On February 3, 1999, President Clinton signed an Executive Order creating a federal, multi-agency Invasive Species Council. The Council will address the growing environmental and economic threat of invasive species, plants and animals that are not native to ecosystems of the United States. In 18 months, the Council will submit a National Invasive Species Management Plan.

How this will affect the feral populations of Monk Parakeets remains to be seen. However, Bruce Babbitt, Secretary of the Department of the Interior, emphasized in his speech that this is not a plan to eradicate all non-native species, only those that pose the greatest economic and environmental threat.

The text of the Executive Order is on this page, as are links to more information. More information will be published as it becomes available.

WASHINGTON — Federal officials announced a coordinated effort to deal with the rapidly growing environmental and economic threat posed by invasive plants and animals nonnative to the ecosystems of the United States.

Many scientists believe the spread of invasive exotic species is one of the most serious, yet underappreciated, threats to biodiversity. Invasive animal species cause damage of U.S. $123 billion each year to crops and rangeland and have caused other problems, such as the clogging of utility and water pipes by zebra mussels in the Great Lakes region.

• News Conference Press Release
  
  
• United States Government Officials Announce Plans
  for Combating Invasive Species
  
  
• ABC News Online Article

The Executive Order (EO) directs Federal agencies to use their authorities to prevent the introduction of invasive species, to control, monitor and to restore native species. The EO establishes a Federal interagency Invasive Species Council (Council), co-chaired by the Secretaries of the Interior, Agriculture, and Commerce and includes State, Treasury, Defense, Transportation and the Environmental Protection Agency. The Council will be directed to create an invasive species management plan. The Secretary of the Interior will establish an advisory committee to provide information and advice for consideration by the Council including recommended plans and actions at the local, state, regional and ecosystem-based levels to achieve the goals of the Management Plan. The Council will act in cooperation with states, tribes, scientific, agricultural organizations, conservation groups and other stakeholders.

The Council has seven duties: (1) overseeing implementation of the EO; (2) supporting field-level planning; (3) identifying international recommendations; (4) creating National Environmental Policy Act guidance; (5) establishing an impact monitoring network; (6) developing a web-based information network; (7) preparing a National Invasive Species Management Plan.

The Management Plan is due within 18 months after the EO is issued and will be prepared in consultation with various stakeholders at the state and local levels. The purpose of the EO is to ensure coordination between the Federal agencies and strengthen the ability to partner with the states and other organizations. The Management Plan will include detailed goals, objectives and measures of success and will identify needed personnel and other resources. The Management Plan will be updated every two years with an accompanying public report on success in implementation. The first edition of the Management Plan will review relevant existing programs and authorities, recommended needed measures, and identify legislative needs.