Photo: Giant Cane & Salt Cedar along the Rio Grande in Big Bend National Park. Copyright 2017 Delena Norris-Tull
Federal Agencies with responsibilities related to Invasive Species
Summary prepared by Dr. Delena Norris-Tull, Professor Emerita of Science Education, University of Montana Western, June 2022.
Based on a review of the websites for each of the following Federal Agencies and their various Bureaus, Offices, and Services, I have attempted to compile a list of all those that would have to address issues related to invasive species. Some agencies assess the economic impacts of invasive species. Several agencies assess the economic or environmental impacts of pesticides/herbicides. All agencies have to follow the NEPA (National Environmental Protection Act) regulations related to their operations. And several agencies deal with land reclamation or vegetation maintenance, which includes management of invasive species. The Department of Defense research on satellite technologies has enabled States to implement mapping technologies to track the locations of invasive species. It’s almost impossible to think of a Federal Agency that does not have to pay attention to issues related to invasive species.
For each Agency, I have included links to the Agency website, followed by links to programs run by that Agency, related to management of noxious weeds or invasive plants. Most of these programs provide grants to landowners and researchers.
US Department of Agriculture (USDA) oversees a wide array of Agencies or Services. Many of following address issues related to invasive species or noxious weeds management:
CRP Conservation Practices
US Department of Commerce oversees various Bureaus and Offices that address issues related to invasive species management (including the economic impact of invasive species):
US Department of Defense (DOD):
A search for “invasive species” on the DOD website located a number of relevant activities. The following DOD organizations have to deal with issues related to invasive species:
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
The DOE oversees various Offices. A search for “noxious weeds” or “invasive species” on the DOE website located a number of relevant activities. The following DOE Offices would all have to address issues related to invasive species (particularly in regards to vegetation management and mining and other land reclamation projects):
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):
Formed in 1970, the EPA oversees various Offices. A search for “noxious weeds” and “invasive species” located some relevant information. The following EPA Offices may address issues related to invasive species management (including pesticide/herbicide regulation and monitoring):
US Department of Health & Human Services (HHS):
The mission of HHS “is to enhance the health and well-being of all Americans, by providing for effective health and human services and by fostering sound, sustained advances in the sciences underlying medicine, public health, and social services.” Among many other services, the HHS oversees various social service programs, such as Head Start, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and oversees all Federal Health Insurance programs.
A search for “noxious weeds” or “invasive species” on the HHS website located no relevant programs or activities. The following HHS agencies address invasive species:
US Department of Homeland Security
Coast Guard: A search for “noxious weeds” or “invasive species” on the Coast Guard website located no activities.
US Department of the Interior (DOI)
The DOI oversees many Bureaus and Offices. The following address issues related to invasive species management:
National Seed Strategy: “a public-private collaboration to increase the supply of native seeds for restoration projects to ensure ecosystem resilience and the health and prosperity of future generations.” This website provides links to various reports on the availability of native seed.
Environmental Resources & Reports
Invasive Plant Management Teams
Establishing Native Trees on Legacy Surface Mines
Managing Invasive Exotic Plant Species on Legacy Mine Lands
Safe Harbor Agreements
Cooperative Agriculture
Invasive Plants
U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)
The DOT oversees various Offices. The following Offices address issues related to invasive species management:
Federal Lands Highway
Innovative Program Delivery
Planning, Environment, and Realty
Policy and Governmental Affairs
Research, Development, and Technology
Safety
Railroad Safety
Research and Development
Legislation and Regulations
US Agency for International Development (USAID)
USAID Mission: “On behalf of the American people, we promote and demonstrate democratic values abroad, and advance a free, peaceful, and prosperous world. In support of America's foreign policy, the U.S. Agency for International Development leads the U.S. Government's international development and disaster assistance through partnerships and investments that save lives, reduce poverty, strengthen democratic governance, and help people emerge from humanitarian crises and progress beyond assistance.” A search on the USAID website for “noxious weeds” and “invasive species” located numerous projects.
USAID has Bureaus and projects worldwide. USAID works with numerous reforestation projects. The Bureau for Resilience and Food Security would also deal with issues of invasive species.
References:
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Federal Agencies with responsibilities related to Invasive Species
Summary prepared by Dr. Delena Norris-Tull, Professor Emerita of Science Education, University of Montana Western, June 2022.
Based on a review of the websites for each of the following Federal Agencies and their various Bureaus, Offices, and Services, I have attempted to compile a list of all those that would have to address issues related to invasive species. Some agencies assess the economic impacts of invasive species. Several agencies assess the economic or environmental impacts of pesticides/herbicides. All agencies have to follow the NEPA (National Environmental Protection Act) regulations related to their operations. And several agencies deal with land reclamation or vegetation maintenance, which includes management of invasive species. The Department of Defense research on satellite technologies has enabled States to implement mapping technologies to track the locations of invasive species. It’s almost impossible to think of a Federal Agency that does not have to pay attention to issues related to invasive species.
For each Agency, I have included links to the Agency website, followed by links to programs run by that Agency, related to management of noxious weeds or invasive plants. Most of these programs provide grants to landowners and researchers.
US Department of Agriculture (USDA) oversees a wide array of Agencies or Services. Many of following address issues related to invasive species or noxious weeds management:
- Agricultural Research Service (ARS):
- Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS):
- Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS):
- Economic Research Service
- Farm Service Agency (FSA):
CRP Conservation Practices
- Food Safety and Inspection Service (I found no programs on invasive plants or noxious weeds on the website).
- Forest Service (USFS priorities are incorporated in the report published by Dix & Britton, 2010, A dynamic invasive species research vision: Opportunities and priorities 2009-2029.
- Grain Inspection, Packers, and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA): Following controversial legislation during the Obama Administration, this agency was merged with the Agricultural Marketing Service in 2017.
- National Agricultural Statistics Service (A search for “noxious weeds” on the website located numerous relevant activities).
- National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA): Biological Control Program; Rangelands & Grasslands Program; Weed Science; Ecosystems Programs
- Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
- Risk Management Agency (A search for “noxious weeds” or “invasive species” on the website located no activities)
- Rural Development (A search for “noxious weeds” or “invasive species” on the website located several activities)
US Department of Commerce oversees various Bureaus and Offices that address issues related to invasive species management (including the economic impact of invasive species):
- Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) – I found no services related to noxious weeds or invasive species.
- Economic Development Administration (EDA) – While I found little information related to invasive species, the EDA provides many grants, some of which fund agricultural innovations.
- International Trade Administration (ITA) - I found no mention of programs related to noxious weeds or invasive species, but this agency funds market research and should be interested in agricultural innovations to reduce the damage from invasive species.
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) – This Agency provides research on the impacts of weather phenomena and climate change. A search for “noxious weeds” and “invasive species” located numerous relevant NOAA projects.
US Department of Defense (DOD):
A search for “invasive species” on the DOD website located a number of relevant activities. The following DOD organizations have to deal with issues related to invasive species:
- Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA): DARPA Conducts research on chemicals that have led to the development of pesticides/herbicides. Satellite technologies developed by DARPA have aided States in mapping locations of invasive plants.
- Armed Forces Pest Management Board: This agency is represented on several Federal committees related to invasive species.
- Army Corps of Engineers: This agency is represented on several Federal committees related to invasive species.
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
The DOE oversees various Offices. A search for “noxious weeds” or “invasive species” on the DOE website located a number of relevant activities. The following DOE Offices would all have to address issues related to invasive species (particularly in regards to vegetation management and mining and other land reclamation projects):
- Office of Environmental Management
- Office of Fossil Energy & Carbon Management
- Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs
- Office of Nuclear Energy
- Office of Science
- Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy
- Office of Electricity
- Office of Environment, Health, Safety, & Security
- Office of Energy Efficiency & Environmental Stewardship
- Office of Environment, Health, Safety, & Security (EHSS)
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):
Formed in 1970, the EPA oversees various Offices. A search for “noxious weeds” and “invasive species” located some relevant information. The following EPA Offices may address issues related to invasive species management (including pesticide/herbicide regulation and monitoring):
- Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention
- Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance
- Office of Information Management
- Office of International and Tribal Affairs: American Indian Environmental Office
- Office of Land and Emergency Management
- Office of Research and Development
- Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery
- Office of Water
US Department of Health & Human Services (HHS):
The mission of HHS “is to enhance the health and well-being of all Americans, by providing for effective health and human services and by fostering sound, sustained advances in the sciences underlying medicine, public health, and social services.” Among many other services, the HHS oversees various social service programs, such as Head Start, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and oversees all Federal Health Insurance programs.
A search for “noxious weeds” or “invasive species” on the HHS website located no relevant programs or activities. The following HHS agencies address invasive species:
- Food & Drug Administration. The FDA is responsible for regulating and monitoring the safety of agricultural products. A search for “noxious weeds” on the FDA website located some relevant information.
- Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, which manages the National Disaster Medical System. But a search for “noxious weeds” or “invasive species” on the ASPR website located no activities.
US Department of Homeland Security
Coast Guard: A search for “noxious weeds” or “invasive species” on the Coast Guard website located no activities.
US Department of the Interior (DOI)
The DOI oversees many Bureaus and Offices. The following address issues related to invasive species management:
- Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
- Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
National Seed Strategy: “a public-private collaboration to increase the supply of native seeds for restoration projects to ensure ecosystem resilience and the health and prosperity of future generations.” This website provides links to various reports on the availability of native seed.
- Bureau of Reclamation:
Environmental Resources & Reports
- Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement:
- National Park Service (NPS)
Invasive Plant Management Teams
- Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement:
Establishing Native Trees on Legacy Surface Mines
Managing Invasive Exotic Plant Species on Legacy Mine Lands
- US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS):
Safe Harbor Agreements
Cooperative Agriculture
- US Geological Survey (USGS)
Invasive Plants
U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)
The DOT oversees various Offices. The following Offices address issues related to invasive species management:
- Federal Highway Administration (FHWA): A search for “invasive species” on their website located one piece of information that has not been updated since 2000, but they would be responsible for ensuring that highway right-of-ways are free of invasive plants that could cause a safety hazard.
Federal Lands Highway
Innovative Program Delivery
Planning, Environment, and Realty
Policy and Governmental Affairs
Research, Development, and Technology
Safety
- Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is responsible for managing noxious weeds along the railroad right-of-ways. I found no services related to noxious weeds or invasive species on the FRA website.
Railroad Safety
Research and Development
Legislation and Regulations
- Federal Transit Administration: I found no services related to noxious weeds or invasive species on the FTA website.
- Maritime Administration (MARAD): I found no services related to noxious weeds or invasive species on the MARAD website, but they would be responsible for enforcing Federal regulations related to the release of ballast water.
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA): I found no services related to noxious weeds or invasive species on the NHSTA website, but they would be responsible for ensuring that highway right-of-ways are free of invasive plants that could cause a safety hazard.
US Agency for International Development (USAID)
USAID Mission: “On behalf of the American people, we promote and demonstrate democratic values abroad, and advance a free, peaceful, and prosperous world. In support of America's foreign policy, the U.S. Agency for International Development leads the U.S. Government's international development and disaster assistance through partnerships and investments that save lives, reduce poverty, strengthen democratic governance, and help people emerge from humanitarian crises and progress beyond assistance.” A search on the USAID website for “noxious weeds” and “invasive species” located numerous projects.
USAID has Bureaus and projects worldwide. USAID works with numerous reforestation projects. The Bureau for Resilience and Food Security would also deal with issues of invasive species.
References:
- Rees, N.E., Quimby, Jr., P.C., Piper, G.L., Coombs, E.M, Turner, C.E., Spencer, N.R., & Knutson, L.V. (Eds.) (1996). Biological Control of Weeds in the West. Western Society of Weed Science.
- Sheley, R.L., James, J.J., Rinella, M. J., Blumenthal, D., & DiTomaso, J.M. (2011). Invasive plant management on anticipated conservation benefits: A scientific assessment. In D.D. Briske (Ed.) Conservation benefits of rangeland practices: Assessment, recommendation, and knowledge gaps. (pp. 293-336). USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.
Next Sections on Federal Agencies:
- History of Coordination with States
- Challenges of Coordination between Federal Agencies
- Collaboration or Confusion
Related Sections: