Recommendations
One of the tasks associated with the Assessment was a comprehensive survey of professionals currently engaged in invasive species management in Idaho. Their wisdom and experience plus the track record of programs to control noxious weeds and agricultural pests, human health or fish and wildlife resources provide a basis for some recommendations to be
considered by Idaho’s policy makers. Foremost among these is the recommendation that the Assessment become the basis for a more comprehensive plan designed to address the threats posed by invasive species in Idaho, in a coordinated and effective manner and with a response that is adequate to the size of the risks. Other recommendations include:
Establish an Equitable and Stable Source of Funds
Insufficient funding and staff was noted as a major barrier by a great majority of Idaho’s invasive species managers. Additional money is fundamental to overcoming the gaps in public and landowner education cited by Idaho managers as well as to achieving the goals of prevention and early detection. The sources and amounts of additional money are
guaranteed to create a discussion. The broad nature of the causes and contributors to the problem implies that a broadbased tax is appropriate as a funding mechanism. Such a tax might take the form of a small surcharge for boat, RV or offroad vehicles licenses, fish and game licenses, exotic species importation permits or similar activities closely tied to invasive species pathways or through general fund tax revenues.
Conduct Educational Programs
There are obvious educational needs to be met, falling into two broad categories: (1) property owners, and (2) those whom have some relationship with invasive species pathways. The latter category ranges from nursery operators who import exotic species to recreationists who bring in boats or recreational vehicles from other locales.
Set Priorities for Species to be Addressed
There is a wide variety of species requiring control efforts and
little consensus among managers on priorities for them. Unfortunately, this implies a program that is reactive, since priorities are set by actual occurrence and not by preventative actions or for especially high-risk species that may not be here yet. Targeting high-priority species early on in the implementation of a comprehensive invasive species management program might serve to create a better focus
and mission for the program.
Establish a Process to Assess Risks Posed by Various Species
Efforts to prioritize species and then work to prevent or manage outbreaks of them in Idaho must be accompanied by an assessment of the risk that each poses. Risk assessment is a combination of identifying species that might arrive here (the risk of introduction) and of the damage they would likely cause if they were introduced (the risk of significant damage). Species that have a high risk of appearing in Idaho and a high risk of causing widespread, significant damage if they do, require a higher priority for prevention or control (if it is already here) than those with lower risks.
Coordinate Invasive Species Work within State Government
It is important to ensure that a comprehensive invasive species
program in Idaho is not diluted by competing efforts among various agencies. There is a need to examine whether the invasive species authorities for each of the state agencies involved in invasive species management are clear, and that each agency is enthusiastic about carrying out its responsibilities. The Idaho Invasive Species Council is probably best equipped to create a sense of mission among all involved
agencies and to ensure that the overall program receives the attention it deserves within state government.
Enact the Necessary Changes in State Law
There are some additional statutory authorities that should be considered. The first is the need to consider providing the Idaho Invasive Species Council with a clear statutory basis for developing and implementing a comprehensive invasive species program that cuts across the numerous agencies involved in it. Another change in the law that should be considered is a measure that would “hold harmless” landowners who find and report the presence of high priority invasive species on their lands. For invasive species, it should be made clear when landowners incur liability for control measures and when they do not.
Identify Research Needs
There is much to be learned about invasive species, ranging from how some microbials might spread to finding acceptable biological controls for noxious weeds. Fortunately, the University of Idaho has a proven track record for research relating to both agricultural pests and noxious weeds. These efforts should be a basis for future work, and those agencies involved in invasive species management will need to identify gaps in their knowledge and work closely with research institutions to fill those gaps. It is equally important to communicate information regarding invasive species through extension programs.
Hold an Idaho “Invasive Species Summit”
There is a need to convene a “summit meeting” of Idaho invasive species managers, legislators and other elected officials, representatives of the scientific community and those who otherwise have a stake in invasive species management to review the current situation and discuss what future steps will be needed. Perhaps the biggest reason for such a
gathering would be to begin to focus on the structure of a comprehensive invasive species program in Idaho, just as the “Weed Summit” in 1998 paved the way for the Cooperative Weed Management Areas and the implementation of a comprehensive weed strategy in the state.