Biosecurity protocol to reduce risks from invasive species

The following biosecurity protocol* is recommended to be incorporated into planning for your project to avoid or minimize the introduction or spread of invasive species that may harm the economy, the environment, native species, or human health. Cleaning, treatment, and/or inspection activities are the responsibility of the equipment or vehicle owner and operator. However, it is the ultimate responsibility of the action agency to ensure that all project materials, vehicles, machinery, equipment, and personnel are free of invasive species before entry into a project site. 

1. Cleaning and treatment: 

Project applicants should assume that all project materials (e.g., construction materials and aggregates such as soil, sand, and gravel), vehicles, machinery, and equipment contain dirt and mud, debris, plant seeds, and other invasive species, and therefore require thorough cleaning. Treatment for specific pests (e.g., trapping and poison baiting for rodents, baiting and fumigation for insects) should be considered when applicable. For effective cleaning, the following is recommended before entering a project site: 

1. Project materials, vehicles, machinery, and equipment must be pressure washed thoroughly (preferably with hot water) in a designated cleaning area. Project materials, vehicles, machinery, and equipment should be visibly free of mud/dirt (excluding aggregate), seeds, plant debris, insects, spiders, frogs (including frog eggs), other vertebrate species (e.g., rodents, mongoose, feral cats, reptiles), and rubbish. Areas of particular concern include bumpers, grills, hood compartments, wheel wells, undercarriage, cabs, and truck beds. Truck beds with accumulated material are prime sites for hitchhiking invasive species. 

2. The interior and exterior of vehicles, machinery, and equipment must be free of rubbish and food, which can attract pests (e.g., rodents, insects). The interiors of vehicles and the cabs of machinery should be vacuumed clean particularly for any plant material or seeds. 

2. Inspection: 

   1. Following cleaning and/or treatment, project materials, vehicles, machinery, and equipment must be visually inspected by its user, and be free of mud/dirt (excluding aggregate), debris, and invasive species prior to entry into a project site. For example, careful visual inspection of a vehicle’s tires and undercarriage is recommended for any remaining mud that could contain invasive plant seeds. 

   2. Any project materials, vehicles, machinery, or equipment found to contain invasive species (e.g., plant seeds, invertebrates, rodents, mongoose, cats, reptiles, etc.) must not enter the project site until those invasive species are properly removed/treated. 

3. For all project site personnel: 

   1. Prior to entry into the project site, visually inspect and clean your clothes, boots or other footwear, backpack, radio harness, tools and other personal gear and equipment for insects, seeds, soil, plant parts, or other debris. We recommend the use of a cleaning brush with sturdy bristles. Seeds found on clothing, footwear, backpacks, etc., should be placed in a secure bag or similar container and discarded in the trash rather than being dropped to ground at the project site or elsewhere. 

4. Additional considerations: 

   1. Consider implementing a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) plan (https://www.fws.gov/program/hazard-analysis-and-critical-control-point-planning-prevent-spread-invasive-species) to better reduce the risk of introducing or spreading invasive species. 

   2. When applicable, use pest-free or low-risk sources of plants, mulch, wood, animal feed or other materials to be transported to a project site. 

   3. For projects involving plants from nurseries (e.g., out-planting activities), all plants should be inspected, and if necessary, appropriately cleaned or treated for invasive species prior to being transported to the project site. 

   4. Avoid unnecessary exposure to invasive species at a particular site (to the extent practical) to reduce contamination and spread. For example, if your project involves people or equipment moving between multiple locations, plan and organize timelines so that work is completed in native habitat prior to working in a disturbed location to reduce the likelihood of introducing a pest into the native habitat.

   5. Maintain good communication about invasive species risks between project managers and personnel working on the project site (e.g., conduct briefings and trainings about invasive species). Ensure prevention measures are communicated to the entire project team. Also consider adding language on biosecurity into contracts or permitting mechanisms to provide clarity to all involved in the project. Report any species of concern or possible introduction of invasive species to appropriate land managers. 

*These protocols were modified from those developed by the Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office (PIFWO) of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.