[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 248 (Friday, December 28, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Page 73875]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-25262]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Office of the Secretary
Human Capital, Performance and Partnerships; National Invasive
Species Council
AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of Availability--Draft of the 2008-2012 National
Invasive Species Management Plan.
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SUMMARY: Pursuant to Executive Order 13112, the National Invasive
Species Council (NISC) is announcing the availability of the draft of
the 2008-2012 National Invasive Species Management Plan for a 45-day
public comment period. The Order established NISC as an inter-agency
council to prevent and control invasive species in order to minimize
their economic, ecological and human health impacts. The Council, which
is co-chaired by the Secretaries of Agriculture, Commerce and the
Interior also includes the Departments of State, Defense,
Transportation, Homeland Security, Treasury, Health and Human Services,
as well as the Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Trade
Representative, the U.S. Agency for International Development and the
National Aeronautics and Atmospheric Administration. The Plan is
intended to address invasive species in the areas of prevention, early
detection and rapid response, control, restoration and organizational
collaboration. Text of the 2008-2012 National Invasive Species
Management Plan is available in PDF format at
www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov.
DATES: All comments must be received by close of business on February
11, 2008.
ADDRESSES: National Invasive Species Council, Office of the Secretary,
1849 C Street, NW., Washington, DC 20240.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kelsey Brantley, National Invasive
Species Council Senior Program Analyst: E-mail: Kelsey--
Brantley@ios.doi.gov; Phone: 202-513-7243; Fax: (202) 371-1751.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Executive Order 13112 on Invasive Species
(EO 13112) was issued in 1999 and established the National Invasive
Species Council (NISC) which is co-chaired by the Secretaries of the
Interior, Agriculture and Commerce. EO 13112 directed the Secretary of
the Interior to establish an Invasive Species Advisory Committee (ISAC)
composed of diverse nonfederal stakeholders to advise NISC. The broad
mission of NISC is to provide planning, coordination and national
leadership to prevent and control the harmful impacts of invasive
species to the economy, the environment as well as animal and human
health.
Section 5 of EO 13112 directed NISC to issue the National Invasive
Species Management Plan, as well as to revise and update the Plan on a
regular basis. The first version of the National Invasive Species
Management Plan, ``Meeting the Challenge'', was issued in January of
2001 (2001 Plan). The purpose of the Plan was to provide a general
blueprint for federal action in coordination with State, local, Tribal,
and private programs and international cooperation to prevent the
introduction of invasive species, provide for their control and
minimize the economic, environmental and human health impacts.
This document is the first revision of the 2001 Plan, as mandated
by EO 13112. The 2008-2012 National Invasive Species Management Plan
(2008 Plan) will provide direction for Federal efforts (including
overall strategy and objectives) to prevent, control and minimize
invasive species and their impacts within the next five (5) fiscal
years (2008 through 2012). If necessary, it may be updated more
frequently to reflect changes in circumstances, agency plans and
priorities. NISC member agencies, ISAC members, NISC staff,
stakeholders and other experts have provided input in drafting this
revision, which is intended to replace the 2001 Plan.
Federal, State, local and Tribal governments, as well as the
private sector, have taken significant steps to meet the challenges
posed by invasive species. These steps set the stage for the 2008 Plan
and provide direction and focus. An estimated 67% of the 2001 Plan's 57
action items have been completed or are in progress. However
significant challenges remain and much remains to be done to prevent
and control invasive species in a coordinated and cost efficient
manner. Long-range strategic planning, consistent with other government
agencies' strategic plans is necessary to address complex invasive
species issues. The 2008 Plan establishes five, long-term Strategic
Goals that focus Federal efforts in the areas of invasive species work
related to:
(1) Prevention;
(2) Early Detection and Rapid Response;
(3) Control and Management;
(4) Restoration; and
(5) Organizational Collaboration.
The Strategic Goals are ongoing and serve as guideposts for
managing invasive species. Each Strategic Goal has an associated
Strategic Action Plan with long-term Objectives and shorter-term
Implementation Tasks and Performance Elements. Where practicable,
Implementation Tasks define specific Performance Elements that can be
used to gauge progress. Work in Research, Information and Data
Management and International Cooperation (which were addressed in
separate sections in the 2001 Plan) are elements critical to achieving
each of the five Strategic Goals and are included in the pertinent
sections of the 2008 Plan.
The 2008 Plan is not a comprehensive list of all Federal invasive
species actions. It is a targeted set of priority Strategic Action
Plans and Objectives that are intended to be completed in the next five
years. The accomplishment of specific Implementation Tasks and
Performance Elements will be dependent upon agency budgets, and in some
cases, legal or regulatory changes.
Invasive species issues cannot be addressed by Federal programs and
actions alone. As reflected in EO 13112, State, local, Tribal and
private programs and policies are critical to success. Therefore,
receiving public comment on this proposed 2008 Plan is an important
component of any strategy to address and reduce the harmful impacts of
invasive species.
Submitting Comments: Text of the 2008-2012 National Invasive
Species Management Plan is available in PDF format at
www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov. Printed copies of the Plan may be obtained
by mail or e-mail request to the address below.
Written comments should be addressed to Lori Williams, NISC
Executive Director, U.S. Department of the Interior, Office of the
Secretary, National Invasive Species Council (OS/NISC), 1849 C Street,
NW., Washington, DC 20240. Comments can also be e-mailed to
invasivespecies@ios.doi.gov. In order to be considered, comments must
be received by close of business on February 11, 2008.
Dated: December 20, 2007.
Lori C. Williams,
Executive Director.
[FR Doc. E7-25262 Filed 12-27-07; 8:45 am]
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