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<br />OQ2'i83 <br /> <br />Canadian governments about introduction of the exotic zebra mussel and other <br />nonnative aquatic species were largely the result of economic hardships to the power <br />industry and other parties. This act was the first major Federal initiative designed to <br />stop or slow the invasion of nonnative species into the waters of the United States and <br />Canada. Objectives of the NIS Act include: to prevent unintentional introductions of <br />nonnative species; to coordinate federally conducted research, prevention, and other <br />activities for aquatic nuisance species; to develop and initiate environmentally sound <br />control measures to prevent, monitor and control introductions of nonnative species; <br />and for other purposes. <br /> <br />The Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force (ANSTF) was established by the NIS <br />Act and given the task of identifying and recommending measures for the control of <br />aquatic nuisance species (i.e., a nonnative species whose presence threatens native <br />species and their aquatic ecosystems). The ANSTF was also instructed (Section 1207) <br />to identify and evaluate ways for reducing adverse impacts caused by intentional <br />introductions of aquatic organisms, and to submit a report on the findings. The ANSTF <br />(1994) found that most nonnative species constitute a threat to the maintenance of <br />biodiversity that is "vastly under recognized". <br /> <br />Lacey Act <br /> <br />The Lacey Act (as amended in 1981) makes it illegal to import, export, transport, <br />acquire, purchase, or sell fish, wildlife, or plants that were taken, possessed, <br />transported or sold in violation of US or Tribal Law. The act also makes international or <br />interstate transport of wildlife taken, possessed, or sold in violation of foreign or state <br />law illegal. This law covers all species protected by the Convention on International <br />Trade in Endangered Species, the Endangered Species Act, and by state law. In <br />addition, the act discourages the introduction of "injurious' species, such as the zebra <br />mussel. <br /> <br />The Lacey Act does not provide adequate protection for natural ecosystems <br />(Kurdila 1988), and it has other shortcomings that limit its effectiveness (USOT~", ~ <br />1993). The USOTA report includes recommendations that could strengthen th~ <br />Lacey Act to further protect against introductions of nonnative species" <br /> <br />Executive Orders and Policy Statements <br /> <br />Regulations for effective implementation of the NIS Act have yet to be finalized. <br />However, Executive Order 11987 (Sections 2a,b) states that Federal executive <br />agencies shall, to the maximum extent possible, restrict the introduction of nonnative <br />species into natural ecosystem on lands and waters that they own, lease, or administer, <br />and shall restrict the introduction of these species into any natural ecosystem of the <br />United States, Although,there has been no rulemaking on the NIS Act (ANSTF 1994), <br /> <br />15 <br />