16 USC 4721 - Establishment of Task Force

Collapse to view only § 4721. Establishment of Task Force

§ 4721. Establishment of Task Force
§ 4722. Aquatic nuisance species program
§ 4723. Regional coordination
§ 4724. State aquatic nuisance species management plans
§ 4725. Relationship to other laws
§ 4726. International cooperation
§ 4727. Intentional introductions policy review
§ 4728. Brown tree snake control program
§ 4729. Coastal Aquatic Invasive Species Mitigation Grant Program and Mitigation Fund
§ 4730. Great Lakes and Lake Champlain Invasive Species Program

§ 4721. Establishment of Task Force

(a) Task Force

(b) Membership

Membership of the Task Force shall consist of—

(1) the Director;

(2) the Under Secretary;

(3) the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency;

(4) the Commandant of the United States Coast Guard;

(5) the Assistant Secretary;

(6) the Secretary of Agriculture;

(7) the Director of the National Park Service;

(8) the Director of the Bureau of Land Management;

(9) the Commissioner of Reclamation; and

(10) the head of any other Federal agency that the chairpersons designated under subsection (d) deem appropriate.

(d) Chairpersons

(e) Memorandum of understanding

(f) Coordination

(g) Observers

(Pub. L. 101–646, title I, § 1201, Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 4765; Pub. L. 104–182, title III, § 308(b), Aug. 6, 1996, 110 Stat. 1689; Pub. L. 104–332, § 2(e)(2), (h)(1), Oct. 26, 1996, 110 Stat. 4085, 4091; Pub. L. 117–263, div. K, title CXIII, § 11327(b), (c), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 4097; Pub. L. 117–328, div. O, title IV, § 404(b), Dec. 29, 2022, 136 Stat. 5229.)

§ 4722. Aquatic nuisance species program

(a) In general

(b) Content

The program developed under subsection (a) shall—

(1) identify the goals, priorities, and approaches for aquatic nuisance species prevention, monitoring, control, education and research to be conducted or funded by the Federal Government;

(2) describe the specific prevention, monitoring, control, education and research activities to be conducted by each Task Force member;

(3) coordinate aquatic nuisance species programs and activities of Task Force members and affected State agencies;

(4) describe the role of each Task Force member in implementing the elements of the program as set forth in this subchapter;

(5) include recommendations for funding to implement elements of the program; and

(6) develop a demonstration program of prevention, monitoring, control, education and research for the zebra mussel, to be implemented in the Great Lakes and any other waters infested, or likely to become infested in the near future, by the zebra mussel.

(1) In general

The Task Force shall establish and implement measures, within the program developed under subsection (a), to minimize the risk of introduction of aquatic nuisance species to waters of the United States, including—

(A) identification of pathways by which aquatic organisms are introduced to waters of the United States;

(B) assessment of the risk that an aquatic organism carried by an identified pathway may become an aquatic nuisance species; and

(C) evaluation of whether measures to prevent introductions of aquatic nuisance species are effective and environmentally sound.

(2) Implementation

(d) Monitoring

The Task Force shall establish and implement monitoring measures, within the program developed under subsection (a), to—

(1) detect unintentional introductions of aquatic nuisance species;

(2) determine the dispersal of aquatic nuisance species after introduction; and

(3) provide for the early detection and prevention of infestations of aquatic nuisance species in unaffected drainage basins.

(e) Control

(1) In general

(2) Decisions

(3) Programs

(4) Technical assistance and recommendations

The Task Force may provide technical assistance and recommendations for best practices to an agency or entity engaged in vessel inspections or decontaminations for the purpose of—

(A) effectively managing and controlling the movement of aquatic nuisance species into, within, or out of water of the United States; and

(B) inspecting recreational vessels in a manner that minimizes disruptions to public access for boating and recreation in non-contaminated vessels.

(5) Consultation and input

In carrying out paragraph (4), including the development of recommendations, the Task Force may consult with Indian Tribes and solicit input from—

(A) State and Tribal fish and wildlife management agencies;

(B) other State and Tribal agencies that manage fishery resources of the State or sustain fishery habitat; and

(f) Research

(1) Priorities

The Task Force shall, within the program developed under subsection (a), conduct research concerning—

(A) the environmental and economic risks and impacts associated with the introduction of aquatic nuisance species into the waters of the United States;

(B) the principal pathways by which aquatic nuisance species are introduced and dispersed;

(D) the assessment of the effectiveness of prevention, monitoring and control methods.

(2) Protocol

(3) Grants for research

(g) Technical assistance

(h) Education

(i) Zebra mussel demonstration program

(1) Zebra mussel

(A) In general

The Task Force shall, within the program developed under subsection (a), undertake a program of prevention, monitoring, control, education and research for the zebra mussel to be implemented in the Great Lakes and any other waters of the United States infested or likely to become infested by the zebra mussel, including—

(i) research and development concerning the species life history, environmental tolerances and impacts on fisheries and other ecosystem components, and the efficacy of control mechanisms and means of avoiding or minimizing impacts;

(ii) tracking the dispersal of the species and establishment of an early warning system to alert likely areas of future infestations;

(iii) development of control plans in coordination with regional, State and local entities; and

(iv) provision of technical assistance to regional, State and local entities to carry out this section.

(B) Public facility research and development

(2) Dispersal containment analysis

(A) Research

The Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, in cooperation with the National Science Foundation and the Task Force, shall provide research grants on a competitive basis for projects that—

(i) identify environmentally sound methods for controlling the dispersal of aquatic nuisance species, such as the zebra mussel; and

(ii) adhere to research protocols developed pursuant to subsection (f)(2).

(B) Authorization of appropriations

(3) Dispersal barrier demonstration

(A) In general

(B) Report

Not later than 18 months after October 26, 1996, the Assistant Secretary shall issue a report to the Congress that includes recommendations concerning—

(i) which of the methods that are identified under the study conducted under this paragraph are most promising with respect to preventing and reducing the dispersal of aquatic nuisance species; and

(ii) ways to incorporate those methods into ongoing operations of the United States Army Corps of Engineers that are conducted at the Chicago River Ship and Sanitary Canal.

(4) Contributions

(5) Technical assistance

(j) Implementation

(1) Regulations

(2) Participation of others

(k) Reports

(1) Not later than 12 months after November 29, 1990, the Task Force shall submit a report describing the program developed under subsection (a), including the research protocol required under subsection (f)(2), to the Congress.

(2) On an annual basis after the submission of the report under paragraph (1), the Task Force shall submit a report to the Congress detailing progress in carrying out this section.

(3) Not later than 90 days after December 23, 2022, the Task Force shall submit a report to Congress recommending legislative, programmatic, or regulatory changes to eliminate remaining gaps in authorities between members of the Task Force to effectively manage and control the movement of aquatic nuisance species.

(Pub. L. 101–646, title I, § 1202, Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 4766; Pub. L. 104–332, § 2(e)(3), (4), (g), (h)(1), Oct. 26, 1996, 110 Stat. 4085, 4087, 4091; Pub. L. 109–234, title II, § 2309, June 15, 2006, 120 Stat. 457; Pub. L. 117–263, div. K, title CXIII, § 11327(d), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 4097.)

§ 4723. Regional coordination

(a) Great Lakes panel

(1) In general

Not later than 30 days following November 29, 1990, the Task Force shall request that the Great Lakes Commission (established under Article IV of the Great Lakes Compact to which the Congress granted consent in the Act of July 24, 1968, P.L. 90–419) convene a panel of Great Lakes region representatives from Federal, State and local agencies and from private environmental and commercial interests to—

(A) identify priorities for the Great Lakes region with respect to aquatic nuisance species;

(B) make recommendations to the Task Force regarding programs to carry out section 4722(i) of this title;

(D) coordinate, where possible, aquatic nuisance species program activities in the Great Lakes region that are not conducted pursuant to this chapter;

(E) provide advice to public and private individuals and entities concerning methods of controlling aquatic nuisance species; and

(F) submit annually a report to the Task Force describing activities within the Great Lakes region related to aquatic nuisance species prevention, research, and control.

(2) Consultation

(3) Canadian participation

(b) Western regional panel

Not later than 30 days after October 26, 1996, the Task Force shall request a Western regional panel, comprised of Western region representatives from Federal, State, and local agencies and from private environmental and commercial interests, to—

(1) identify priorities for the Western region with respect to aquatic nuisance species;

(2) make recommendations to the Task Force regarding an education, monitoring (including inspection), prevention, and control program to prevent the spread of the zebra mussel west of the 100th Meridian pursuant to section 4722(i) of this title;

(3) coordinate, where possible, other aquatic nuisance species program activities in the Western region that are not conducted pursuant to this chapter;

(4) develop an emergency response strategy for Federal, State, and local entities for stemming new invasions of aquatic nuisance species in the region;

(5) provide advice to public and private individuals and entities concerning methods of preventing and controlling aquatic nuisance species infestations; and

(6) submit annually a report to the Task Force describing activities within the Western region related to aquatic nuisance species prevention, research, and control.

The Task Force shall—

(1) encourage the development and use of regional panels and other similar entities in regions in addition to the Great Lakes and Western regions (including providing financial assistance for the development and use of such entities) to carry out, with respect to those regions, activities that are similar to the activities described in subsections (a) and (b); and

(2) cooperate with regional panels and similar entities that carry out the activities described in paragraph (1).

(Pub. L. 101–646, title I, § 1203, Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 4769; Pub. L. 104–332, § 2(e)(5), (h)(1), Oct. 26, 1996, 110 Stat. 4087, 4091; Pub. L. 117–263, div. K, title CXIII, § 11327(e)(3), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 4098.)

§ 4724. State aquatic nuisance species management plans

(a) State or interstate invasive species management plans

(1) In general

After providing notice and opportunity for public comment, the Governor of each State may prepare and submit, or the Governors of the States and the governments of the Indian tribes involved in an interstate organization, may jointly prepare and submit—

(A) a comprehensive management plan to the Task Force for approval which identifies those areas or activities within the State or within the interstate region involved, other than those related to public facilities, for which technical, enforcement, or financial assistance (or any combination thereof) is needed to eliminate or reduce the environmental, public health, and safety risks associated with aquatic nuisance species, particularly the zebra mussel; and

(B) a public facility management plan to the Assistant Secretary for approval which is limited solely to identifying those public facilities within the State or within the interstate region involved for which technical and financial assistance is needed to reduce infestations of zebra mussels.

(2) Content

Each plan shall, to the extent possible, identify the management practices and measures that will be undertaken to reduce infestations of aquatic nuisance species. Each plan shall—

(A) identify and describe State and local programs for environmentally sound prevention and control of the target aquatic nuisance species;

(B) identify Federal activities that may be needed for environmentally sound prevention and control of aquatic nuisance species and a description of the manner in which those activities should be coordinated with State and local government activities;

(C) identify any authority that the State (or any State or Indian tribe involved in the interstate organization) does not have at the time of the development of the plan that may be necessary for the State (or any State or Indian tribe involved in the interstate organization) to protect public health, property, and the environment from harm by aquatic nuisance species; and

(D) a schedule of implementing the plan, including a schedule of annual objectives, and enabling legislation.

(3) Consultation

(A) In developing and implementing a management plan, the State or interstate organization should, to the maximum extent practicable, involve local governments and regional entities, Indian tribes, and public and private organizations that have expertise in the control of aquatic nuisance species.

(B) Upon the request of a State or the appropriate official of an interstate organization, the Task Force or the Assistant Secretary, as appropriate under paragraph (1), may provide technical assistance in developing and implementing a management plan.

(4) Plan approval

(b) Grant program

(1) State grants

(2) Application

(3) Federal share

(A) The Federal share of the cost of each comprehensive management plan implemented with Federal assistance under this section in any fiscal year shall not exceed 75 percent of the cost incurred by the State in implementing such management program and the non-Federal share of such costs shall be provided from non-Federal sources.

(B) The Federal share of the cost of each public facility management plan implemented with Federal assistance under this section in any fiscal year shall not exceed 50 percent of the cost incurred by the State in implementing such management program and the non-Federal share of such costs shall be provided from non-Federal sources.

(4) Administrative costs

(5) In-kind contributions

(Pub. L. 101–646, title I, § 1204, Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 4770; Pub. L. 104–332, § 2(e)(6), (h)(1), Oct. 26, 1996, 110 Stat. 4089, 4091; Pub. L. 117–263, div. K, title CXIII, § 11327(e)(4), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 4098.)

§ 4725. Relationship to other laws

(a) Consistency with environmental laws

(b) Effect of chapter

(1) In general

(2) Exception

(Pub. L. 101–646, title I, § 1205, Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 4771; Pub. L. 104–332, § 2(h)(1), Oct. 26, 1996, 110 Stat. 4091; Pub. L. 115–282, title IX, § 903(h)(2), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4363.)

§ 4726. International cooperation

(a) Advice

(b) Negotiations

(Pub. L. 101–646, title I, § 1206, Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 4771; Pub. L. 104–332, § 2(h)(1), Oct. 26, 1996, 110 Stat. 4091.)

§ 4727. Intentional introductions policy review

Within one year of November 29, 1990, the Task Force shall, in consultation with State fish and wildlife agencies, other regional, State and local entities, potentially affected industries and other interested parties, identify and evaluate approaches for reducing the risk of adverse consequences associated with intentional introduction of aquatic organisms and submit a report of their findings, conclusions and recommendations to the Congress.

(Pub. L. 101–646, title I, § 1207, Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 4771; Pub. L. 104–332, § 2(g), (h)(1), Oct. 26, 1996, 110 Stat. 4091.)

§ 4728. Brown tree snake control program

The Task Force shall, within the program developed under section 4722(a) of this title, undertake a comprehensive, environmentally sound program in coordination with regional, territorial, State and local entities to control the brown tree snake (Boiga irregularis) in Guam and other areas where the species is established outside of its historic range.

(Pub. L. 101–646, title I, § 1209, Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 4772; Pub. L. 104–332, § 2(h)(1), Oct. 26, 1996, 110 Stat. 4091; Pub. L. 117–263, div. K, title CXIII, § 11327(e)(5), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 4098.)

§ 4729. Coastal Aquatic Invasive Species Mitigation Grant Program and Mitigation Fund

(1) DefinitionsIn this section:

(A) Coastal zone

(B) Eligible entityThe term “eligible entity” means—

(i) a State;

(ii) a unit of local government;

(iii) an Indian Tribe;

(iv) a nongovernmental organization; and

(v) an institution of higher education.

(D) Foundation

(E) Fund

(F) Program

(G) Secretary

(2) Grant program

(A) Establishment

(B) PurposesThe purposes of the Program are—

(i) to improve the understanding, prevention, and mitigation of, and response to, aquatic invasive species in—(I) the coastal zone; and(II) the Exclusive Economic Zone;

(ii) to support the prevention and mitigation of impacts from aquatic invasive species in the coastal zone; and

(iii) to support the restoration of Pacific Island habitats, marine, estuarine, and Great Lakes environments in the coastal zone and the Exclusive Economic Zone that are impacted by aquatic invasive species.

(i) In generalA grant awarded under the Program shall be used for an activity to carry out the purposes of the Program, including an activity—(I) to develop and implement procedures and programs, including permissible State ballast water inspection programs, to prevent, detect, control, mitigate, and rapidly or progressively eradicate aquatic invasive species in the coastal zone or the Exclusive Economic Zone, particularly in areas with high numbers of established aquatic invasive species;(II) to restore habitat impacted by an aquatic invasive species;(III) to develop new shipboard and land-based ballast water treatment system technologies and performance standards to prevent the introduction of aquatic invasive species;(IV) to develop mitigation measures to protect natural and cultural living resources, including shellfish, from the impacts of aquatic invasive species; or(V) to develop mitigation measures to protect infrastructure, such as hydroelectric infrastructure, from aquatic invasive species.

(ii) Prohibition on funding litigation

(D) AdministrationNot later than 90 days after December 4, 2018, the Foundation, in consultation with the Secretary, shall establish the following:

(i) Application and review procedures for awarding grants under the Program.

(ii) Approval procedures for awarding grants under the Program, including a requirement for consultation with—(I) the Secretary of the Interior; and(II) the Administrator.

(iii) Performance accountability and monitoring measures for activities funded by a grant awarded under the Program.

(iv) Procedures and methods to ensure accurate accounting and appropriate administration of grants awarded under the Program, including standards of recordkeeping.

(E) Matching requirement

(F) Funding

(3) Mitigation Fund

(A) Establishment

(B) Transfers to Fund

(i) Appropriation

(ii) Additional authorization

(Pub. L. 115–282, title IX, § 903(f), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4357.)

§ 4730. Great Lakes and Lake Champlain Invasive Species Program

(1) DefinitionsIn this section:

(A) Administrator

(B) Aquatic nuisance species

(D) Great Lakes and Lake Champlain SystemsThe term “Great Lakes and Lake Champlain Systems” includes—

(i) Lake Champlain; and

(ii) all bodies of water (including wetlands) within—(I) the Great Lakes System (as defined in section 1268(a)(3) of title 33); or(II) the Lake Champlain drainage basin (as defined in section 1270(g) of title 33).

(E) Program

(2) Establishment of program

(A) In generalThe Administrator shall establish within the Great Lakes National Program Office a program, to be known as the “Great Lakes and Lake Champlain Invasive Species Program”—

(i) in collaboration with—(I) the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service;(II) the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration;(III) the Director of the United States Geological Survey; and(IV) the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating; and

(ii) in consultation with—(I) the head of Great Lakes Aquatic Nonindigenous Species Information System of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; and(II) the head of Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

(B) PurposesThe purposes of the Program shall be—

(i) to monitor for the introduction and spread of aquatic nuisance species into or within the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain Systems;

(ii) to detect newly introduced aquatic nuisance species prior to the establishment of the aquatic nuisance species in the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain Systems;

(iii) to inform, and assist with, management and response actions to prevent or stop the establishment or spread of an aquatic nuisance species;

(iv) to establish a watch list of candidate aquatic nuisance species that may be introduced or spread, and that may survive and establish, within the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain Systems;

(v) to monitor vectors likely to be contributing to the introduction or spread of aquatic nuisance species, including ballast water operations;

(vi) to work collaboratively with the Federal, State, local, and Tribal agencies to develop criteria for prioritizing and distributing monitoring efforts;

(vii) to develop, achieve type approval for, and pilot shipboard or land-based ballast water management systems installed on, or available for use by, commercial vessels operating solely within the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain Systems to prevent the spread of aquatic nuisance species populations within the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain Systems; and

(viii) to facilitate meaningful Federal and State implementation of the regulatory framework in this section, including monitoring, shipboard education, inspection, and compliance conducted by States.

(3) MethodologyThe Program shall seek—

(A) to build on—

(i) existing aquatic nuisance species monitoring efforts; and

(ii) efforts to develop criteria for prioritizing and distributing monitoring efforts, geographically and among taxa, in the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain Systems;

(B) to advance early detection and monitoring, and capacity to control the establishment and spread, of aquatic nuisance species within the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain Systems;

(C) to identify opportunities to interdict the introduction and spread of aquatic nuisance species through sound science and technological advancements;

(D) to assess the risk of aquatic nuisance species introduction and spread via the range of vectors active within the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain Systems;

(E) to advance the development of type-approved ballast water management system (as defined in subsection (p)(1) of section 1322 of title 33 1

1 So in original. Probably should be followed by a closing parenthesis.

equipment for commercial, non-seagoing vessels that operate solely within the Great Lakes System (as defined in section 1268(a)(3) of title 33);

(F) to immediately make available to the public information regarding—

(i) the detection of new aquatic nuisance species within the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain Systems; or

(ii) the spread of aquatic nuisance species within the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain Systems;

(G) to annually submit to appropriate individuals and entities in each affected region a report describing the findings and activities of the Program;

(H) to identify roles and responsibilities of Federal agencies in aquatic nuisance species monitoring and response; and

(I) to provide resource assistance to States implementing State-level programs to enter into partnerships with Federal agencies in enforcing the requirements under subsection (p) of section 1322 of title 33.

(4) CollaborationIn carrying out and developing the Program, the Director shall collaborate with—

(A) applicable Federal, State, local, and Tribal agencies; and

(B) such other research entities or stakeholders as the Director determines to be appropriate.

(5) Data availabilityThe Director shall—

(A) make the data collected under the Program available on a publicly accessible internet website, including in an annual summary report; and

(B) in coordination with the entities identified under paragraph (4), develop communication and notification protocols for the purpose of communicating the range of aquatic nuisance species and any identification of a new aquatic nuisance species introduced to the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain Systems.

(6) Report to Congress

(A) In general

(B) ContentsThe report under subparagraph (A) shall include—

(i) a description of activities carried out under the Program, including an explanation of how those activities help to achieve the purposes described in paragraph (2)(B);

(ii) an analysis of Federal, State, and local efforts to enhance multidisciplinary approaches to achieve the purposes described in paragraph (2)(B);

(iii) recommendations relating to activities that would contribute to achievement of the purposes described in paragraph (2)(B); and

(iv) recommendations to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Program.

(7) Authorization of appropriations

(Pub. L. 115–282, title IX, § 903(g), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4359.)