 with the passage of the National Invasive Species Act) to serve as a multi-agency body dedicated to preventing and controlling ANS (also known as aquatic invasive species invasive species
An invasive species is any plant or animal that has spread or been introduced into a new area where they are, or could, cause harm to the environment, economy, or human, animal, or plant health. Their unwelcome presence can destroy ecosystems and cost millions of dollars.

Learn more about invasive species , or AIS). On May 8-9, 2019, the ANS Task Force held a public meeting, in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, in South Lake Tahoe, California. The following is an executive summary of the meeting.

Meeting Agenda

Business Items:

  • Adoption of Agenda, Approval of Minutes, Status of Action Items
  • Regional Panel Recommendations
  • Member and Regional Panel Updates
  • Public Comment

Topics for Discussion:

  • State ANS Management Plans submitted for approval: Wisconsin and North Dakota
  • ANS Task Force Report to Congress for 2016 -2017  
  • ANS Task Force Strategic Plan for 2020 – 2025
  • Development of Measureable Outputs for the ANS Task Force Strategic Plan for 2020 – 2025
  • ANS Task Force Committee Structure under the Strategic Plan for 2020 – 2025

Informative Presentations:

  • Lake Tahoe’s Aquatic Invasive Species Program: Ten years of success and planning for the future
  • Preventing Spread of Dreissenids in the West
  • U.S. Geological Survey’s Non-indigenous Aquatic Species Database: New Invasions and Actionable Tools
  • Transboundary Management of European Green Crab
  • Assessing Vectors of Aquatic Invasive Species in Alaska
  • U.S. Army Corp of Engineers: Plants, Inspection Stations, and Research
  • Western States Ballast Water Management Programs and the Vessel Incident Discharge Act
  • Biofouling Management in the Pacific: Managing Risks and BMP development
  • US Maritime Administration Maritime Environmental and Technical Assistance (META) In-water Cleaning Activity

Updates:

  • National Invasive Species Council Management Plan
  • The Department of the Interior Invasive Species Activities

Members Present

Federal:

  • Bureau of Land Management
  • U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
  • U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
  • U.S. Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration
  • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
  • U.S. Fish and Wildlife
  • U.S. Geological Survey
  • National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
  • National Park Service

Ex-officio:

  • Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies*
  • Chesapeake Bay Program
  • Great Lakes Commission
  • Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission
  • Lake Champlain Basin Program
  • Mississippi Interstate Cooperative Resource Association
  • National Aquatic Association
  • National Marine Manufacturers Association*
  • Tahoe Regional Planning Agency
  • San Francisco Estuary Partnership*

Regional Panels:

  • Great Lakes Regional Panel
  • Gulf and South Atlantic Regional Panel
  • Mid-Atlantic Regional Panel
  • Mississippi River Basin Regional Panel
  • Northeast Regional Panel
  • Western Regional Panel

     * On the phone

Decisional Items

The ANS Task Force made the following decisions:

  • Approved the revised Wisconsin Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Management Plan
  • Approved the 2016-17 ANS Task Force Report to Congress
  • Approved the ANS Task Force Strategic Plan for 2020 – 2025

Action Items

The ANS Task Force assigned the following action items:

  • ANS Task Force members and regional panels will send any comments on the revised North Dakota ANS Management Plan by June 1.
  • ANS Task Force Chairs will review the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act (VIDA) to identify ANS Task Force roles and responsibilities and report back at the Fall 2019 ANS Task Force meeting.
  • The ANS Task Force will coordinate with applicable members to respond to the Mid-Atlantic Panel recommendation regarding the Chesapeake Nutria Eradication Partnership.
  • The Western Regional Panel will communicate perspectives from the ANSTF to the Panel members regarding the revision and potential expansion of QZAP and provide a recommended approach
  • ANS Task Force members will submit self-nominations for first and second choice committees (Prevention, EDRR, Control and Restoration, Research, or Education and Outreach)
  • ANS Task Force co-chairs will review nominations and finalize committee membership.
  • ANS Task Force co-chairs will seek clarification on committee structure structure
    Something temporarily or permanently constructed, built, or placed; and constructed of natural or manufactured parts including, but not limited to, a building, shed, cabin, porch, bridge, walkway, stair steps, sign, landing, platform, dock, rack, fence, telecommunication device, antennae, fish cleaning table, satellite dish/mount, or well head.

    Learn more about structure     and membership
  • Committees will review outputs and develop annual work plans for the Goal by October 1.

Region Panel Recommendations:

Western Regional Panel

  1. In recognition of the passage of the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act (VIDA) signed by the President on December 4, 2018, we respectfully request:

    • The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) coordinate with the States to implement VIDA in a timely manner;

    • EPA, USCG and the ANS Task Force provide clarity to the states on the intent and timeline for the Intergovernmental Response Framework provision; and

    • Encourage, in coordination with states, a speedy process for development, full $5 million appropriation as requested, and implementation of the AIS Coastal Mitigation Grant Program and Mitigation Fund.

    • Encourage the USCG to make public the biological efficacy discharge data for type approved ballast water systems.

  2. Maintain and/or increase financial allocation to the panel(s) to support annual meetings, coordination and panel activities.

  3. Maintain and/or increase financial allocation to ANSTF approved state management plans.

  4. Maintain funding to support highest priority components of QZAP.

Mid-Atlantic Regional Panel

  1. Support and facilitate the transfer of the successful strategies, tools, and assets of the Chesapeake Nutria Eradication Partnership to Virginia and North Carolina to continue the eradication of this harmful aquatic invasive species;

  2. Advocate for the continued federal financial allocation of 1.5 – 2 million dollars annually for seven years to eradicate nutria and protect coastal resources in these states; and

  3. Inform agencies and partners about the tremendous financial efficiency in protecting wetlands by eradicating nutria.

For More Information

Contact: Susan Pasko - Executive Secretary, Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force