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Washington Invasive Species Council
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A special thank you to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for its sponsorship of the invasive species workdays.
Washington Invasive Species Council extends thanks and congratulations to the 160 participants. Your shared expertise resulted in specific direction and prioritization of actions to implement the top five |
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recommendations of the statewide strategic plan to minimize the adverse effects of invasive species. A summary report is included in the Washington Invasive Species Council 2008 Annual Report.
Noon keynote presentations from our Workdays (in Adobe Acrobat format)
Photographs from our Workdays
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Invasive Species Council Releases Strategic Plan
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Washington possesses great natural beauty and biological diversity – both important sources of economic strength. However, the state’s native species are threatened by invading plants and animals. As more people travel and inadvertently bring home non-native species and as more native habitats are wiped out by development to accommodate the state’s growing population, invasions are increasing.
Invasive Species Are Everyone’s Problem
Invasive species exact a high price from both society and nature.
- Loss of biodiversity
- The state’s 2003 Natural Heritage Plan identifies non-native species as a principal risk to the natural heritage in seven of Washington’s nine eco-regions.
- The 2007 Washington State Noxious Weed List includes more than 130 invasive plant species.
- Invasive species cause economic damage, including the loss of marketable goods and services and the costs of controlling species infestations.
- Reduced agricultural productivity
- Increased frequency and intensity of wildfires; livestock poisoning; altered hydrology of streams, rivers, lakes, and wetlands; soil destabilization; altered genetic makeup of native species; and disease outbreaks.
About the Washington Invasive Species Council
The council, established by the Legislature in 2006 (see Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5385), is working to facilitate a coordinated and strategic approach to prevent, detect, and respond to invasive species. The council is developing a statewide strategic plan (due to the Legislature in June 2008) for preventing and controlling invasive species as defined below:
…invasive species include non-native organisms that cause economic or environmental harm and are capable of spreading to new areas of the state. Invasive species does not include domestic livestock, intentionally planted agronomic crops, or non-harmful exotic organisms.
Revised Code of Washington 79A.25.310
Council Work Groups
The Washington Invasive Species Council has formed five work groups to focus on major themes of the strategic plan. Group members include council members and representatives of environmental, academic, and industry organizations.
Each work group has a particular area of focus in which to research, develop goals, highlight successes, and make recommendations during the development of the council’s strategic plan.
(Click on a work group to get more information)
Coordination
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Provide statewide coordination and regional collaboration.
- Identify successful coordination efforts.
- Analyze gaps, overlaps, and barriers that limit coordination.
Members
Gene Little, Work Group Lead, Washington Noxious Weed Control Board
Joan Cabreza, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Allen Pleus, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
Pat Stevenson, Stillaguamish Tribe
Special thanks to Nancy Phelps, U.S. Forest Service, for her assistance on this work group.
Process and Reporting
- Will conduct a set of interviews to identify gaps and obstacles to current invasive species programs and projects.
Deadlines
January 14, 2008 • First draft of the work group report due.
February 29, 2008 • Second draft of work group report due.
April 30, 2008 • Final Draft of work group report due.
June 6, 2008 • Statewide strategic plan due to the Legislature.
Education
- Will work to ensure a coordinated, consistent outreach campaign is developed and enhanced.
- Will ensure effectiveness of educational materials and strive to identify educational gaps and needs.
Members
Dana Coggon, Work Group Lead, Kitsap County
Jeff Adams, Washington Sea Grant
Eric Anderson, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
Jennifer Andreas, Washington State University
Laurel Baldwin, Whatcom Noxious Weed Control Program
Kate Benkert, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Alison Halpern, Washington Noxious Weed Control Board
Todd Murray, Washington State University
Ray Willard, Washington Department of Transportation
Richard S. Zack, Washington State University
Doug Zimmer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Process and Reporting
- Will work to develop a public outreach campaign, information hub Web site, and first-responders network.
- Will identify potential overlaps, coordinators, and education efforts underway.
- Will review a potential framework to share this information on the council Web site.
Deadlines
January 14, 2008 • First draft of the work group report due.
February 29, 2008 • Second draft of work group report due.
April 30, 2008 • Final Draft of work group report due.
June 6, 2008 • Statewide strategic plan due to the Legislature.
Funding
- Analyze current funding mechanisms, distribution, and sources.
- Recommend enhancements and create a coordinated funding approach for the council.
Members
Wendy Brown, Work Group Lead, Washington Department of Natural Resources
Bill Brookreson, Washington Native Plant Society
Dana Coggon, Kitsap County
Deborah Feinstein, Office of Financial Management
Bill Robinson, The Nature Conservancy
Special thanks to Dave Baumgartner, Washington State University, for his assistance on this work group.
Process and Reporting
- Will review a draft report titled, State Noxious Weed Funding.
- Conduct further research about public agency funding for both aquatic and terrestrial invasive species.
Deadlines
January 14, 2008 • First draft of the work group report due.
February 29, 2008 • Second draft of work group report due.
April 30, 2008 • Final Draft of work group report due.
June 6, 2008 • Statewide strategic plan due to the Legislature.
Legal and Regulations
- Recommend legislation and adjustments to existing statutes in Washington State so that existing entities can be enhanced and enabled.
- Propose strategy to address gaps, overlaps, and barriers.
Members
Melodie Selby, Work Group Lead, Washington Department of Ecology
Eric Anderson, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
Diane Cooper, Taylor Shellfish
Kathy Hamel, Washington Department of Ecology
Bob Koch, Franklin County
Jeanne McNeil, Washington State Nursery and Landscape Association
Bridget Moran, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
Process and Reporting
- Will receive input from other work groups to enhance its review of regulatory and legal issues.Will analyze and conduct independent reviews by inviting individuals and experts to the work group to explain statutes and other pertinent information.
- Will develop conceptual proposals and detailed proposals based on council and public input.
Deadlines
January 14, 2008 • First draft of the work group report due.
February 29, 2008 • Second draft of work group report due.
April 30, 2008 • Final Draft of work group report due.
June 6, 2008 • Statewide strategic plan due to the Legislature.
Technical
- Identify strengths and weaknesses of early detection and rapid response capabilities and current control mechanisms and make recommendations.
- Review and analyze risk assessments and recommend improved processes for containment, control, and eradication.
Members
Mary Toohey, Work Group Lead, Washington Department of Agriculture
Wendy Brown, Washington Department of Natural Resources
Barbara Chambers, U.S. Department of Agriculture
Herb Curl, Washington Invasive Species Coalition and Audubon scientist
Kathy Hamel, Washington Department of Ecology and Washington Noxious Weed Control Board
Randy Marshall, Aquatic Nuisance Species Coordinating Committee
Brid Nowlan, Washington Invasive Species Coalition
Dr. Brad White, Washington Department of Agriculture
Jennifer Vanderhoof, King County Department of Natural Resources
Process and Reporting
- Will funnel information and research conducted to other work groups for further review and legislative development.
Deadlines
January 14, 2008 • First draft of the work group report due.
February 29, 2008 • Second draft of work group report due.
April 30, 2008 • Final Draft of work group report due.
June 6, 2008 • Statewide strategic plan due to the Legislature.
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