Effective Date: 6/26/95

Series: Public Lands

Part 609: Weed Control Program

Chapter 1: Policy and Responsibilities

Originating Office: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

1.1 Introduction. A weed is a plant growing out of control or in a location where it is not desired. Undesirable plants/weeds are usually regarded as noxious when they interfere with man's activities or welfare. Undesirable plants influence the productivity, value, and management of a broad range of land and water resources under the jurisdiction of the Department of the Interior (DOI). Their injurious and undesirable effects include, but are not limited to, reduction of the yield and quality of desirable crop and forage plants; poisoning livestock; impacts to threatened and endangered species and native biodiversity; adverse effects upon human health through allergies, poisoning, and harboring vectors; obstruction of water flow in irrigation and drainage systems; reduction of the value of streams, lakes, and reservoirs for fish and wildlife habitat, and public water supply; interference with facilities maintenance; interference with power transmission; and other functions of utilities; and detracting from the aesthetic and recreational value of wildlands, parklands, and other areas.

1.2 Policy.

A. It is DOI's policy to control undesirable plants on the lands, waters, or facilities under its jurisdiction, to the extent economically practicable and as needed for resource/environmental protection and enhancement, as well as the accomplishment of resource management objectives and the protection of human health.

B. Programs for the control of undesirable plants on DOI lands, waters, and facilities will incorporate Integrated Pest Management (IPM) concepts and practices. This refers to a systematic and environmentally compatible program developed by a team of individuals with appropriately diverse technical backgrounds (biology, endangered species, soil and water, pesticides, agronomy, information management, etc.) and an adequate understanding of weed biology and behavior to reduce or maintain weed populations within economically, aesthetically, and socially tolerable levels. IPM involves the use of all suitable techniques, including biological, chemical, physical (mechanical and manual), cultural control measures (environmental manipulation), and public awareness programs.

C. Consistent with their missions and authorities, Departmental offices and bureaus having land and water resource management responsibilities are to conduct or sponsor appropriate research, technology transfer, cooperative agreements, public education, and technical assistance programs to develop and encourage the use of environmentally safe and effective IPM programs for the control of undesirable plants.

D. Interior offices and bureaus will coordinate their IPM activities concerning weed control operations, research, and technology transfer with related programs and goals of private, local, State, and other Federal agencies where such cooperation is feasible and mutually advantageous.

E. All IPM programs and activities relating to the control of undesirable plants on DOI lands will be carried out pursuant to applicable statutes, directives, and Departmental policies pertaining to protection of the environment and human health.

1.3 Authority. Authorities include but are not limited to the following Public Laws, Executive orders, and Federal Regulations.

A. Statutory authority for DOI's undesirable plant management policy and programs includes the following:

(1) Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended, Public Law 94-579 (43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.);

(2) Public Rangelands Improvement Act of 1978, Public Law 95-514 (43 U.S.C. 1901 et seq.);

(3) Reclamation Act of 1902, 32 Stat. 388 (43 U.S.C. 391);

(4) The "Carlson-Foley Act," Public Law 90-583 (43 U.S.C. 1241 et seq.), providing for the control of noxious plants on lands under the control or jurisdiction of the Federal Government;

(5) Federal Noxious Weed Act of 1974, Public Law 93-629, as amended (7 U.S.C. 2801 et seq.);

(6) Halogeton Glamoratus Control Act, 66 Stat. 597 (7 U.S.C. 1651 et seq.), providing for the control of halogeton on lands under the Department's jurisdiction;

(7) Endangered Species Act, Public Law 93-205, as amended by Public Law 100-478 (16 U.S.C. 1531, et seq.);

(8) National Park Service Organic Act, 39 Stat. 535, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1 et seq.); and

(9) Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, as amended (7 U.S.C. 136 et seq.).

B. In addition to the aforementioned authorities, the following Public Laws, Executive orders, Federal regulations, and the Departmental Manual influence application of IPM for the control of undesirable plants.

(1) National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Public Law 91-190 as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.);

(2) The Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972, Public Law 92-500, as amended;

(3) Noxious Weed Regulations, 7 CFR Part 360;

(4) Pesticide Programs, 40 CFR Subchapter E;

(5) Interagency Cooperation, 50 CFR Part 402;

(6) Departmental Manual, Pesticide Use Policy, 517 DM 1;

(7) Executive Order 11514--Protection and Enhancement of Environmental Quality, as amended by Executive Orders 11541 and 11991 (March 5, 1970);

(8) Executive Order 11738--Administration of the Clean Air Act and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act with Respect to Federal Contracts, Grants, or Loans (September 10, 1973); and

(9) Executive Order 11987--Exotic Organisms (May 24, 1977).

1.4 Responsibility. The responsibility for Departmental programs for the control of undesirable plants and activities is assigned as follows:

A. Office of the Secretary. The Assistant Secretary -Policy, Management and Budget (PMB) is responsible for establishing and developing funding initiatives for an undesirable plant management program in coordination with the bureaus. The Assistant Secretary - Policy, Management and Budget, in coordination with the Departmental Weed Control Committee, will develop cooperative agreements with State agencies to coordinate the management of undesirable plant species on Federal lands and waters in accordance with Section 15(c) of the Federal Noxious Weed Act of 1974 (7 U.S.C. 2814(c)). On behalf of the Office of the Secretary, the National Biological Service is designated as the DOI lead office to develop and coordinate a science based program to support management activities to control undesirable plants on lands and waters under the Department's jurisdiction. The National Biological

Service will provide Interior offices and bureaus with scientific information to establish integrated management systems to control or contain undesirable plant species. The National Biological Service will develop reporting procedures to track the status, trends and control of undesirable plants on lands and waters under the Department's jurisdiction.

B. Program Assistant Secretaries. The Assistant Secretaries - Land and Minerals Management, Fish and Wildlife and Parks, Indian Affairs, and Water and Science are responsible for implementation of this policy and exercising Secretarial direction in relation to all programs for the control of undesirable plants and activities affecting the Interior bureaus and resources under their respective jurisdictions.

C. Bureaus. The head of each DOI bureau will ensure uniform bureauwide compliance to all Federal laws, regulations, and Executive orders and provide responsible, ecologically sound management to all lands, waters, and facilities held in trust by that bureau for the United States of America. This includes strict compliance with the policy and regulation established in the previously mentioned laws, regulations, instructions, and Executive orders.

The head of each DOI bureau is responsible for the planning, funding, implementation, and oversight of such programs and activities as may be required to accomplish the goals and objectives of the IPM program for the control of undesirable plants and carry out the policies prescribed in 1.2 (above) with respect to the Interior lands, waters, and other resources under his or her jurisdiction. These programs and activities may include, but are limited to, the following:

(1) Establishment of Interdisciplinary Teams and the development of an IPM policy and program;

(2) Program oversight;

(3) Development of IPM plans for the control of undesirable plants and the incorporation of IPM technology into all appropriate programs, including road maintenance, facilities, contracts, etc.;

(4) Training of personnel in IPM techniques;

(5) Environmental monitoring, e.g., inventory and assessments of undesirable plants, monitoring of impacts of biological and chemical pesticides, etc.;

(6) Coordination and transfer of applied IPM research and technology to field operations;

(7) Identifying research information needs to the National Biological Service through the research needs process;

(8) Coordination and cooperation with other government and non-governmental organizations, e.g., cooperative agreements and shared services;

(9) Participation in Interior Weed Control Committee; and

(10) Participation in the Federal Interagency Committee for the Management of Noxious and Exotic Weeds.

Each bureau shall issue such policy and technical instructions as may be needed to guide the weed control program and related activities in connection with the lands, waters, and other resources under its jurisdiction.

1.5 Department of the Interior Weed Control Committee.

A. Membership and Chairpersons. A DOI Weed Control Committee is hereby authorized and will operate under the policy oversight of the Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks. The Committee will be comprised of one or more primary representatives and alternates from each of the following:

Bureau of Indian Affairs

Bureau of Land Management

Bureau of Reclamation

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

National Biological Service

National Park Service

Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement

Office of Environmental Policy and Compliance

Bureau heads will designate the members and alternates from their respective agencies. The National Biological Service will coordinate the Committee's activities for the Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.

B. Functions and Responsibilities. The DOI Weed Control Committee will:

(1) Keep informed on the general incidence of undesirable plants and their injurious effects on lands, waters, and other resources under the Department's jurisdiction and submit appropriate recommendations or analyses when Departmental action or concerted actions by Departmental bureaus are considered to be needed.

(2) Provide overall guidance for Departmental policies and programs related to IPM for undesirable plants;

(3) Provide guidance for the development and application of integrated pest management technologies;

(4) Provide guidance for the establishment of Interdisciplinary Teams to evaluate and develop IPM alternatives and mitigation measures for bureau programs to control undesirable plants.

(5) Coordinate applicable reports through their program Assistant Secretary.

(6) Keep informed on the programs and activities of similar committees or work groups in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the U.S. Department of Defense, and other Federal government agencies, and collaborate with the USDA Weed Committee in activities of mutual interest and benefit to the DOI and the USDA;

(7) Provide a forum to promote information exchanges, coordination and uniformity in the interpretation and execution of DOI's IPM program to control undesirable plants consistent with national goals for environmental protection and enhancement as well as accomplishment of DOI's missions, goals, and objectives; and

(8) Assist the bureaus in the development and coordination of cooperative agreements between the Department of the Interior and the States having noxious weed control programs. These agreements will emphasize the application of Integrated Pest Management in the control of undesirable plants on lands and waters under the Department's jurisdiction.

C. Reporting. Formal reports and recommendations of the Department of the Interior Weed Control Committee will be submitted through the Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks for information and/or appropriate action by bureau heads or the Secretary of the Interior.

6/26/95 #3042

Replaces 11/13/84 #2604