What is the National Invasive Species Council?

National Invasive Species Information Center --> Home
National Invasive Species Council --> What is the National Invasive Species Council?

 

The National Invasive Species Council (Council) is an inter-Departmental council that helps to coordinate and ensure complementary, cost-efficient and effective Federal activities regarding invasive species. The Council was established February 3, 1999 by Executive Order 13112.

Council members include three co-chairs: the secretaries of the Agriculture, Commerce, Interior, and the secretaries of State, Defense, Homeland Security, Treasury, Transportation, Health and Human Services, as well as the Administrators of the Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Agency for International Development, the U.S Trade Representative, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

Council staff helps to support all Council activities. The staff includes an Executive Director, an Assistant Director for International Policy, Science, and Cooperation and an Assistant Director for National Policy and Programs. The co-chair Departments, Agriculture, Commerce and Interior, also have liaisons to the Council staff.

In January 2001, the Council released the National Invasive Species Management Plan (Plan). The Council is now moving forward to set up Task Teams and Subcommittees to implement the action items of the Plan.

The Council actively works with the Invasive Species Advisory Committee (ISAC). The ISAC was established to advise the federal government on the issue of invasive species and to act as representatives of the many stakeholders. The ISAC members serve two-year terms. For more information on the creation of the Council, please refer to background on the Council.

[Back to Top]