The Observer, July 2006
New umbrella organization forming to take on Alaska’s invasive species
The citizens’ council will participate in a new group being formed to combat the invasion of Alaska by non-indigenous species of plants and animals.
The issue has long been a council concern, because of the risk harmful species could be carried to Alaska in oil-tanker ballast water. The water is discharged into Prince William Sound so the tankers can take on North Slope crude at Valdez.
A citizens’ council trapping program checks for the presence in Alaska of the green crab, shown here.
The Alaska Invasive Species Working Group is being formed by several organizations already interested in the invasive species problem. They are expected to include several state and federal agencies, the citizens’ councils for Cook Inlet and Prince William Sound, environmental groups, Alaska Native groups, and even private firms such as Alyeska Pipeline Service Co.
The Prince William Sound Regional Citizens’ Advisory Council has been active on the issue since 1996, and currently operates a trapping program to check for the green crab, a non-indigenous species that has already invaded several West Coast ports. The council’s program is managed by Lisa Ka’aihue, director of administration.
“We see this as a way to better coordinate our various research and policy efforts, as well as a venue to share information about invasive species,” Ka’aihue said.
While the citizens’ council focuses on marine invasive species, the new group will focus on all types of invaders, whether land- or sea-based.
The first steps to form the group were taken at an Anchorage workshop in April. At present, a Memorandum of Understanding is being developed that lays out the membership of the group and its functions, with another organizational meeting scheduled for October.
For more information, contact Michele Hebert at the University of Alaska Fairbanks at 907-474-2423 or ffmah@uaf.edu.