New legislation introduced last week by U.S. Rep. Ed Case, D-Hawaii, would authorize the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to adopt a more strategic, ecosystem-wide approach to managing emerging invasive species. 

What You Need To Know

  • The bill calls for the formal establishment of the existing Invasive Species Strike Teams program within the Department of the Interior
  • The program would work with federal, state, local and tribal governments as well as nongovernmental institutions and other organizations to identify and respond to invasive species threats within the National Wildlife Refuge System
  • The teams would adopt common standards and reporting platforms in a coordinated effort to address priority invasive species that could potentially threaten native species, alter habitats and negatively impact both human health and the economy
  • Under the bill, FWS would receive $15 million annually through 2029 to operate the program

“Hawaii in particular faces unique challenges from invasive species,” said Case, who introduced the Invasive Species Response Act along with Rep. James Moylan, R-Guam. “Its isolation has led to the evolution of many endemic species that are found nowhere else on Earth. Unfortunately, these native species often lack the defenses to compete with or resist the pressures of invasive plants and animals, which can rapidly alter ecosystems and displace local species.

“In Hawaii, invasive species have caused significant ecological damage, threatening the survival of native birds and plants,” he continued. “Protecting Hawaii’s unique biodiversity is not just an environmental necessity — it is a cultural imperative that reflects the identity and heritage of the Hawaiian people.”

The bill calls for the formal establishment of the existing Invasive Species Strike Teams program within the Department of the Interior. The program would work with federal, state, local and tribal governments as well as nongovernmental institutions and other organizations to identify and respond to invasive species threats within the National Wildlife Refuge System.

At least one strike team would be established in each FWS region. The teams would adopt common standards and reporting platforms in a coordinated effort to address priority invasive species that could potentially threaten native species, alter habitats and negatively impact both human health and the economy.

“This is an important step in controlling and eradicating invasive species and protecting America’s native wildlife, especially in our island communities,” Moylan said. “This bill provides the tools needed to continue conservation efforts, making them more effective and transparent.”

The measure was praised by the leaders of the Conservation Council for Hawaii, the National Wildlife Federation and the Center of Marine Fisheries at the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership.

Case said the Act marks a shift within the FWS from a reactive, species-by-species approach to a broader, more strategic framework for managing emerging invasive species.

“Invasive species are not just a localized problem; they pose a significant threat to the integrity of our natural world,” Case said. “Addressing this crisis requires a coordinated and comprehensive approach, focusing on prevention, early detection, and effective management strategies to safeguard our vulnerable ecosystems. The Act also mandates enhanced coordination and reporting through integrated systems and standardized procedures, ensuring transparency and enabling us to track progress with annual reports to Congress and the public.”

Under the bill, FWS would receive $15 million annually through 2029 to operate the program.

Michael Tsai covers local and state politics for Spectrum News Hawaii. He can be reached at michael.tsai@charter.com.