The Healthy Habitats Coalition (HHC) promotes conservation of the nation’s natural resources and economic interests by efficient management of invasive species thus curtailing the associated harm. Through state and federal leadership, HHC seeks legislation and appropriations that improves private, local, state, and federal land managers with on-the-ground control tools.
HHC is a committee under the North American Weed Management Association and recently, with considerable efforts from 16 state teams, over 1/3 of congress was approached with the HHC’s solution to jump starting invasive control programs: the five asks.
1. Over five years, federal land management agencies shall increase their on-the-ground control obligation by fivefold and decrease current infested acres by 25%. In examining federal agency budgets for invasive species, HHC has determined that 5-7% of every dollar is actually used on-the-ground. For example, if $500,000 has been allocated for invasive weeds, about $25000 is used for actual control. HHC is asking for better fiscal accountability from agencies.
2. Federal agencies shall provide a state pass through fund assessed at 25 cents on each state’s federally managed acre. A state entity shall submit a request for this critical pool of money based on a consistent set of criteria with a measurable control strategy to reduce current infestation levels or stop new invasions on any land in the state. Federal funds may be passed to the governor annually. 70% of the funds shall be utilized for on-the-ground control to manage taxes as prioritized by the state. Money may be appropriated directly to state Invasive species programs in order to maximize impact and avoid costly overhead. An example of “re-directing” federal dollars may be to examine Grants.gov as HHC has been told not all of those funds are expended in a year. In Montana, it is estimated this would amount to 6.8 million dollars for invasive management.
3. To stop the conduit for invasive species spread, the FHWA should authorize a line item at $300 per state center line mile of highway. Annual funds shall pass to each state DOT Maintenance Section as authorized in Section 329 of the 2005 SAFETEA Reauthorization Act to improve control, stop introductions and/or educate the public about invasive harm. In Montana, it is estimated this would amount to 1.2 million dollars for invasive management.
4. Each state should develop and implement an invasive species plan and law to receive and manage invasive species funding with control tactics equivalent to Montana or Idaho laws.
5. States are encouraged to work in regional and national concert to educate the public through television and social media methods in metro areas. To reduce redundancy, all natural resource management agencies, state/local governments, universities, nonprofit organizations, industry, and the private sector should collaborate to form partnerships to protect land and water assets and resources.
These five asks have been supported in the Western Governors Association through resolution and by the National Department of Agriculture Association. Your Montana state team consists of Montana Department of Ag Weed Coordinator, Dave Burch, dburch@mt.gov, Montana Weed Control Association MACo Representative, Dave Schulz, dschulz@madison.mt.gov and Montana Weed Control Association Executive Director, Becky Kington, becky.kington@mtweed.org. Please contact any of these individuals for more information.