Resolution: Partnering with National Aquatic Invasive Species Outreach Campaigns: Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers!™ and Habitattitude™
Adopted on May 04, 2006

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Whereas, the environmental and economic impacts of aquatic invasive species (AIS) continue to mount in the Great Lakes region as well as coastal and inland waters across the country; and

Whereas, a national prevention and control program has been established under federal legislation as the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act (NANPCA) in 1990, reauthorized as the National Invasive Species Act (NISA) in 1996 to stop the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species; and

Whereas, under NANPCA, the national Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force (ANSTF) has been established as a federal intergovernmental agency charged with implementing AIS prevention and control programs on a national, regional and state level; whereby the ANSTF is co-chaired by representatives of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); and

Whereas, under NANPCA, the ANS Task Force requested that the Great Lakes Commission convene the Great Lakes Panel on Aquatic Nuisance Species per Section 1203 of the Act to coordinate the prevention and control of aquatic invasive species in the Great Lakes region, including inland waters; and

Whereas, significant federal and state resources have been invested in educational outreach programs on AIS prevention and control being implemented on a state, regional and national scale to target high risk behaviors of user groups associated with AIS vectors including ballast water, recreational activities, aquarium trade, aquaculture, among others; and

Whereas, the Information/Education Committee under the Great Lakes Panel on Aquatic Nuisance Species has developed and implemented an array of outreach products to advance the prevention and control of aquatic invasions on a multijurisdictional level in the Great Lakes region; and

Whereas, two national public education/partnership campaigns have been established to optimize effectiveness of AIS outreach efforts; and

Whereas, these AIS outreach campaigns include Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers!™ (www.protectyourwaters.net) established by the national ANS Task Force and Habitattitude™ (www.habitattitude.net) created through a joint partnership between NOAA, FWS and the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council; and

Whereas, the ANS Task Force promotes membership on these campaigns from federal, state, local, and other AIS stakeholder groups, at no cost, to provide the following benefits:

• Increased effectiveness and improved communications to groups targeted for AIS prevention and control efforts
• Leveraged funding for organizational support
• Positive public relations in dealing with a priority environmental issue
• Shared ownership and a greater understanding of affected communities; and

Whereas, in joining the two national outreach campaigns as a formal partner, the Great Lakes Commission will have full access to the use of the campaign brand and cooperative marketing materials to promote AIS prevention and control among Commission members; and

Therefore Be It Resolved that the Great Lakes Commission acknowledges the value of the two national outreach campaigns to help prevent AIS introduction and spread;

Therefore Be It Further Resolved that the Great Lakes Commission is committed to collaborate with the national ANS Task Force and the Great Lakes Panel to advance AIS prevention and control in the Great Lakes as well as other regions of the country contending with similar AIS problems; and

Be It Finally Resolved that the Great Lakes Commission supports becoming a formal partner with the outreach campaigns Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers!™ and Habitattitude™.

Adopted by the Great Lakes Commission at its Semiannual Meeting, May 04, 2006, in Sheboygan, Wis.