[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 28 (Monday, February 11, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7757-7758]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-2502]


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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; Extension of Public Comment Period.

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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: [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

[[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 [email protected]. 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]
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