The region will address invasive species (IS) issues by focusing efforts and resources on seven key
points which are:

1. Identify and staff key IS positions to implement an aggressive and effective IS program.
   Positions include, but are not limited to:
   • R4 IS Coordinator
   • R4 Regional IS Issues Team (RISIT)
   • Forest IS contact
   • Forest IS team
   • Ranger District IS contact
2. Develop and implement: 1) R4 IS Strategy, 2) Forest IS Risk Assessments, 3) Forest IS
   Management Plans, and 4) District IS Action Plans
   1. Focus management on “Priority Landscapes” and associated “Eco-region” subunits by
      protecting un-infested areas from invasive species. Emphasize prevention and early
      detection and rapid response (EDRR) with appropriate eradication tools on new
      infestations, with repeat site visits annually.
   2. Identify and manage key vector routes, such as roads, trails, and recreation sites;
      livestock and wildlife migration routes; water courses; and disturbance activities and
      areas.
   3. Apply increased bio-control management on large or inaccessible IS populations.
      Identify and support critical research and development. Develop collectible biocontrol
      agent populations and apply these resources across the region where
      appropriate conditions exist and effective agents have been identified. Acres treated
      with bio-control should double over the next 5 years.
   4. Emphasize pesticides on new invaders, vector management, satellite populations, and
      established population perimeters. Minimize IS impacts on high value areas currently

   un-infested.

3. Promote Region-wide use of weed-free materials, including but not limited to hay, straw,
   mulch and gravel, or borrow materials. Actively apply Best Management Practices (BMPs)
   and include them in permit and contract clauses. Manage priority vectors to prevent further
   spread of IS while encouraging public education, awareness, and cooperation.
   5
4. Initiate short-term “rehabilitation” considering desirable native and/or non-native seedings
   where sites are unstable. Where sites are stable but at risk and immediate establishment of
   native species can be expected, then promote long-term “restoration” of natural ecosystem
   components emphasizing native seedings.
5. As a regional emphasis, maintain National Recreation Areas free from aquatic IS. Efforts will
   focus on education, prevention, and early detection and rapid response.
6. Actively support partnership activities and new opportunities to expand effective landscape
   scale IS management. Emphasize efforts with federal agencies, states, counties, Tribes, nongovernment
   organizations (NGO’s), and Cooperative Weed Management Areas (CWMA’s).
7. Apply current business rules consistently across the Region. Emphasize consistent approach
   to pesticide accomplishments and reporting. Focus on high priority prevention, early
   detection and rapid response (EDRR), bio-control, and identify supportive business rules or
   direction to ensure competitive comparison of these tools with traditional pesticide
   accomplishments.

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