WHEREAS, California is the largest agricultural producer in the United States with more than 400 different agricultural commodities that are grown statewide; and

WHEREAS, California maintains more than 270 state parks, representing nearly 1.4 million acres, with over 280 miles of coastline, 625 acres of lake and river frontage, and 3,000 miles of hiking, biking, and equestrian trails; and

WHEREAS, California has more than 1,000 lakes that provide habitat for fish and wildlife, support recreational activities, and distribute water to farmland and cities across the state; and

WHEREAS, California has had more than 13.4 million international visitors in 2008; and

WHEREAS, California has 11 ports, more than 900 airports, and 29 highways allowing access into the state for persons and invasive species; and

WHEREAS, Invasive species pose a serious threat to California’s natural habitat, its farms and ranches, and its economy and public health; and

WHEREAS, Due to the increase in invasive species in our state, the Secretary of Food and Agriculture, the Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency, the Secretary for Environmental Protection, the Secretary of California Emergency Management, the Secretary of California Health and Human Services, and the Secretary of Business, Transportation and Housing formed the Invasive Species Council of California (ISCC) that represents the highest level of leadership and coordination for this issue in state government. Under the auspices of the ISCC, the California Invasive Species Advisory Committee (CISAC) was formed and is comprised of diverse stakeholders. The CISAC developed a list of invasive species threatening California and is in the process of developing a strategic action plan.

WHEREAS, Invasive species disrupt areas they invade, damaging crops, altering wildfire intensity and frequency, and costing millions of dollars in treatments by industry and government;; now, therefore, be it