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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (DHS)

The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Homeland Security Advanced Research Projects Agency (HSARPA) within DHS have multiple responsibilities that involve invasive species. USCG works with other agencies to develop and enforce international fisheries and maritime agreements, including those concerning ballast water management. FEMA within Emergency Support Function (ESF #11) works with other federal agencies to control and eradicate outbreaks of animal/zoonotic disease, exotic plant pests, or invasive plant pest infestations. FEMA also contributes to the protection of natural and cultural resources. HSARPA supports research to advance the miniaturization of biological and chemical sensors capable of detecting hazardous biological such as disease agents. CBP works with APHIS and U.S. FWS to enforce laws prohibiting or limiting the entry of invasive species. In addition, CBP supports the removal of invasive plants that interfere with border area surveillance. The CBP is responsible for inspections at ports of entry for agricultural products by DHS ordinance. CBP Agriculture Specialists, following Agriculture regulations and policies provided by USDA, conduct these inspections. Conveyances, cargo and passenger baggage are inspected to determine if they present an invasive species pathway. CBP personnel determine the enterability of plant and animal materials to prevent the introduction of invasive species.

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