The Aquatic Nuisance Species Research Program (ANSRP) of the U.S. Army Engineer Research & Development Center (ERDC) was established to address all invasive aquatic animals, as well as, harmful algae species that are problematic to the nation's waterways, infrastructure, and associated resources. Invasive species cost the public more than $137 billion annually. Zebra mussels alone cost the public more than $1 billion annually and have been discovered in lakes and rivers west of the 100th meridian.
More than 100 nuisance species are introduced to U.S. waters annually. Many of these species have the potential to impact facility operations and threaten valued native species diversity. Because the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is responsible for the Operation and Management of water resources projects on navigable waters and associated resources, it must develop effective, inexpensive methods of prevention and control of aquatic nuisance species to reduce impacts on public facilities and to protect valuable natural resources.
The ANSRP provides USACE managers and operational personnel with innovative technologies regarding risk assessment, prevention strategies, species history/ecological data, and cost-effective, environmentally sound options for managing aquatic nuisance species. It was authorized by the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act (NANPCA) of 1990 and then reauthorized in 1996 with the National Invasive Species Act (NISA).
The goals of ANSRP are supported by Executive Order 13112 of 1999 to prevent the introduction of invasive species, provide rapid response to invasions, monitor invasive species populations, conduct invasive species research and develop management technologies, and educate the public about invasive species. In 2009, USACE issued an Invasive Species Policy to establish a consistent, nationwide policy that will be applied to all Civil Works projects and programs that compliments the National Invasive Species Act. In 2016, Executive Order 13751 was issued to safeguard the nation from the impacts of invasive species by continuing to coordinate Federal prevention and control efforts related to invasive species.
