EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 30
WHEREAS, the State of Alabama is blessed with a bounty of natural resources largely unmatched by any other state; and
WHEREAS, these natural resources support a vast array of recreational, commercial, and environmental interests that are vital to the continued well being of the State and its citizens; and
WHEREAS, the sport fishing industry alone generates approximately $840 million in annual retail sales and employs close to 23,000 Alabamians; and
WHEREAS, these vital natural resources are being threatened by the increasing proliferation of aquatic nuisance species (ANS) - non-indigenous species that can destroy the balance and survival of the indigenous ecosystem; and
WHEREAS, non-indigenous species - both aquatic and terrestrial - are estimated to cause over $138 billion in environmental and economic damage each year throughout the United States and often pose a direct threat to public health; and
WHEREAS, the imminent threat to the State of Alabama must be met with a carefully coordinated defense to ensure the protection of its citizens and its natural resources from the predations of these invading aquatic nuisance species; and
WHEREAS, to achieve the necessary coordinated and rapid response by the appropriate agencies, the State of Alabama must develop and implement an Aquatic Nuisance Species Plan to reduce or eliminate the economic, public health, and ecological risks associated with ANS.
NOW THEREFORE, based upon these considerations, and for other good and valid reasons which relate thereto, I, Bob Riley, Governor of the State of Alabama, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the State of Alabama, do hereby create the "Alabama Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force" to be chaired by the Commissioner of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) or his designee, and comprised of a broad collection of bi-partisan experts from both state and non-governmental agencies.
BE IT ORDERED that the Task Force shall include the department heads or their designees, from the following State agencies:
Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Chairman
DCNR, Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division
DCNR, Marine Resources Division
DCNR, Marine Police Division
DCNR, State Lands Division
DCNR, State Parks Division
Department of Agriculture and Industries
Department of Environmental Management
Department of Economic and Community Affairs
Department of Public Health
Alabama Cooperative Extension System
Alabama State Port Authority
Geological Survey of Alabama
BE IT FURTHER ORDERED that representatives selected by the Agency Director or Chief Administrator from the following federal agencies shall be invited to join and participate in the Task Force:
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Tennessee Valley Authority
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
U.S. Coast Guard
U.S. Forestry Service
U.S. Geological Survey
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
U.S.D.A. - Animal Plant Inspection Service
BE IT FURTHER ORDERED that representatives selected by the President, Chairman or head of the following non-governmental organizations, shall be invited to join and participate in the Task Force:
Alabama Farmers Federation
Alabama Catfish Producers
Alabama Invasive Plant Council
Alabama Nurserymen's Association
Alabama Nursery and Landscape Association
Alabama Power Company
Alabama Rivers Alliance
Alabama Sea Grant
Alabama Wildlife Federation
Auburn University
B.A.S.S. Federation
Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission
Southeast Aquatic Resource Partnership
The Nature Conservancy
Mobile Bay National Estuary Program
The University of Alabama
The University of South Alabama
BE IT FURTHER ORDERED that the Task Force shall be responsible for formulating a comprehensive plan to ensure the best possible economic and environmental future of the State of Alabama.
BE IT FURTHER ORDERED that the Governor and the Chairman may elect to appoint additional and appropriate stakeholders as members at a later date if deemed necessary.
BE IT FURTHER ORDERED that this Executive Order shall become effective immediately upon its execution and shall remain in effect until amended or modified by the Governor.
DONE AND ORDERED this 2nd day of June, 2005.
Bob Riley
Governor
Attested:
Nancy L. Worley
Secretary of State
http://www.governorpress.alabama.gov/pr/ex-30-2005-06-02.asp