Resolution on the Reduction of Invasive Species Exposed

The Resolution on the Reduction of Invasive Species was considered by ALEC's Energy, Environment and Agriculture Task Force at the 2011 States and Nation Policy Summit on December 2, 2011. This bill was part of the ALEC task force agenda between 2010 and 2012, but due to incomplete information, it is not known if the bill passed in a vote by legislators and lobbyists at ALEC task force meetings, if ALEC sought to distance itself from the bill as the public increased scrutiny of its pay-to-play activities, or if key operative language from the bill has been introduced by an ALEC legislator in a state legislature in the ensuing period or became binding law.

ALEC Draft Bill Text

WHEREAS, The conservation of the nation’s natural resources negatively impacting economic and land assets should be enhanced by efficient management of invasive species thus curtailing the associated harm, and

WHEREAS, Through state and federal leadership, ALEC supports legislation and appropriations that improves private, local, state, and federal land managers’ capabilities with on-the-ground control tools. Critical is the development of effective state invasive species laws patterned on existing programs demonstrating success, and

WHEREAS, Invasive Species are responsible for loss of wildlife and fish by causing impaired ecosystem health and diversity, and

WHEREAS, Invasive Species have harmful effects on endangered species, and

WHEREAS, Invasive Species cause soil erosion with diminished water quality and quantity, and

WHEREAS, Invasive Species reduce land values, recreational opportunities and tax

revenues while increasing wildfires, flood events and energy disruption, and

WHEREAS, Lack of control of Invasive Species create loss of commerce opportunities due to excessive Federal regulation, reduced agricultural yield and quality of forage and crop production, reduced livestock health with increased mortality and cost, and declining public health from pest outbreaks and disease transmission. Both agricultural producers as well as consumers see increased costs.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the American Legislative Exchange Council supports the following action:

Section 1.

Over five years, Federal land management agencies shall increase their on-the-ground control obligation by five-fold and decrease current infested acres by 25 percent. Critical to this process improvement will be the need to streamline the NEPA process.

Section 2.

Federal agencies shall provide a state pass through fund assessed at 25 cents on each state’s federally managed acre. A State entity shall submit a request for this critical pool of money based upon a consistent set of criteria with a measurable control strategy to reduce current infestation levels or stop new invasions on any land in the state. Federal funds may be passed to the Governor annually. At least fifty percent of the funds shall be utilized for on-the-ground control efforts for taxa prioritized by the state. Money may be appropriated directly to state IS programs to maximize impact and avoid costly overhead.

Section 3.

Each state should develop and implement an invasive species plan, with control tactics, and law to receive and manage invasive species funding. Critical to success will be the implementation of EDRR, Control & Management efforts on new and existing pest populations. Additionally, focused control efforts on water and highway corridors that are primary conduits of spread should be funded.

Section 4.

States are encouraged to work in regional and national concert to educate the public through television and social media methods, particularly in metro areas. To reduce redundancy, all natural resource management agencies, state/local governments, universities, nonprofit organizations, industry, and the private sector should collaborate to form partnerships to protect land and water assets and natural resources.