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U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA)

Under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), EPA has regulatory authority over certification of such compounds, and may place limits on the conditions under which they may be used. In addition, EPA is the lead agency for administration of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), which may require production of an environmental impact assessment document for invasive species control activities. EPA's research activities include evaluation of ecological indicators (including non-native species) for surface waters, the effects of non-native species on wetland restoration, and studies on non-native submerged aquatic vegetation. EPA leads U.S. activities under the North American Agreement for Environmental Cooperation (NAAEC). The EPA engages in international invasive species issues through both its Office of International Affairs (e.g. through the trilateral Commission for Environmental Cooperation), and through the various other offices on a project-by-project basis. When transborder issues are at hand, the EPA Office of Research and Development (ORD) offers expert advice, analysis, and risk assessment of potential invasive species issues. Within ORD, the National Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA) provides the EPA, State Department and other clients with expert advice in international invasive species issues. EPA works extensively with Canada (and the five Great Lakes states) in managing invasive species issues in the Great Lakes. NCEA and ORD primarily play a supporting role of expertise and analysis. International issues arising from ballast water transfer may, in the future, become a part of our scope of work.

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