A bipartisan effort to stem the tide of invasive species entering Alaska passed the House on a 33-2 vote. House Bill 54 would create the Alaska Invasive Species Council within the Department of Fish and Game. The council comprised of volunteer experts and stakeholder groups including tribal and non-governmental organizations, would be charged with advising the Department of Fish and Game on the best means of management, eradication, and prevention of invasive species.
Rep. Kevin McCabe said:
“Alaskans across the state know about invasive species whether it’d be elodea, pike and trout. Back in 2012, it was estimated that $6 a year was spent in Alaska to manage invasive species, could be much worse and more expensive to the state. For example, it was estimated in the U.S. that $1.5 billion a year in damage from quagga and the zebra mussel that is invading our lower 48 lakes. We’re trying to keep those out of here. An economist at the International Arctic Research Center at UAF estimates that without further prevention efforts elodea alone will cost $172 million a year for the next 50 years if we don’t get a handle on this. Prevention is much cheaper than going after it establishes itself.”
The Alaska Invasive Species Council would recommend coordinated interagency strategies and policies related to management of invasive species, including the importation, possession, and use of invasive species; classification and listing of non-native species; and management of pathways associated with transfer of invasive species. They also will recommend expenditures from the invasive species response fund and provide technical information and assistance to those engaged in regional and national invasive species management efforts.
HB 54 heads to the Senate for consideration.
Transcribed audio courtesy of KTOO 360TV.