[Federal Register: February 11, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 28)]
[Notices]
[Page 7757-7758]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr11fe08-83]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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; Extension of Public Comment Period.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Pursuant to Executive Order 13112, the National Invasive
Species Council (NISC) is announcing a 30-day extension of the public
comment period for the draft of the 2008-2012 National Invasive Species
Management Plan. 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 http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov.
DATES: The public comment period for the draft Plan has been extended.
All comments must now be received by close of business on March 12,
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
[[Page 7758]]
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 http://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. The public comment
period for the draft Plan has been extended. Comments must now be
received by close of business on March 12, 2008.
Dated: February 6, 2008.
Lori C. Williams,
Executive Director.
[FR Doc. E8-2502 Filed 2-8-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-RK-P