(2)__One representative of the National Park Service assigned to Acadia National Park;

(3)__One representative of the United States Department of Agriculture;

(4)__One representative of the United States Forest Service; and

(5)__One representative of the Natural Resources Conservation Service within the United States Department of Agriculture.

C.__Nine members represent the public and are appointed by the Governor:

(1)__One representative of commercial tree and garden nurseries;

(2)__One representative of home gardeners;

(3)__One representative of municipal government;

(4)__One representative of a statewide sportsperson's association;

(5)__One representative of a statewide outdoor recreation group; and

(6)__ Four public members who have demonstrated experience or interest in the area of fish and wildlife threats posed by aquatic and terrestrial invasive or exotic species.

2.__Terms; chair.__Members representing state and federal agencies serve ex officio until replaced.__Members appointed by the Governor serve 4-year terms, except that, of the initial appointments, 4 must be for 3 years, including 2 of the public members, and 4 must be for 4 years, including the other 2 public members.__Members serve until their successors are appointed and qualified.__A vacancy must be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term.__The__position of chair must rotate annually among the state agency members.

3.__Duties.__The task force shall:

A.__Coordinate enforcement of importation and transportation of invasive and exotic species controls;

B.__Develop a monitoring and educational program;

C.__Develop a comprehensive policy on fish stocking and introduction of nonnative plant species;

D.__Provide for a statewide inventory of aquatic and terrestrial invasive and exotic species;

E.__Encourage the cooperation of state, provincial, federal and nongovernmental agencies in the area of invasive and exotic species control; and

F.__Determine and make recommendations to the Legislature whether a regulatory program is necessary to control the introduction of invasive and exotic species in the State.

4.__Staff.__The department shall provide staff support.__Other state agencies and the University of Maine System shall also provide assistance when requested.

SUMMARY

This bill establishes a permanent Interagency Task Force on Aquatic and Terrestrial Invasive and Exotic Species.