FACACLASSIC

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DOI - 6 - Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force - Statutory (Congress Created)

GENERAL INFORMATION

Committee Name	Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force	Agency Name	Department of the Interior
Fiscal Year	2025	Committee Number	6
Original Establishment Date	11/29/1990	Committee Status	Chartered
Actual Termination Date		Committee URL	https://www.fws.gov/program/aquatic-nuisance-sp...
Actual Merged Date		Presidential Appointments*	No
New Committee This FY	No	Max Number of Members*	Unlimited
Terminated This FY	No	Designated Fed Officer Position Title*	Executive Secretary, Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force
Merged This FY		Designated Federal Officer Prefix
Current Charter Date	3/28/2024	Designated Federal Officer First Name*	Susan
Date Of Renewal Charter	3/28/2026	Designated Federal Officer Middle Name
Projected Termination Date		Designated Federal Officer Last Name*	Pasko
Exempt From Renewal*	No	Designated Federal Officer Suffix
Specific Termination Authority		Designated Federal Officer Phone*	571-623-0608
Establishment Authority*	Statutory (Congress Created)	Designated Federal Officer Fax*	(703) 358-2269
Specific Establishment Authority*	16 U.S.C. 4701 et. seq.	Designated Federal Officer Email*	susan_pasko@fws.gov
Effective Date Of Authority*	11/29/1990
Exempt From EO 13875 Discretionary Cmte	Not Applicable
Committee Type*	Continuing
Presidential*	No
Committee Function*	Scientific Technical Program Advisory Board

RECOMMENDATION/JUSTIFICATIONS

Agency Recommendation*	Continue
Legislation to Terminate Required	Not Applicable
Legislation Status	Not Applicable
How does cmte accomplish its purpose?*	The Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) Task Force is the only federally mandated intergovernmental organization solely dedicated to preventing and controlling ANS (also known as aquatic invasive species, or AIS). The ANS Task Force strives to create opportunities and synergies among members and participants by sharing resources, expertise, and ideas across agency and organizational lines. Consistent with its authorizing legislation (the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990, or NANPCA), the ANS Task Force Federal and ex-officio members develop recommendations and products (e.g., management plans and practices, guidance documents, outreach materials) to prevent and manage AIS for use by Federal, State, and Tribal agencies with AIS responsibilities. The ANS Task Force also manages national public awareness campaigns (Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers! and Habitattitude) that are implemented though partnerships at the National, State, and local levels. The ANSTF assists in the development and implementation of State or interstate ANS management plans (47 plans have been approved through FY 2025) and species-specific management/control plans (10 have been approved through FY 2025) These plans identify activities needed to eliminate or reduce the environmental, public health, and safety risks associated with ANS by focusing on feasible, cost-effective management practices and measures that can be undertaken by state agencies, local programs, cooperating federal agencies, and others. The ANS Task Force works in conjunction with six regional ANS panels and issue-specific committees to foster collaboration among states to address regional aquatic nuisance species threats and ongoing invasions.
How is membership balanced?*	The ANS Task Force continues to have a balanced membership with 13 Federal members and 12 ex-officio members that represent non-Federal entities. Task Force membership reflects a spectrum of interests impacted by or involved in responding to aquatic invasive species. These interests include fish, wildlife, and other natural resource protection; management and development; environmental protection; agriculture; aquaculture; shipping; recreation; electric power; water supply; and Great Lakes and other regional interests.
How frequent & relevant are cmte mtgs?*	The ANS Task Force typically holds meetings two times per year. Meeting agendas for the ANS Task Force are constructed to address priority and/or emerging issues with the intent of informing the ANS Task Force members and allowing them to determine if action is warranted. Consideration is also given to recommendations from its members, regional panels, invited guests, and the public. ANS Task Force decisions are generally reached by consensus and are made at the public meetings, or, when necessary, through publicly announced webinars. In FY 2025, the ANS Task Force held a meeting in November 2024 (in-person with a virtual option) and another is planned for May 2025.
Why advice can't be obtained elsewhere?*	ANS (also known as aquatic invasive species, or AIS) issues are significant in their breadth and scope, as this area involves all taxa of life and threatens natural ecosystems and create economic burdens across the Nation. A variety of pathways can transport non-native species into the United States, including ballast water and hulls of ships, organisms in trade, imported goods and materials, and the international movement of people. Multiple efforts are necessary to encompass the various components of ANS management, including prevention, monitoring, removal, research, and education. Without the ANS Task Force, there would not be a mechanism to coordinate Federal ANS government efforts or facilitate cooperation with State, Tribal, and local agencies; the private sector; and other National interests. As a result, efforts to manage ANS would be performed in isolation and be significantly weakened, resulting in duplication of efforts, a halt to the exchange of ideas and leveraging of resources, and less effective interaction between the Federal Government and States on issues related to ANS. The management and prevention of ANS in the United States would face significant challenges, resulting in a variety of negative ecological, economic, and social consequences at National, State, Tribal, and local levels.
Why close or partially close meetings?	All meetings and webinars are open to the public.
Recommendation Remarks	Federal members and ex-officio members of the ANS Task Force who are statutorily designated (the Great Lakes Commission, the Lake Champlain Basin Program, the Chesapeake Bay Program, and the San Francisco Bay Estuary Program) do not have a fixed term of service other than the dates of the charter. Ex-officio members who are not statutorily designated are appointed for 2-year terms. In accordance with 16 U.S.C. 4721(b)(1) to (6) and the ANS Task Force charter, each Federal agency appoints its own representatives to the ANS Task Force. The co-chairs (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) may invite State agencies and other governmental entities to recommend individuals to serve as ex-officio members. Note: In the section listing committee members, Federal and ex-officio members who are statutorily mandated (and thus have no fixed term of appointment) have been given an "Appointment End Date" that matches the "Expected Renewal Date" for the charter. The appointment dates for ex-officio members who hold 2-year terms initially reflect their first term; once they go beyond their first term, the appointment dates reflect their total time as part of the ANS Task Force.

PERFORMANCE MEASURES

Outcome Improvement To Health Or Safety*	No	Action Reorganize Priorities*	No
Outcome Trust In Government	No	Action Reallocate Resources	Yes
Outcome Major Policy Changes	No	Action Issued New Regulations	No
Outcome Advance In Scientific Research	Yes	Action Proposed Legislation	No
Outcome Effective Grant Making	No	Action Approved Grants Or Other Payments	Yes
Outcome Improved Service Delivery	Yes	Action Other	No
Outcome Increased Customer Satisfaction	Yes	Action Comment	The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's program priorities, resource allocations, grant approval, and regulatory efforts have been directly influenced by the Task Force's recommendations. Projects in the field are focused on implementing ANS Task Force recommendations. In FY 2024, funding was provided to support implementation of 45 approved state/interstate ANS management plans. A Notice of Funding Opportunity for these management plans is planned for 2025.
Outcome Implement Laws/Reg Requirements	Yes	Grants Review*	No
Outcome Other	No	Number Of Grants Reviewed
Outcome Comment	Under the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act, the ANS Task Force is the only multimember organization legislatively mandated to coordinate ANS (also known as aquatic invasive species, or AIS) activities on a national scale. A primary role of the ANS Task Force is to support the development and implementation of State/interstate ANS management plans and 10 species management and control plans, including the Zebra Quagga Action Plan for Western Waters.	Number Of Grants Recommended
Cost Savings*	Unable to Determine	Dollar Value Of Grants Recommended
Cost Savings Comment	The coordinating mechanism provided by the ANS Task Force has helped create efficiencies and avoid duplicative efforts and their associated costs. Estimating the avoided costs of unperformed activities is not feasible.	Grants Review Comment
Number Of Recommendations*	172	Access Contact Designated Fed. Officer*	Yes
Number Of Recommendations Comment	In November 2024, the ANS Task Force made two recommendations: 1) The ANS Task Force recommended approval of the Delaware State ANS Management Plan 2) The ANS Task Force recommended that draft New Zealand MudSnail Management Plan to be posted in the Federal Register for public comment In July 2025, the ANS Task Force made three recommendations: 1. The ANS Task Force recommended approval of the Rapid Response Plan Template. 2. The ANS Task Force recommended archival of the Ruffe Control Plan. 3. The ANS Task Force recommended approval of the Guidance for Aquatic Nuisance Species Control and Management Plans.	Access Agency Website	Yes
% of Recs Fully Implemented*	98.00%	Access Committee Website	Yes
% of Recs Fully Implemented Comment	While not every operational aspect of the approved plans and protocols have been implemented due to resource constraints, these are all ongoing activities that relate to the plans' implementation. Funding has been provided to support ANS Task Force-approved State/interstate ANS Management Plans and to support select ANS Task Force-approved species management and control plans. Subcommittees meet virtually on a regular basis to implement annual work plans that advance the priority goals and actions within the ANS Task Force Strategic Plan.	Access GSA FACA Website	Yes
% of Recs Partially Implemented*	2.00%	Access Publications	Yes
% of Recs Partially Implemented Comment	Some efforts to address recommendations are in progress, but not yet completed, including enhancement of the invasive species experts database and development of online national resource similar for communicating watercraft inspection and decontamination requirements, procedures, and state program contacts.	Access Other	No
Agency Feedback*	Yes	Access Comment	N/A
Agency Feedback Comment*	Feedback is provided through the semi-annual ANSTF meetings (or webinars), as well as via frequent telephone and email communications from the DFO to the members between meetings. The DFO also maintains a committee website and listserve.	Narrative Description*	Consistent with the requirements of the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990 (NANCPA), the ANS Task Force helps the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service support and fulfill its mission by focusing on aquatic invasive species (AIS) issues through coordination with many other affected entities at the Federal, regional, State, Tribal, and local levels. The ANS Task Force helps the Service to develop, approve, and implement the overall AIS Program as well as its projects and activities. The ANS Task Force is a focal point for information about AIS activities to prevent their introduction into and spread within the United States, and efforts to control them. It encourages and facilitates cooperative efforts to address nationally significant AIS problems and concerns.

COSTS

1. Payments to Non-Federal Members*		1. Est Paymnts to Non-Fed Membrs Nxt FY*
2. Payments to Federal Members*		2. Est. Payments to Fed Members Next FY*
3. Payments to Federal Staff*		3. Estimated Payments to Federal Staff*
4. Payments to Consultants*		4. Est. Payments to Consultants Next FY*
5. Travel Reimb. For Non-Federal Membrs*		5. Est Travel Reimb Non-Fed Membr nxtFY*
6. Travel Reimb. For Federal Members*		6. Est Travel Reimb For Fed Members*
7. Travel Reimb. For Federal Staff*		7. Est. Travel Reimb to Fed Staf Nxt FY*
8. Travel Reimb. For Consultants*		8. Est Travel Reimb to Consltnts Nxt FY*
10. Other Costs		10. Est. Other Costs Next FY*
11. Total Costs	$0.00	11. Est. Total Next FY*	$0.00
Date Cost Last Modified	2/19/2025 10:47 AM	Est. Fed Staff Support Next FY*
Federal Staff Support (FTE)*		Est Cost Remarks
Cost Remarks

Interest Areas

Category Area Agriculture Agriculture Animals Fish and Wildlife Basic Science Biology Environment Environmental Issues Oceans and Atmospheric Sciences Transportation Boating and Navigation Water Rivers Water Use Waterways

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