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Invasive Species: Federal Efforts and State Perspectives on Challenges and National Leadership

GAO-03-916T Published: Jun 17, 2003. Publicly Released: Jun 17, 2003.
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Highlights

Invasive species--nonnative plants and animals--have caused billions of dollars in damage to natural areas, businesses, and consumers. In 2001, the federal government issued a National Management Plan to coordinate a national control effort involving the 20 or so federal agencies that are responsible for managing invasive species. In October 2002, GAO reported on the implementation of the management plan and efforts to manage ballast water, among other things. This testimony discusses some of GAO's findings and recommendations in that report. It also presents the results of a subsequent GAO survey of state officials responsible for managing terrestrial and aquatic invasive species. This survey sought state perspectives on (1) the perceived gaps in existing legislation and barriers to addressing terrestrial and aquatic invasive species and (2) the federal leadership structure for addressing invasive species, as well as the integration of federal legislation on terrestrial invasive species with legislation on aquatic invasives.

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AnimalsBallast waterEnvironmental lawEnvironmental monitoringEnvironmental policiesInvasive speciesPlants (organisms)Program evaluationSurveysWatercraft