New Jersey Strategic Management Plan for Invasive Species (2009)

 

What is the New Jersey Strategic Management Plan for Invasive Species?

Recognizing the threats posed by non-native, invasive species, former Governor James McGreevey (2004) signed an executive order (EO 97) calling for the creation of a New Jersey Invasive Species Council (NJISC) and the development of an Invasive Species Management Plan. The NJ Strategic Management Plan for Invasive Species (NJSMPIS), finalized in 2009, laid out a comprehensive approach for managing invasive species (IS) throughout the state. Importantly, the plan encourages collaboration with a network of diverse stakeholders to track and respond to new and existing IS threats. Although the 2009 plan has been approved, New Jersey does not have an active Invasive Species Council (disbanded in 2010). State agencies and partners have since taken the initiative to move forward and work with stakeholders and continue to implement key elements of the NJSMPIS.

Our Mission

The mission set forth by the 2009 NJSMPIS is “to reduce the impacts of invasive, non-native and nuisance species to state lands and waterbodies, protect biodiversity, restore and enhance protected resources, and provide coordination and guidance for invasive species activities throughout the state”. The NJSMPIS provides tiered recommendations (Tiers I and II) to the State and its partners to achieve our mission and key objectives. Tier I recommended tasks are identified as those of highest priority, where Tier II recommendations involve a longer-term strategy (See summarized below).

 

NJ Strategic Management Plan for Invasive Species: Recommendations

New Jersey Strategic Management Plan for Invasive Species (2009)

Tier I

  • Establish a permanent New Jersey Invasive Species Council (NJISC).
  • Supplement the NJISC with members representing key federal partners.
  • Develop two-way communication mechanisms within New Jersey and between neighboring states and other invasive species entities.
  • Develop a dialogue with the Biological Risk Assessment Committee for Port Elizabeth.
  • Create an informative website with NJ-specific information, additional resources, and regional links.
  • Encourage passage of revisions to the USDA-APHIS Quarantine 37 rules (USDA APHIS | Agricultural Quarantine and Inspection (AQI) Program).
  • Seek peer-review of the DEP’s 2002 Prioritized Listing of New Jersey’s Nonindigenous Plant Species.
  • Incorporate into this effort development of a “Clean List” of nonindigenous species that are safe for planting.
  • Utilize existing statutory authority to prohibit the sale of invasive or potentially invasive plant species.
  • Enforce DEP Policy Directive 2004-02 (Appendix | PD 2004-02)
  • Continued implementation of comprehensive statewide deer management and increased hunting access on public and private lands.
  • Seek re-appropriation of the Hunters Helping the Hungry (HHH) program.
  • Using NY PRISM’s as a model (Partnerships for Regional Invasive Species Management (PRISM) – NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation), establish Cooperative Weed Management Areas (CWMAs), promote public education programs, and identify and seek federal funding to establish technical assistance for stakeholders.
  • Create a list of native plants for restoration projects and encourage the use of native ecotypes.
  • Require the incorporation of invasive species issues and ED/RR principles into the development of Community Forestry plans.
  • Encourage public/private partnerships in managing invasive species on State-owned lands.

Tier II

  • Create an efficient and effective invasive species program.
  • Coordinate a campaign to educate stakeholders and improve public awareness, reduce existing problems and minimize the risk of new invasions.
  • Prevent further intentional introductions of invasive species.
  • Reduce unintentional introductions of invasive species.
  • Develop and implement a comprehensive Early Detection/Rapid Response (ED/RR) Program.
  • Develop and implement a comprehensive program to reduce animal populations that facilitate invasive plant infestations or directly harm native animals.
  • Establish mechanisms to select the highest priority sites and species to focus control efforts across the State.
  • Implement control and restoration programs that efficiently protect priority sites and reduce impacts from the most detrimental invasive species.
  • Formulate partnerships that facilitate fundraising and cooperative invasive species control efforts.