[Federal Register: November 30, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 229)] [Notices] [Page 66926] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr30no99-108] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Office of the Secretary Invasive Species Advisory Committee ACTION: Establishment. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: Pursuant to Executive Order 13112, and acting as administrative lead on behalf of the new interdepartmental Invasive Species Council (Council), the Secretary of the Interior is establishing the Invasive Species Advisory Committee (ISAC). This notice is published in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92-463). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gordon Brown, Invasive Species Council, telephone (202) 208-6336; fax (202) 219-0229; e-mail a__gordon__brown@ios.doi.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Invasive species are transforming America's lands and waters. Foreign animal and plant species are replacing native wildlife and wreaking enormous financial and ecological damage. Invasive species are second only to habitat destruction in causing species to be endangered, and estimates of economic harm from these biological invaders run as high as $123 billion annually. Among other things, invasive species crowd out nutritious native forage, create fire hazards, limit recreation, clog lakes and waterways, undermine fisheries, and corrupt water pipes. Invasive species causing harm include weeds like yellow starthistle and leafy spurge, which cattle cannot eat; purple loosestrife, which chokes wetlands; miconia, which may destroy the Hawaiian rainforest; and melaleuca trees now expanding across the Everglades. Animals are also problems, such as the zebra mussel, corrupting water supply facilities; the brown tree snake, which has extirpated forest birds on Guam; and the Asian tiger mosquito, which has spread avian malaria to wild birds and other diseases to both humans and other animals. Purpose and Objective To advise the Council as authorized by Executive Order 13112 on a broad array of issues related to preventing the introduction of invasive species and providing for their control and minimizing the economic, ecological, and human health impacts that invasive species cause. The Council is co-chaired by the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Agriculture, and the Secretary of Commerce. The ISAC will maintain an intensive and regular dialogue with stakeholders and existing organizations to actively explore these issues and will draw on the expertise of its members and other sources to provide advice. The ISAC will meet up to four times per year. Balanced Membership Plans The Committee consists of up to 25 United States citizens. Members of the ISAC will be appointed by the Secretary of the Interior in consultation with the other members of the Council. Members will be selected based on specific needs of the Council in order to balance viewpoints, institutions, geographic diversity, and the advisory functions required to effectively address invasive species science and management. These factors are important and weight is given to geographical distribution, gender, minority status, and institution. No member may serve on the ISAC for more than three consecutive terms of 2 years. Reappointment terms will be staggered within stakeholder groups (2 or 3 years) to avoid turnover. Responsible DOI Officials Gordon Brown, Invasive Species Council, Department of the Interior, 1849 C. St., NW, Room 6635, Washington, DC 20240. Dated: November 19, 1999. Bruce Babbitt, Secretary of the Interior. [FR Doc. 99-30974 Filed 11-29-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-RK-P