Noxious Weeds and Invasive Species Management

United States Department of the Interior
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
Alaska State Office
222 West Seventh Avenue, #13
Anchorage, Alaska 99513-7504
http://www.blm.gov/ak

In Reply Refer To:
2010 (93113) P

November 5, 2010

Instruction Memorandum No. AK-2010- 001
Expires: 09/30/11

To: All Employees

From: State Director

Subject: State Invasive Weed Policy

Program Area: Noxious Weeds and Invasive Species Management

Purpose: The purpose of this Instruction Memorandum (IM) is to formally establish a new BLM-Alaska policy regarding the noxious weed management program.

Policy/Action: The BLM-Alaska relies on its managers and employees to ensure that responsibilities, records maintenance and good communication related to invasive weeds occur to allow for successful implementation of this new policy. This policy explains the BLM-Alaska’s priorities for weed treatments and the use of an integrated approach to weed management. Specific individual duties and responsibilities for employees are shown in Section .04 on page 4 of the attachment.

Timeframe: This IM is effective immediately.

Budget Impact: Minimum budget impacts are anticipated with the implementation of this Policy.

Background: This IM establishes BLM-Alaska policy concerning the coordination and management of invasive species actions on public lands within the State. This includes other resource management activities of the BLM, other organizations and individuals and their actions on public lands. Based primarily on the BLM Manual 9015 - Integrated Weed Management, this document is in furtherance of BLM responsibilities mandated by the legislation identified below in Authority and the BLM manual sections and other guidance, listed under the reference section below.

The primary goal is to protect the environment with effective prevention, management and treatment strategies of invasive species that cross-cut most functional areas.

Manual/Handbook Sections Affected: This IM is compatible with guidance found in Integrated Weed Management (9015) Manuals and Handbooks.

Coordination: Regular coordination between the District weed team members, Field Office resource area staff, other BLM-Alaska organizational units, and non-BLM partners as well other divisions is a necessary part of an effective weed management program. The potential affect on weed spread or the density of existing populations will be considered in all management actions.

Contact: Individuals seeking additional information on the contents of this IM should contact Paul Krabacher, Vegetation Program Lead, 907-271-3266 or your district manager.

Signed by:
Julia Dougan
State Director (Acting)

Authenticated by:
Anita R. Jette
Records Specialist