Bureau and Office Invasive Species Overview

DOI is the largest land and water manager in the United States; accordingly invasive species management is included in most Bureau and Office responsibilities and missions. Within DOI, the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation), Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), National Park Service (NPS), Office of Insular Affairs (OIA), Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE), Office of Wildland Fire (OWF), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) lead various efforts to prevent, eradicate, and control invasive species. For cross-cutting invasive species issues, the Office of Policy Analysis coordinates through its DOI Invasive Species Task Force—a leadership body composed of Bureau and Office representatives—to be as strategic and effective as possible.

Each DOI Bureau and Office addresses invasive species within its authorities and mandates. Summaries of these activities and programs are described below.

Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)

Mission: To enhance the quality of life, to promote economic opportunity, and to carry out the responsibility to protect and improve the trust assets of American Indians, Indian tribes, and Alaska Natives.

Overview: BIA works with the 574 federally recognized Indian Tribes and Alaska Native entities to identify and manage the threats to American Indian and Alaska Native lands, resources, and off-reservation interests presented by invasive species. Tribes receive financial and technical support to implement targeted control projects and to participate in local, state, and regional collaborative management and restoration efforts.

Links: https://www.bia.gov  

Points of Contact: 

David Wooten, Chief, Branch of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Recreation

Albuquerque, NM

505-563-3128

Bureau of Land Management (BLM)

Mission: To sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the multiple use and enjoyment of present and future generations.

Overview: BLM helps to rapidly control and manage invasive plants and other invasive taxa across more than 245 million acres of publicly managed BLM land and waters primarily in the western United States, including Alaska. One of BLM's highest priorities is to promote ecosystem health. BLM also manages its lands to provide for energy and resource development in a way that minimizes the introduction and spread of invasive species.

Links: 

Weeds and Invasive Species: https://www.blm.gov/weeds 
Aquatic Species: https://www.blm.gov/programs/aquatics

Points of Contact: 

Seth Flanigan, Lead Natural Resource Specialist  -  Invasive Species

Boise, ID

208-373-4094

 

Sharmila Premdas Jepsen, Lead Fisheries Biologist and Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator

541-731-3331

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM)

Mission: To manage development of U.S. Outer Continental Shelf energy and mineral resources in an environmentally and economically responsible way.

Overview: BOEM manages access to renewable and conventional energy and mineral resources of the Outer Continental Shelf. As part of this, BOEM assesses potential impacts of invasive species and mitigation strategies, and assesses and monitors the spread of some invasive species through BOEM’s Environmental Studies Program.

Links: 

BOEM Environmental Studies Program Information System: https://marinecadastre.gov/espis/#

Points of Contact: 

Mike Rasser, BOEM Division of Environmental Sciences

Sterling, VA

703-787-1729

Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation)

Mission: To manage, develop, and protect water and related resources in an environmentally and economically sound manner in the interest of the American public.

Overview: The Bureau of Reclamation actively manages the risk of aquatic and terrestrial invasive species throughout the 17 western United States. This includes preventing the introduction, establishment, and spread of aquatic and terrestrial invasive species as well as eradication and control activities to minimize adverse impacts. While Reclamation manages numerous invasive species, the bureau focuses extensively on invasive dreissenid mussels. Since the initial discovery and spread of invasive mussels west of the Mississippi in 2007, Reclamation has engaged in a wide-range of activities to prevent and control the infestation. Activities include water sampling and monitoring, facility vulnerability assessments, support for watercraft inspection and decontamination (WID) through various partnerships, outreach and education, and research and implementation of control technologies for post-infestation. 

Links: 

Invasive Mussels: https://www.usbr.gov/mussels

Points of Contact: 

Jolene Trujillo, IPM/Invasive Species Coordinator

Denver, CO

303-445-2903

Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE)

Mission: To promote safety, protect the environment, and conserve resources offshore through vigorous regulatory oversight and enforcement.

Overview: BSEE works to mitigate negative environmental impacts on marine ecosystems and coastal communities, primarily through Notices to Lessees (NTLs) and lease stipulations. BSEE works in close coordination with the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management during the National Environmental Policy Act process to identify Bureau actions that may affect the status of invasive species, and recommend existing or additional mitigation requirements for offshore activity under the Bureau’s jurisdiction.

Links:  https://www.bsee.gov

Points of Contact: 

Monica Chacon, Environmental Compliance Division

Washington, DC

202-208-7251

National Park Service (NPS)

Mission: To preserve unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the national park system for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations.

Overview: NPS is responsible for the inventory, monitoring, control, and management of invasive species across 417 NPS-managed parks, and 28,000 historic structures. NPS also has 17 Invasive Plant Management Teams (IPMTs) that prevent, monitor, and control invasive plants and restore native plant communities.

Links: 

Invasive and Non-Native Species:  https://www.nps.gov/subjects/invasive/index.htm

Invasive Plant Management Teams: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/invasive/work.htm

Points of Contact: 

John Wullschleger, Aquatic Invasive Species Lead
Fort Collins, CO
970-225-3572

Jennifer Sieracki, Invasive Animal Coordinator
St. Paul, MN
612-394-5176

Terri Hogan, Invasive Plant Program Lead
Fort Collins, CO
970-267-7306

James Pieper, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Coordinator
Fort Collins, CO
970-267-2144

Christine Lipsky, Marine Ecologist
Fort Collins, CO
970-267-2133

Office of Insular Affairs (OIA)

Mission: To carry out the administrative responsibilities of the Secretary of the Interior and the Assistant Secretary for Insular Areas in coordinating federal policy for the territories of American Samoa, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.  The Office is also responsible for administering and overseeing U.S. Compact assistance to the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau.

Overview: All funding for invasive species management through the Office of Insular Affairs (OIA) is appropriated annually by the U.S. Congress to help address needs in the U.S. Insular Areas. The U.S. Congress further recognizes that OIA has been supportive of proposed actions for implementation within the Regional Biosecurity Plan (RBP) for Micronesia and Hawaii. 

For many years, OIA has provided funding assistance for brown treesnake (BTS) to control and research, develop, and implement techniques to control BTS populations on Guam.  OIA collaborates extensively with USGS, USFWS, and USDA, to prevent the establishment of BTS in other U.S.-affiliated insular areas and control populations on Guam.

OIA also provides financial support to combat other invasive species, such as the coconut rhinoceros beetle, little fire ant, crown of thorns starfish, red tiled boa constrictors, and African tulip and rubber trees.

Links: https://www.doi.gov/oia

Points of Contact: 

Vanitha Sivarajan, Ecologist/Climate Coordinator

Washington, DC

202-993-4159

 

Hailey McCoy, Grants Management Specialist 

Washington, DC

202-513-7746

Office of Policy Analysis (PPA)

Mission: To provide objective, bureau-neutral, DOI-wide policy analysis, economic analysis, and program coordination to inform and implement the decisions made by the Secretary and DOI leadership.

Overview: PPA coordinates invasive species policy, planning, and program activities that cross DOI Bureaus and Offices. PPA leads DOI-wide invasive species strategies, facilitates the development and implementation of Department invasive species action plans, and coordinates DOI’s Invasive Species Task Force, a leadership body composed of Bureau and Office representatives.

Links: https://www.doi.gov/ppa/office-of-policy-analysis-invasive-species-coordination

Points of Contact: 

Hilary Smith, Senior Advisor for Invasive Species

Washington, DC

202-208-4103

Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE)

Mission: To carry out the requirements of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA) in cooperation with States and Tribes.

Overview: OSMRE works with partner States, industry, environmental groups, academia, and others to replant legacy or abandoned mine lands with native species and control/eradicate invasive plants as required by the site. OSMRE also promotes and recommends the use of native hardwoods and succession species through the Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative Forestry Advisories.

Links: https://www.osmre.gov

Points of Contact: 

Edward Vasquez, Ph.D., Ecologist

Lakewood, CO

303-236-6039

Office of Wildland Fire (OWF)

Mission: Coordinate development, oversight, and evaluation of Department of the Interior Wildland Fire management policies, programs, and budgets. Integrates and coordinates wildland fire management programs, policies, and activities with other Federal agencies, States, Tribes, and other entities.

 

Overview: OWF coordinates Interior’s wildland fire management program and provides funding through BIA, BLM, FWS, and NPS to address invasive species issues related to fuels management, fire response, and post-fire recovery.

Links: 

Office of Wildland Fire: 
https://www.doi.gov/wildlandfire

Points of Contact: 

Kristy Swartz
Wildland Fire Program Specialist
Boise, ID
208-863-5022

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)

Mission: To work with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.

Overview: USFWS oversees the National Aquatic Invasive Species Program and co-chairs the Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) Task Force, an intergovernmental organization solely dedicated to preventing and controlling ANS.

USFWS oversees the injurious wildlife provisions of the Lacey Act (Title 18), which are paramount to preventing the introduction of invasive species into the United States. The Office of Law Enforcement directs the inspection of wildlife shipments at 38 ports, and enforces wildlife laws against trafficking in interstate and foreign commerce of injurious and invasive species.

USFWS also has several programs that address invasive species threats to trust resources, including migratory birds, threatened and endangered species, and fisheries. For example, the National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS), is the world’s most extensive network of public lands and waters dedicated to the conservation of fish, wildlife, and plants. NWRS manages invasive species collaboratively with public and private entities on 836 million acres and includes 566 national wildlife refuges, 38 wetland management districts, 50 coordination areas, and seven national monuments. USFWS also leads “Invasive Species Strike Teams” that work to prevent and control the spread of incipient populations of invasive plants.

The Ecological Services (ES) Program is a leader in conserving our nation’s imperiled species and their habitats. To assist this goal, the ES Program incorporates invasive species management actions into Section 7 (ESA) consultations as well as conservation and species recovery plans.

Links: 

FWS Invasive Species: https://www.fws.gov/program/invasive-species

FWS Aquatic Invasive Species:
https://www.fws.gov/program/aquatic-invasive-species

Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force (ANSTF):
https://www.fws.gov/program/aquatic-nuisance-species-task-force

Injurious Wildlife: https://www.fws.gov/program/injurious-wildlife-listings-keeping-risky-wildlife-species-out-united-states

Points of Contact: 

Acting National Integrated Pest Management Coordinator

Falls Church, VA

 

John Klavitter, National Coordinator for Invasive Species, Island Restoration, and the Cooperative Recovery Initiative

Falls Church, VA

703-358-2063

 

Craig Martin, Chief, Branch of Aquatic Invasive Species

Falls Church, VA

703-358-1932

 

Susan Pasko, ANS Task Force Executive Secretary

Falls Church, VA

703-358-2466

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)

Mission: To serve the Nation by providing reliable scientific information to describe and understand the Earth; minimize loss of life and property from natural disasters; manage water, biological, energy, and mineral resources; and enhance and protect our quality of life.

Overview: USGS develops tools, technologies, and decision support systems to detect, monitor, assess risk and impacts, and containment and control of aquatic and terrestrial invasive species, including invasive wildlife diseases, across the United States and its Territories. USGS also collects and synthesizes data on invasive species distribution and other information, and makes it accessible to managers, stakeholders, and the public.

Links: 

USGS Invasive Species Program: https://www.usgs.gov/science/mission-areas/ecosystems/invasive-species-program?qt-programs_l2_landing_page=0#qt-programs_l2_landing_page
Nonindigenous Aquatic Species: https://nas.er.usgs.gov

Points of Contact: 

Cindy Tam, Biological Threats & Invasive Species Research Program Coordinator

Reston, VA

703-648-4023

 

Camille Hopkins, Wildlife Disease Coordinator

Reston, VA

703-648-4019

James English, Biosurveillance Network Coordinator
Laurel, MD
571-271-4195

Paul Heimowitz, Terrestrial Invasive Species Program Manager
Portland, OR
703-295-2638

Patrick M. Kocovsky, PhD, Aquatic Invasive Species Program Manager 
Fort Collins, CO
571-205-1487