Section 1203(c) of the nonindigenous aquatic nuisance prevention and control act of 1990 (as amended, 1996) (nanpca) requires that the aquatic nuisance species (ANS) task force encourage the…

Section 1203(c) of the nonindigenous aquatic nuisance prevention and control act of 1990 (as amended, 1996) (nanpca) requires that the aquatic nuisance species (ANS) task force encourage the development and use of the participation and advice from regional panels. In 1998, the ANS task force addressed concerns regarding the geographic scope of regional panels by proposing a configuration of seven geographic areas. The northeast was identified at that time as a geographic area for panel representation. The northeast aquatic nuisance species panel (neans panel) of the aquatic nuisance species task force was approved in july 2001. Pursuant to section 1203 of nanpca, the neans panel advises and makes recommendations to the aquatic nuisance species take force on issues relating to the northeast region of the united states. The neans panel is composed of representatives from agencies and other organizations from the states of connecticut, maine, massachusetts, new hampshire, new york, rhode island, and vermont and as observers from the canadian provinces of new brunswick, nova scotia, quebec, and prince edward island. Since its formation, the panel has hosted twenty-eight semi-annual meetings, monthly (or as needed) steering committee conference calls, two rapid response workshops, two volunteer monitoring workshops, one social-based marketing workshop, and two steering committee retreats. The neans panel will continue to invite representatives from federal, state, and local agencies academia and private environmental and commercial interests to: 1) identify priorities for the northeast region relative to aquatic nuisance species 2) make recommendations to the ANS task force regarding programs to carry out section 1202 of the napca (as amended, 1996) 3) assist the ANS task force in coordinating federal ANS program activities in the northeast region 4) coordinate, where possible, ANS program activities in the northeast region that are not conducted pursuant to the nanpca (as amended, 1996) 5) provide advice to public and private individuals and entities concerning methods of preventing and controlling ANS infestations and 6) submit annually a report to the ANS task force describing activities within the northeast region related to ANS prevention, research, and control.to address ANS concerns effectively within the northeast region, the neans panel has created a framework of approaches with committees and workgroups to approach invasive species issues through communication, education, and outreach policy and legislation shipping and science and technology.