Invasive Fish and Wildlife Prevention Act - Fall

Advisor(s): Howard Buffett | Alison Miller

Invasive species—harmful nonnative animals, plants, or pathogens—pose serious threats to the United States, impacting the economy, environment, and human health. Economic costs arise from billions spent annually on control efforts, while ecological damage includes disruption of native species, food chains, and ecosystem services. Invasive pathogens, such as West Nile Virus, have caused thousands of illnesses and deaths, while nearly 42% of threatened or endangered species are jeopardized by invasive populations. The persistent introduction and spread of invasive species, exacerbated by globalization, underscores the need for a coordinated national response.

The Invasive Fish and Wildlife Prevention Act, proposed in March 2013, establishes a comprehensive national invasive species management program. The Act aims to prevent new introductions, mitigate established populations, and provide long-term governance. This report outlines a program design to implement the Act effectively, emphasizing interagency collaboration at federal, state, and local levels. The program integrates the existing structures of the National Invasive Species Council and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, while creating a three-part structure consisting of a Secretariat, a Research Body, and an Injurious Wildlife Prevention Fund. Six regional Interagency Working Groups will coordinate science, policy, outreach, and border control efforts.

Funding is provided through fees, fines, and penalties levied on violators and wildlife importers. Milestones in the first year include establishing management infrastructure, reviewing research proposals, disbursing funds, conducting field research, and finalizing emergency declaration and scientific risk assessment procedures. By creating a dynamic, integrated framework, the program provides a scalable and adaptive approach to managing invasive species, protecting public health, safeguarding ecosystems, and mitigating economic losses.

Learn more about the MPA-ESP Workshop in Applied Earth Systems Management.