texasstatecomprehensivemanagementplan.docVIP

TEXAS STATE COMPREHENSIVE MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR AQUATIC NUISANCE SPECIES ? ? Waterhyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) on the Rio Grande Draft for review and comment July 2006  TABLE OF CONTENTS ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? 1) Executive Summary ? 2) Introduction ? 3) Non-indigenous Aquatic Nuisance Species background 4) Pathways of non-native aquatic introductions 5) Management Actions ??? Goal 1 ? ??? Goal 2 ??? Goal 3 Goal 4 Goal 5 Goal 6 6) Implementation ? FY 05 Tasks FY 06 Tasks 8) Monitoring 9) Evaluation 10) Feedback 11) Oversight 12) Reporting 13) Glossary 14) Literature Cited 15) Appendices A. Texas and its Waterways B. Exotic Species Regulations C. State Aquatic Vegetation Management Plan D. Job Description, ANS Coordinator E. TPWD Monitoring Efforts I. Costal Resources Surveys II. Commercial Landing Surveys III. Creel Surveys IV. Freshwater Fish Surveys V. Freshwater Habitat Surveys ? EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Texas State Comprehensive Management Plan for Aquatic Nuisance Species approaches the subject of aquatic nuisance species from the natural resources management perspective. This plan was written by Dr. Earl Chilton, Lance Robinson and Robert Howells of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), and was patterned after a Model Plan provided by the Great Lakes Panel, as well as information from various states that have already developed plans. This plan primarily addresses the control and management of aquatic nuisance species introduced into Texas’ water either unintentionally, without permitted approval, and/or illegally. Non-indigenous species are plants and animals found beyond their natural ranges. Some are highly beneficial. Most U.S. crops and domesticated animals, many sport fish and aquaculture species, numerous horticultural plants and most biological control organisms have origin