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Governor and advisory council fight real problems from invasive species in AZ News Media Jul 7, 2006 PHOENIX - They can threaten our state's economy, environment and even human health. They're invasive species, non-native plants and animals that come to Arizona and cause real harm, and the problems they create are now being addressed by Gov. Janet Napolitano's Arizona Invasive Species Advisory Council. Arizona is currently dealing with several invasive species problems, including the emergence of roof rats in our urban areas, the competition of non-native crayfish with our native and sport fish species, and the discovery of golden algae in some of our lakes, which causes fish kills. "Arizona needs to position itself to protect our economy, people and resources in the future," says Gov. Napolitano, who created the advisory council with an executive order. The council of experts from both the public and private sector just completed a "Report to the Governor" with recommendations to protect Arizona's interests from plant and animal species that are brought into our state - both intentionally and unintentionally - and cause harm. Non-native birds, rodents and insects can bring in human diseases, driving up health care costs. Epidemics of diseases, including malaria, yellow fever, plague and even the recent spread of West Nile Virus, have been associated with invasive animal species. The cost of invasive species damage and control to agriculture and forestry in the United States is estimated to be more than $138 billion each year. Invasive plants or weeds can cause reductions in crop production, can compete with native plants and can change an area's ecology. "We want to address this issue and come up with some real ways to prevent our local communities from sustaining ecological damage or losing money from species that shouldn't be in Arizona," says Arizona Game and Fish Department Director Duane Shroufe, whose agency has been heavily involved in creating the new report. "The report addresses a wide variety of invasive species problems, from the fact that they threaten native wildlife species and add fuel to our state's wildfires, to their threats to tourism and recreation." The new report details seven recommendations for combating the invasive species problem. They include: 1. Establishing an invasive species database and mapping system, 2. Developing a comprehensive statewide invasive species management plan, 3. Establishing an Arizona Center for Invasive Species, 4. Creating an invasive species advisory list, 5. Providing outreach and education on the issue. You can find more information about the Arizona Invasive Species Advisory Council and a link to its report at azgovernor.gov/ais. Council members include representatives from the Governor's Office, Arizona Game and Fish Department, Arizona Department of Agriculture, Arizona Department of Transportation, Arizona State Land Department, Arizona State Parks, Arizona Department of Water Resources, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Geological Survey, Arizona State University, University of Arizona, Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, The Nature Conservancy, Salt River Project, Arizona Cattle Growers Association, Arizona Native Plant Society, PETsMART, the Arizona Crop Protection Association, Arizona Association of Conservation District, and the nursery and landscape industry. |
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