President Clinton will sign an Executive Order to prevent the introduction and spread of alien species on February 3, 1999, Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D - Hawaii) announced. The order will mandate that federal agencies take steps to prevent the introduction and spread of harmful alien species, coordinate their actions with other federal agencies, and, by July 1, 2000, develop a national invasive alien species management plan.

"President Clinton's executive order is an important breakthrough in the battle against alien species," Akaka said. "All federal agencies will finally be required to adopt a comprehensive `get tough' approach for controlling noxious alien plants and animals.

"We will never be successful unless the federal government conducts a coordinated campaign against invasive alien species. Twenty-four federal agencies are now responsible for one or more aspects of alien species policy. The requirement that federal agencies coordinate their actions is long overdue."

Under this initiative, federal agencies must evaluate current and future actions and choose the policy option that is least likely to result in the introduction and spread of alien species. The order also requires that a system be established to detect the spread of invasive alien species and that environmentally appropriate methods be used to eradicate problem species.

On January 19, Senator Akaka introduced the Plant Protection Act (S. 83), legislation to reform federal alien species policies relating to noxious weeds and plant pests. Senator Akaka is also drafting new legislation to eliminate the gaps in federal alien species laws that were identified during the preparation of the executive order.

Hawaii has one of the most serious alien species problems in the nation. The State of Hawaii estimates that 19 new alien species become established in Hawaii each year.