Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force

Documents

(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 (2022)
• 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 SpeciesLaws 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

• 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
• Connecticut Aquatic Nuisance Species Management Plan 
• Georgia Aquatic Nuisance Species Management Plan
• State of Hawaii Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Management Plan
• Plan for the Management of Aquatic Nuisance Species in Iowa
• Idaho Aquatic Nuisance Species Plan
• Illinois State Comprehensive Management Plan for Aquatic Nuisance Species 
• Indiana Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) Management Plan
• 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
• 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 - (Please note: this management plan is not currently accessible. To request a Section 508 compliant copy, please contact Susan Pasko, Designated Federal Officer.)
• North Dakota Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) Management Plan
• Nebraska Aquatic Nuisance Species Management Plan
• New Mexico Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan 
• New York Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan
• Oklahoma Aquatic Nuisance Species Management Plan
• State Management Plan for Aquatic Invasive Species Ohio Department of Natural Resources
• 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 - Appenidix A: Regulations and Programs
• 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

National Aquatic Nuisance Species Outreach Campaigns

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

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

Prevention Guidance Documents

• Watercraft Inspection Protocols- coming soon
• 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)
• Decontaminating Firefighting Equipment to Reduce the Spread of Aquatic Invasive Species - Developed by the Western Regional Panel, the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force these adopted these protocols in 2023. This how-to guide provides step-by-step instructions on drafting from a water source, setting up and using a decontamination station, and disposing of products once finished at a site to minimize the introduction and spread of AIS. This guide is intended to serve as a supplement to the National Wildfire Coordinating Group’s Guide to Preventing AIS Transport by Wildfire Operations (PMS 444, January 2017).

Developed by the Western Regional Panel, the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force these adopted these protocols in 2021 as recommended procedures for watercraft inspection and decontamination.

• Outgoing Exit Watercraft Inspection – Containment Waters (2020)
• Outgoing Exit Watercraft Inspection – Prevention Waters (2020)
• Incoming and Offwater Inspection Protocol (2020)

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 -
• Response Protocols for Biofouled Debris and Invasive Species Generated by the 2011 Japan Tsunami. 

Rapid Response Fund

The Model Process: Rapid Response Fund for Aquatic Invasive Species -  outlines a 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 process for a pilot Rapid Response Fund for Aquatic Invasive Species. It defines circumstances and activities that qualify for funding and addresses eligibility of applicants, application process, evaluation criteria, expectations on desired outcomes, and the relationship of those activities to the National EDRR Framework. 

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
• Reducing the Risk of Introducing or Spreading Nonindigenous plants, Animals, and Microorganisms through Science and Engineering Fair Projects

Outreach Assessments

• National Invasive Species Outreach Campaign Assessment 2002
• Campaign Effectiveness in the Western States
• Assessing Risk Communication in the Pet and Aquarium Trade

Outreach Guidance Documents

• 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)
• Guidance for Science and Engineering Fair Projects 
• 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

National ANS Management and Control Plans

When the ANS Task Force determines that control of an aquatic nuisance species is warranted, recommended actions are organized into a comprehensive management plan that focuses on essential tasks designed to minimize the impact to areas where ANS have already invaded and prevent spread into additional habitats. Species management plans are developed through a cooperative process, with committee members from Federal and State agencies, non-governmental organizations, industry representatives, subject matter experts, and others. The plans also undergo review by the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force members and regional panels, with opportunities for public review.

There are currently nine National Aquatic Nuisance Species Management and Control Plans approved by the ANS Task Force:

• Brown tree snake, approved June 1996
• Eurasian ruffe, approved November 1996.
• European green crab, approved November 2002; revision approved July 2023
• 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.