Managed Relocation: Reducing the Risk of Biological Invasion

Authors

Edward E. Clark Jr., Wildlife Center of Virginia
Dan Simberloff, University of Tennessee
Mark Schwartz, University of California at Davis
Brent Stewart, Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute
John Peter Thompson, Maryland Nursery and Landscape Association

Date of this Version

12-6-2017

Citation

Invasive Species Advisory Committee, final report, December 6, 2017

Also available at https://www.doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/files/uploads/isac_managed_relocation_white_paper.pdf

Comments

United States government work

Abstract

Key Finding

Any organism that is relocated to a novel ecosystem has the potential to become an invasive species or spread “hitching” invasive species, or both. Managed Relocation is not congruent with Executive Order 13112 to the extent that it might facilitate “economic or environmental harm or harm to human, animal, or plant health.” Consequently, the actions by federal agencies or those entities supported by federal funding to engage in managed relocation need to be addressed in a manner consistent with EO 13751 Section 3(3), which compels Agencies to:

Refrain from authorizing, funding, or implementing actions that are likely to cause or promote the introduction, establishment, or spread and invasive species in the United States, unless pursuant to guidelines that it has prescribed, the agency has determined and made public its determination that the benefits of such actions clearly outweigh the potential harm caused by invasive species; and that all feasible and prudent measures to minimize risk of harm will be taken in conjunction with these actions.