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Aquatic Nuisance Species
Aquatic Nuisance Species > Current Reports
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Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming are all impacted by invasive noxious species. Region 8 landscape consists of high plains, mountains, the pothole region and deserts. Except for the higher elevations, rainfall is limited and the area is considered to be a semiarid to arid climate. Surface waters are not generally used for national or international navigation.
EPP scientists and technical experts have begun to see an ever increasing concern about aquatic and riparian invasive species impacting waters of Region 8. With the increasing concern about invasive impacts, there are additional requests for technical assistance to determine if a project locale is at risk for invasive species infestation, early detection, monitoring strategies and managing invasives impacting aquatic ecosystems in Region 8.
In the past, most western states and federal invasive species programs have concentrated on agricultural , rangeland and forestry invasive problems. Terrestrial invasive plants such as leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula) and field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis) have received much of the attention. States are just now beginning to report on aquatic and riparian invasive species, and then usually only when they impact agricultural concerns. Other areas of concern are forestry insects and disease, riparian species that are characterized as utilizing high amounts of water, such as Tamarisk. Invasive species management programs which emphasize aquatic species are gaining visibility and there is a growing recognition of the economic and environmental costs of aquatic nuisance species. The Western Governors' Association Policy Resolution 02 - 21, Undesirable Aquatic, Riparian, and Invasive Species, emphasizes the need to address this problem.
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June 2002, the Western Governors' Association issued Policy Resolution
02 - 21 "Invasive or undesirable aquatic, riparian and terrestrial species
influence the productivity, value, and management of a broad range of
land and water resources in the West. These undesirable species have significant
negative economic, social and ecological impacts... ......The Western
Governors support coordinated, multistate management and eradication actions
preventing the spread, intentional and unintentional introductions, and
control of undesirable aquatic and terrestrial species on land and in
the water. The principal objectives will be to maintain properly functioning
natural systems, agriculture productivity, enhancing resource and environmental
protection, and the protection of human health. Aquatic and Riparian Invasives
impact the western US in a number of ways: economic health, human health,
wildlife health and ecosystem health (increased erosion, toxic and alleopathic
impacts, water mining, shoreline stability, biodiversity). For more information,
view the issued policy resolution at http://www.westgov.org/wga/policy/02/invasives_21.pdf
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An "invasive species" means an alien species whose introduction does or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health. "Each Federal agency whose actions may affect the status of invasive
species shall, to the extent practicable and permitted by law, (1) identify
such actions; (2) . . . use relevant programs and authorities to: (i)
prevent the introduction of invasive species; (ii) detect and respond
rapidly to and control populations of such species in a cost-effective
and environmentally sound manner; (iii) monitor invasive species populations
accurately and reliably; (iv) provide for restoration of native species
and habitat conditions in ecosystems that have been invaded; (v) conduct
research on invasive species and develop technologies to prevent introduction
and provide for environmentally sound control of invasive species; and
(vi) promote public education on invasive species and the means to address
them; and (3) not authorize, fund, or carry out actions that it believes
are likely to cause or promote the introduction or spread of invasive
species in the United States or elsewhere . . . |
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Region 8 is developing a list of major species of concern. It is based on Region 8 State lists, neighboring state lists and presence in neighboring states, and federal lists. A number of other factors are being considered: including local interest, probability of the invasive to become established within ecosystems in Region 8, ecosystem models, and the presence of a pathway of introduction. Region 8 Species of Concern: Eichhornia crassipes (water hyacinth)
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