WHEREAS, harmful non-indigenous species of plants, animals, and other
organisms, commonly referred to as invasive species, pose a threat to
New Jersey's native vegetation and natural resources by invading healthy
ecosystems where they displace, impair or destroy indigenous species and
impair ecosystem function; and
WHEREAS, invasive species threaten New Jersey's agricultural resources
through loss of production and loss of product marketability; and
WHEREAS, invasive species pose a threat to natural biodiversity, the
integrity and function of natural ecosystems, and economic vitality in
New Jersey and throughout the United States; and
WHEREAS, this national threat affects approximately 1,880 federally
listed species; and
WHEREAS, it has been estimated that damages from non-indigenous species
in the United States result in economic losses of $123 billion annually;
and
WHEREAS, invasive species have been documented on lands managed by the
Department of Environmental Protection's Division of Parks and Forestry
and Division of Fish and Wildlife, including portions of the State's Natural
Areas System, on agricultural lands and on other private lands; and
WHEREAS, the federal government has created a national Invasive Species
Council and an Invasive Species Advisory Committee and has mandated the
preparation of a National Invasive Species Management Plan to address
the invasive species threat; and
WHEREAS, the Departments of Environmental Protection and Agriculture
have taken steps to address the threat posed by invasive species, including
the formation of study groups, the monitoring of invasive species, the
development of agricultural invasive species management plans, along with
eradication and biological control programs targeting selected invasive
species and plant pests of foreign origin; and
WHEREAS, despite these efforts, invasive species continue to be introduced
into New Jersey; and
WHEREAS, the most efficient means of controlling invasive species is
to prevent their entry into the State and to address an invasive species
before the species becomes established; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary and appropriate for New Jersey to develop uniform
policies and a coordinated response to the threat posed by invasive species
to the State's native and agricultural vegetation, and to establish a
source of advice to the Governor on this issue;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, JAMES E. McGREEVEY, Governor of the State of New
Jersey, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and
by the Statutes of this State, do hereby ORDER and DIRECT:
- There is hereby established a New Jersey Invasive Species Council
(Council).
- The Council shall consist of:
- The Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection
or his designee;
- The Secretary of the Department of Agriculture or his designee;
- The Commissioner of the Department of Transportation or his designee;
- The Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Commerce and Economic
Growth Commission or his designee;
Additional members of the Council shall be appointed by the Governor
as follows:
- Three representatives from conservation organizations;
- One representative from the agricultural sector;
- Two representatives of the nursery and landscape sector;
- One representative of the New Jersey Agricultural Invasive Species
Council;
- One representative from academia;
- One or more representatives from the general public.
- The Co-Chairpersons of the Council shall be the Commissioner of the
Department of Environmental Protection and the Secretary of the Department
of Agriculture, or their designees.
- The Council shall request the participation of the United States
Department of Agriculture, the United States Environmental Protection
Agency and the United States Department of the Interior.
- The Council shall develop a comprehensive New Jersey Invasive Species
Management Plan to be submitted to the Governor no later than June 2005.
The management plan shall include but not be limited to: a statement of
policy and mission; definitions; findings concerning the current status
of non-indigenous plant species in New Jersey and their impact on habitat,
biota and natural ecosystems; identification of prevention methods and
procedures for early detection and rapid response, and control measures;
identification of restoration and research needs and pilot projects; establishment
of information management, education and interpretation measures; and
coordination among state agencies and adjacent states.
- The Council shall undertake the following tasks and any other reasonable
measures necessary to prevent the introduction of invasive species and
to eliminate or minimize invasive species already established in the State.
These tasks, as appropriate, may become components of the New Jersey Invasive
Species Management Plan:
- Recommend measures necessary for the Departments and non-governmental
organizations to cooperate with federal agencies and other states in
complying with Executive Order 13112 and the National Invasive Species
Management Plan;
- Identify research needs to better assess the sources, degree, distribution
and threat posed by invasive species, and methods for preventing the
introduction and control of invasive species;
- Review ongoing invasive species control efforts being carried out
by the Departments, and recommend new or revised measures to limit the
introduction and effectuate the control of invasive species;
- Produce educational materials for public distribution regarding the
threats posed by invasive species, outlining measures to prevent the
introduction of invasive species and to control invasive species, and
encourage the use of local native genotypes propagated in New Jersey
in landscaping and planting (including drought tolerant native plants);
- Develop partnerships with federal, State and local government agencies
and private organizations, including the horticultural industry, necessary
to implement the policies and recommendations of the Council;
- Identify funding sources for research, monitoring, control and outreach
programs;
- Plan, design and implement two invasive species eradication and native
plant restoration pilot projects by June 2005.
- Identify legislative or regulatory actions necessary to implement
or further the policies and recommendations of the Council.
- This order shall take effect immediately.
GIVEN, under my hand and seal this 27th day of
February in the Year of Our Lord, Two Thousand
and Four, and of the Independence of the United
States, the Two Hundred and Twenty-Eight
/s/ James E. McGreevey
Governor
[seal]
Attest:
/s/ Michael R. DeCotiis
Chief Counsel to the Governor