Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force

Documents

This page serves as a reference list of Task Force documents, including organizational documents, management plans, and guidance materials, with detailed information available on the corresponding subject pages. (Please note: Some of these documents are not currently accessible.  To request a Section 508 compliant copy please contact Susan Pasko, Executive Secretary, Designated Federal Officer)

Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force Organizational Documents

• Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force Charter (2024)
• Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force Membership Balance Plan
• Interagency Agreement (1998)
• Memorandum of Understanding (1992) 

Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force Strategic Plans

• ANS Task Force Strategic Plan (2020-2025)
• ANS Task Force Strategic Plan (2013-2017)
• ANS Task Force Strategic Plan (2007-2012)
• Aquatic Nuisance Species Program (1994)

Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force Reports to Congress

• ANS Task Force Report to Congress (2018-2019)
• ANS Task Force Report to Congress (2016 – 2017)
• ANS Task Force Report to Congress (2015)
• ANS Task Force Report to Congress (2004)
• ANS Task Force Report to Congress - Intentional Introductions Policy Review (1994)

Aquatic Nuisance Species Laws and Regulations

• National Invasive Species Act of 1996 (NISA)
• Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990 (NANPCA)
• Injurious Provisions of the Lacey Act (18 U.S.C. 42; 50 CFR 16)
• Federal Advisory Committee Act GSA
• Final Rule on Federal Advisory Committee Management

Aquatic Nuisance Species Interagency Documents

• Federal Lands Policy Options for Addressing the Movement of AIS onto and off of Federal Lands (2015)

Other Federal Invasive Species Interagency Organizations

• Overview of National Federal Interagency Coordinating Groups
• Federal Interagency Committee for the Management of Noxious and Exotic Weeds (FICMNEW)
• Federal Integrated Pest Management Coordinating Committee (FIPMCC)
• Federal Interagency Committee on Invasive Terrestrial Animals and Pathogens (ITAP)
• National Invasive Species Council (NISC)
• Technical Advisory Group for Biological Control Agents of Weeds (TAG-BCAW)

State Aquatic Nuisance Species Management Plans

• Alabama Aquatic Nuisance Species Management Plan
• Alaska Aquatic Nuisance Species Management Plan
• State of Arizona Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan
• Arkansas Aquatic Nuisance Species Management Plan
• California Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan
• State of Colorado Aquatic Nuisance Species Management Plan
• Connecticut Aquatic Nuisance Species Management Plan
• Delaware’s Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan
• Georgia Aquatic Nuisance Species Management Plan
• State of Hawaii Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Management Plan
• Idaho Aquatic Nuisance Species Plan
• Illinois State Comprehensive Management Plan for Aquatic Nuisance Species
• Indiana Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) Management Plan
• Plan for the Management of Aquatic Nuisance Species in Iowa
• Kansas Aquatic Nuisance Species Management Plan
• Kentucky Aquatic Nuisance Species Management Plan
• State Management Plan for Aquatic Invasive Species in Louisiana
• Massachusetts Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan
• State of Maine Action Plan for managing Invasive Aquatic Species
• Maryland Aquatic Nuisance Species Management Plan
• Michigan's Aquatic Invasive Species State Management Plan 2002 Update
• Minnesota State Management Plan for Invasive Species
• Mississippi State Management Plan for Aquatic Invasive Species
• Missouri Department of Conservation Aquatic Nuisance Species Management Plan
• Montana Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) Management Plan
• Nebraska Aquatic Nuisance Species Management Plan
• Nevada Aquatic Nuisance Species Management Plan
• New Jersey Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan
• New Mexico Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan
• New York Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan
• North Dakota Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) Management Plan
• State Management Plan for Aquatic Invasive Species Ohio Department of Natural Resources
• Oklahoma Aquatic Nuisance Species Management Plan
• Oregon Aquatic Nuisance Species Management Plan
• Pennsylvania Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan
• Rhode Island Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan
• South Carolina Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan
• State of South Dakota Aquatic Nuisance Species Management Plan
• Tennessee Aquatic Nuisance Species Management Plan
• Texas Comprehensive Management Plan for Aquatic Nuisance Species
• Utah Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan
• Virginia Invasive Species Management Plan
• Washington State Aquatic Nuisance Species Management Plan
• Wisconsin's Comprehensive Management Plan to Prevent Further Introductions and Control Existing Populations of Aquatic Invasive Species
• Wyoming Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan

Interstate Aquatic Nuisance Species Management Plans

• Lake Tahoe Region Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan - California and Nevada
• Lake Tahoe Region Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan - Appendices A-F
• Lake Champlain Basin
• St. Croix Nation Scenic Riverway 

Regional Aquatic Nuisance Species Management Plans

• Quagga-Zebra Mussel Action Plan for Western U.S. Waters
• Updated Recommendations for the Quagga and Zebra Mussel Action Plan for Western U.S. Waters
• Connecticut River Hydrilla Control Project Five-Year Management Plan

Aquatic Nuisance Species Databases

• Nonindigenous Aquatic Species (NAS) information resource
• Great Lakes Aquatic Nonindigenous Species information System
• National Exotic Marine and Estuarine Species Information System
• National Ballast Information Clearinghouse 

Prevention Guidance Documents

• American Boat & Yacht Council, T-32 Design and Construction in Consideration of Aquatic Invasive Species (2018)
• HACCP Training Manual (2014)
• Generic Nonindigenous Aquatic Organisms Risk Analysis Review Process(1996)
• Pathway Definition, Risk Analysis and Risk Prioritization - Training and Implementation Guide(2007)
• Generic Nonindigenous Aquatic Organisms Risk Analysis Review Process (1996)
• Decontaminating Firefighting Equipment to Reduce the Spread of Aquatic Invasive Species(2022)
• Outgoing Exit Watercraft Inspection – Containment Waters (2020)
• Outgoing Exit Watercraft Inspection – Prevention Waters (2020)
• Incoming and Offwater Inspection Protocol (2020 (2020)

Rapid Response Guidance Documents Fund

• The Model Process: Rapid Response Fund for Aquatic Invasive Species (2023)
• Guidelines for the Development of an Aquatic Invasive Species Rapid Response Plan (2025). 

Rapid Response Plans

• Columbia River Basin Interagency Invasive Species Response Plan: Zebra Mussels and Other Dreissenid Species
• Lake Champlain Basin Rapid Response Action Plan for Aquatic Invasive Species-
• Rapid Response Planning for Aquatic Invasive Species: A Maryland Example
• A Model Rapid Response Plan for Aquatic Invasive Species: Mississippi River Basin Panel on Aquatic Nuisance Species
• Response Protocols for Biofouled Debris and Invasive Species Generated by the 2011 Japan Tsunami. 

Control Subcommittee Documents

• Guidance for Aquatic Nuisance Species Control and Management Plans (2025)
• Summary of Gaps in Control and Restoration Measures (2021)
• Assessment of the Species Control and Management Plans of the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force   (2021)

National ANS Management and Control Plans

• Brown tree snake, approved June 1996
• Eurasian ruffe, approved November 1996, archived 2022
• European green crab, approved November 2002; revision approved June 2024
• Mitten crabs, approved November 2003.
• Caulerpa species (an invasive algae), approved October 2005.
• Snakehead, approved November 2006, revision approved May 2015.
• New Zealand mudsnail, approved May 2007.
• Invasive carp (black carp, bighead carp, grass carp, and silver carp), approved November 2007.
• Lionfish, approved May 2015.

Regional Aquatic Nuisance Species Management Plans

• Quagga-Zebra Mussel Action Plan for Western U.S. Waters
• Updated Recommendations for the Quagga and Zebra Mussel Action Plan for Western U.S. Waters
• Connecticut River Hydrilla Control Project Five-Year Management Plan
• Northern Snakehead Plan for Chesapeake Bay Watershed

Research Guidance Documents

• National Priorities List for Research on Aquatic Invasive Species
• Federal Aquatic Nuisance Species Research Risk Analysis Protocol
• Protocol for Evaluating Research Proposals Concerning Nonindigenous Aquatic Species

National Aquatic Nuisance Species Outreach Campaigns

• Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers!
• Habitattitude
• Don’t Let It Loose

Outreach Resources

• National Invasive Species Outreach Campaign Assessment (2022)
• National Aquatic Invasive Species Outreach Workshop Summary Report (2025)
• Evaluation of the Effectiveness of in the Western State Aquatic Invasive Species Public Awareness Campaigns for Eliciting Desired Prevention Behaviors (2022)
• Summary of Western States’ Aquatic Invasive Species Outreach Campaigns: Target Audiences, Messaging, Delivery, and Lessons Learned  (2021)
• Assessing Risk Communication in the Pet and Aquarium Trade (2024)
• Traveling Trunk of Invasive Species
• Mid-Atlantic Field Guide to Aquatic Invasive Species   (2015)
• Great Lakes Panel on ANS: Index of AIS Communication and Education Campaigns and Programs  (2015)
• Guidelines for How to Staff AIS Booths at Public Events  (2025)
• Social Media Guidelines to Promote Clean, Drain, Dry Behaviors Among the Recreational Boating Public (2025)

Outreach Guidance Documents

• Mitigating the Impacts of Aquatic Invasive Species in Commerce(2024)
• Aquatic Invasive Species in Commerce, Model Regulatory Language to Address Priority Gaps(2024)
• Pet Store Employee Guidance to Respond to Hitchhikers in Shipments
• Adopting a Classroom Animal/Plant Pledge Form
• Adopting a Classroom Animal/Plant Pledge Form (Spanish version)
• Classroom Guidelines for Preventing the Introduction and Spread of Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS)
• Classroom Guidelines for Preventing the Introduction and Spread of Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) (Spanish version)
• Voluntary Guidelines to Prevent the Introduction and Spread of Aquatic Invasive Species: Recreational Activities
• Voluntary Guidelines to Prevent the Introduction and Spread of Aquatic Invasive Species: Water Gardening