Georgia Invasive Species Task Force
The Georgia Invasive Species Task Force is comprised of the Georgia Department of Agriculture, the Georgia Forestry Commission, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, and the University of Georgia.
These state agencies have legislative authority and/or mandates for action for invasive species detection and response as well as long-established relationships with other state and federal agencies. When exotic pests are detected, each agency has clear responsibilities within the Incident Command System (ICS) and their actions depend upon the invasive species detected and their role within the task force.
Our Eight Objectives
- Coordinate local, state, regional, federal, and international activities and programs pertaining to invasive species in Georgia.
- Control and manage the introduction and spread of invasive species in Georgia through education and outreach.
- Prevent the establishment of invasive species populations in Georgia through early detection and rapid response programs.
- Control or eradicate established invasive species in Georgia through cooperative management activities designed to minimize impacts on non-target species.
- Monitor the distribution and impacts of invasive species in Georgia to determine management priorities.
- Identify and implement needed research on impacts and control of invasive species in Georgia.
- Prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species in Georgia through legislative and regulatory efforts.
- Secure adequate long-term funding for invasive species programs in Georgia.
Signatories
Other Cooperators
State Agencies
Georgia has a number of programs, agencies, and organizations that address both established and potential ANS, and combine education, regulation, prevention, detection, and control actions as the needed basis for managing all invasive species. State Agency and Organization Activities
- Georgia Department of Agriculture
- Georgia Department of Human Resources: Division of Public Health
- Georgia Department of Natural Resources
- Georgia Department of Transportation: Office of Environment and Location
- Georgia Forestry Commission
- University of Georgia
Federal Agencies
The growing challenges posed by invasive species and the role of the federal government in coordination and regulation of activities that span state or international borders have prompted Congress to authorize a number of specific actions concerning invasive species management. While no single federal agency has authority over all aspects of invasive species management, many agencies have programs and responsibilities that address aspects of the problem, such as importation, interstate transport, prevention, exclusion, control, and eradication.
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps)
- U.S.Department of Agriculture (USDA) – Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service – Plant Protection & Quarantine (APHIS PPQ)
- U.S. Department of Agriculture – Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS)
- U.S. Department of Commerce – National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
- U.S. Department of the Interior – U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and USFWS Region 4
- U.S. Department of the Interior – National Park Service (NPS)
- U.S. Department of Transportation – U.S. Coast Guard
Nongovernmental Organizations
Interest generated from state and federal policy also stimulates action by non-governmental organizations. This section describes actions and programs involving invasive species management activities carried out by various organizations in Georgia.