Document Type

Article

Publication Date

6-2015

Subjects

Aquatic non-indigenous species, Habitat modification, Invasive aquatic organisms

Abstract

The Oregon Invasive Species Council (OISC – “Council” is also used in this report) was established by the Oregon Legislature in 2001 [ORS 570.750, formerly 561.687]. In partnership with a broad group of state, federal and local agencies, non-profit organizations, industry representatives and individuals, the Council created and maintains the means for citizens to report sightings of invasive species and a process by which this information is forwarded to appropriate agencies; works to increase citizen engagement and awareness of invasive issues; conducts educational meetings and conferences; and, administers a trust account for funding eradication and educational projects.

In 2014, the Institute for Natural Resources (INR) was asked to assist the OISC Coordinator in conducting a review of the OISC. The purpose of the review was to provide a critical examination of the OISC mission as originally established by the state legislature, activities, funding and governance structure, and to provide recommendations for improvement of OISC efficacy. When the OISC Coordinator position fell vacant that role in the review was taken up by staff at the Center for Lakes and Reservoirs (CLR) at Portland State University.

INR and the CLR took on different roles within the review. The review consisted of: (1) semi structured interviews/conversations with the directors of the state natural resource agencies directors participating in the OISC (INR); (2) semi-structured interviews/conversations with stakeholders and other members of the OISC (CLR); (3) the collection and review of relevant OISC documents (INR, CLR); and (4) conversations with other invasive species councils around the West (CLR]).

Purpose and Organization of the Report: The purpose of this report is to describe and highlight salient features and results of the review of the OISC. Section 1 provides a history of the OISC. Sections 2 and 3 highlight the aggregated results of the interviews conducted with state natural resource agency directors (Section 2) and stakeholders (Section 3). Examples of how other invasive species councils in the western US operate are presented in Section 4. And Section 5 highlights recommendations. The recommendations presented in Section 5 are meant to stimulate discussion, and are not considered by the project team to be the definitive options available the OISC.

Description

Final Report submitted to The Oregon Invasive Species Council and the Oregon Department of Agriculture

Persistent Identifier

http://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/22758

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