WHEREAS, the land, water, and other resources of Idaho are being severely impacted by the invasion of an increasing number of harmful, nonnative plant and animal species; and

WHEREAS, these impacts are resulting in damage to Idaho’s environment and causing economic hardships to public, private, and tribal owners; and

WHEREAS, representatives of public and private organizations with an interest in controlling and preventing the spread of harmful invasive species that continue to need a mechanism for cooperation, collaboration, and development of statewide plans of action to meet this threat; and

WHEREAS, the Idaho Invasive Species Council serves as a mechanism for cooperation, collaboration, and development of statewide plans of action to meet this threat; and

WHEREAS, multiple agencies, authorities, and information sources are used to implement a wide variety of invasive species management programs; and

WHEREAS, a need exists to build upon the strength of existing invasive species programs, to improve areas that are weaker, and integrate efforts into an efficient unified state response to the threat of invasive species;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JAMES E. RISCH, Governor of the State of Idaho, by the authority vested in me under the Constitution and laws of the State of Idaho do hereby order the following:

The continuation of the Idaho Invasive Species Council (the Council) as a joint effort between local, tribal, state, and federal governments, as well as the profit and not-for-profit private sectors. The purpose of the Council is to foster coordinated approaches that support local initiative for the prevention and control of invasive species.

The Council’s responsibilities shall be:

1.      The purpose of the Council is to provide policy level direction and planning for combating harmful invasive species infestations throughout the state and for preventing the introduction of others that may be potentially harmful.

2.      To serve as a nonpartisan forum for identifying and understanding        invasive species issues from all perspectives.

3.      To implement Idaho’s Action Plan for Invasive Species.

4.      To continue the efforts of the Idaho Invasive Species Council to implement actions proposed in the 2005 Strategic Action Plan for Invasive Species.

5.      To take measures that will encourage control and prevention of harmful non-native species;

6.      To organize and streamline the process for identifying and controlling invasive species;

7.      To consider ways to halt the spread of invasive species as well as finding possible ways to bring current problems under control;

8.      To implement Idaho’s Action Plan for Invasive Species.

 Membership shall include a representative from the Office of the Governor and the directors of the following State entities:

         1.                  Department of Agriculture

2.                  Department of Environmental Quality

3.                  Department of Parks and Recreation

4.                  Department of Fish and Game

5.                  Department of Lands

6.                  Department of Water Resources

7.                  Department of Commerce & Labor

8.                  Department of Health and Welfare

9.                  Idaho Transportation Department

Representatives and members of federal entities, local government organizations, tribal governments, Idaho universities and private and not-for-profit organizations with an interest in the well being of Idaho pertaining to invasive species shall be invited to participate.

Additional Members may be added by consensus of the Council.

The Council shall meet no less than twice annually. The chairman of the council shall be the director of the Idaho Department of Agriculture or his/her representative.

The Council shall submit a report of its activities to the Governor and the Legislature annually.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Idaho at the Capitol in Boise on this 10th day of August in the year of our Lord two thousand and six, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred thirty-first and of the Statehood of Idaho the one hundred seventeenth.

BEN YSURSA
SECRETARY OF STATE