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Sponsored by: Oates
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
RESOLUTION 2010 -008
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SEWARD, ALASKA, SUPPORTING FORMATION OF A
STATEWIDE INVASIVE SPECIES ADVISORY COUNCIL
WHEREAS, invasive species have proven worldwide to be a threat to natural resources
and economies by competing with native species, crops, degrading fish and wildlife habitat and
decreasing property values; and
WHEREAS, plants, animals, fish and invertebrates introduced into an environment
devoid of their natural predators can irreversibly destroy an ecosystem, including local
ecosystems such as Resurrection Bay thereby impacting the natural environment and economy
essential to the health and well being of the community of Seward; and
WHEREAS, Alaska suffers the effects of invasive Atlantic salmon, pike, reed canary
grass, Japanese knotweed, Canadian thistle, orange hawkweed, spotted knapweed and garlic
mustard among others; and
WHEREAS, managing invasive species when they are in small incipient populations is
the most cost effective way to prevent damage to resources and the economy; and
WHEREAS, Alaska is not isolated as it receives significant amounts of air, sea and land
traffic, all potential vectors for transporting invasive species; and
WHEREAS, other states have established Invasive Species Councils to provide affected
stakeholders a cooperative, comprehensive and integrated means of communicating, prioritizing
action, planning and coordinating efforts toward prevention and management of invasive species;
and
WHEREAS, a council's coordinated approach will serve many essential functions in
advancing invasive species management including compatibility of collected data, enhanced
education and outreach associated with invasive species, identifying shared priorities and
avoiding duplication of efforts; and
WHEREAS, Alaska has a unique opportunity to be proactive and work collaboratively
to reduce the introduction of new species and manage efforts related to species that have already
entered the state; and
WHEREAS, states with invasive species councils are likely to be more successful in
�"" securing federal funding; and
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
RESOLUTION 2010 -008
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WHEREAS, a statewide council coordinating with federal partners will bring success to
minimizing the impacts of invasive species in Alaska; and
WHEREAS, funding spent on a council will pay dividends in the significant amount of
money not spent on managing weeds, pests and aquatic invaders;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA, that:
Section 1. Seward City Council supports the formation of a state -wide advisory council
within the Governor's Office to advise the Governor, other policy makers and management in
the development of a strategic plan implemented to prevent and control invasive species by
coordinating efforts, prioritizing actions, streamlining management of associated challenges,
identifying information gaps and implementing early detection and rapid response plans.
Section 2. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption.
PASSED AND APPROVED by the City Council of the City of Seward, Alaska, this
25 day of January, 2010.
THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
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Willard E. Dunham, Mayor
AYES: Valdatta, Bardarson, Smith, Keil, Shafer, Amberg, Dunham
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
ATTEST:
JM . Lewi . C _ : ::s
thAy Clerk 4 0.' OF S, � � a ° ) s..
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(City Seal) s °•
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Council Agenda Statement
Meeting Date: January 25, 2010 a of sett,
From: Phillip Oates, City Manager `
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Agenda Item: Support for State -wide Invasive Species
Advisory Council
BACKGROUND & JUSTIFICATION:
Invasive species have proven worldwide to be a threat to natural resources and economies,
competing with native species, crops, degrading fish and wildlife habitat and decreasing property
values. Plants, animals, fish and invertebrates introduced into an environment devoid of their
natural predators can irreversibly destroy an ecosystem, including local ecosystems such as
Resurrection Bay thereby impacting the natural environment and economy essential to the health
and well being of the community of Seward. Alaska has a unique opportunity to be proactive and
work collaboratively to reduce the introduction of new species and manage efforts related to
species that have already entered the state.
To date Alaska suffers the effects of invasive Atlantic salmon, pike, reed canary grass, Japanese
knotweed, Canadian thistle, orange hawkweed, spotted knapweed and garlic mustard to name a
few. Alaska is not isolated, receiving significant amounts of air, sea and land traffic, all potential
vectors for transporting invasive species.
Worldwide estimated annual costs attributable to destruction of resources and ecosystems
services by invasive species and costs to prevent spread of and mitigate damages by invasive
species are estimated at $1.4 trillion. Alaska must do all it can to prevent the introduction of
invasive species and have the ability to respond rapidly. The creation of a State -wide advisory
council to manage invasive species when they are in small incipient populations is the most cost
effective way to prevent damage to resources and the economy and improve response to these
increasingly occurring situations
Dedicated citizens and agency experts including staff of the Alaska SeaLife Center, UA- Seward
Marine Center, and Kenai Fjords National Park have started this work and are beginning to affect
change however overarching policy directives are needed from the Governor's office.
Other states have established Invasive Species Councils to provide affected stakeholders a
cooperative, comprehensive and integrated means of communicating, prioritizing action, planning
and coordinating efforts toward prevention and management of invasive species.
States with invasive species councils are likely to be more successful in securing federal funding, and
will likely coordinate more effectively with Federal Partners on this problem
The coordinated approach of a statewide advisory council will serve many essential functions in
advancing invasive species management including compatibility of collected data, enhanced education
and outreach associated with invasive species, identifying shared priorities and avoiding duplication of
efforts.
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The advisory council should include representatives of the Department ofFish and Game, Department
of Natural Resources, Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, Department of
Environmental Conservation, Department of Health and Social Services as well as the Department of
Commerce, Community and Economic Development in addition to a 9 member appointed body
representing soil and water conservation districts, a conservation organization, commercial
agriculture, commercial horticulture and landscaping, commercial fishing, commercial shipping,
University agriculture research and outreach, a Native corporation and a public member.
CONSISTENT WITH COMPREHENSIVE PLAN: Yes
ATTORNEY REVIEW: No
FISCAL NOTE: ‘ild„t
Approved by Finance Department
RECOMMENDATION: Council approves Resolution 2010 -(. supporting the creation ofa state-
wide advisory council within the Governor's Office to advise the Governor, other policy makers and
management in the development of a strategic plan implemented to prevent and control invasive
species by coordinating efforts, prioritizing actions, streamlining management of associated
challenges, identifying information gaps and implementing early detection and rapid response plans.
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