[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 248 (Friday, December 28, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Page 73875]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-25262]


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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.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to Executive Order 13112, the National Invasive 
Species Council (NISC) is announcing the availability of the draft of 
the 2008-2012 National Invasive Species Management Plan for a 45-day 
public comment period. 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 
www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov.

DATES: All comments must be received by close of business on February 
11, 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: [email protected]; 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 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 
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 
[email protected]. In order to be considered, comments must 
be received by close of business on February 11, 2008.

    Dated: December 20, 2007.
Lori C. Williams,
Executive Director.
[FR Doc. E7-25262 Filed 12-27-07; 8:45 am]
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