Executive Order establishing AISAC 2007
EXECUTIVE ORDER 2007-07
Re-Establishing The Arizona Invasive Species Advisory Council
WHEREAS, Arizona's land, water, and other resources face severe impacts from harmful, unwanted, invasive plant and animal species that are increasing yearly in number and area in Arizona and throughout the Southwest, including, for example, the recent discovery of quagga mussels in Lake Mead; and
WHEREAS, these impacts include ecological damange to Arizona's natural environments, economy and human health such as: (1) decreasing land productivity; (2) impairing water quality and reducing water yield; (3) increasing instances of livestock poisoning; (4) degrading fish and wildlife habitat; (5) impairing forest and rangeland health by altering natural of desired fire regimes; (6) creating disease vectors; (7) increasing allergens; (8) increasing erosion and watershed degradation; (9) altering landscapes that affect visual aesthetics; and (10) destroying agricultural crops, wetlands, waterways, and recreational areas; and
WHEREAS, prevention, early detection, rapid response, and eradication are the most effective and least costly strategies to combat new biological invaders before they expand beyond contronl; and
WHEREAS, implementation of the above strategies requires leadership by the State of Arizona and coordinatiion with federal, tribal, international, and local partners and other stakeholders; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Executive Order 2005-09, the Arizona Invasive Species Advisory Council ("AISAC") identified invasive species as an immediate threat to the State and that Council's report has put Arizona in a position to take a lead nationally in invasive species management;