Notice2026-01873
Agency Information Collection Activities; Interjurisdictional Invasive Species Rapid Response Team Program
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
January 30, 2026
Issuing agencies
Interior DepartmentFish and Wildlife Service
Abstract
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are proposing a new information collection.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 20 (Friday, January 30, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 20 (Friday, January 30, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4093-4095]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-01873]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[Docket No. FWS-HQ-NWRS-2025-1397; FXRS126109WSMU-267-FF09R24000; OMB
Control Number 1018-NEW]
Agency Information Collection Activities; Interjurisdictional
Invasive Species Rapid Response Team Program
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of information collection; request for comment.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA),
we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are proposing a new
information collection.
DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before
March 31, 2026.
ADDRESSES: Send your comments on the information collection request
(ICR) by one of the following methods (please reference 1018-IInSRR in
the subject line of your comments):
<bullet> Internet (preferred): <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>. Follow
the instructions for submitting comments on Docket No. FWS-HQ-NWRS-
2025-1397.
<bullet> Email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#83caede5ecdcc0ecefefc3e5f4f0ade4ecf5"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e9a0878f86b6aa868585a98f9e9ac78e869f">[email protected]</span></a>.
<bullet> U.S. mail: Service Information Collection Clearance
Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 5275 Leesburg Pike, MS: PRB
(JAO/3W), Falls Church, VA 22041-3803.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Madonna L. Baucum, Service Information
Collection Clearance Officer, by email at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e2ab8c848dbda18d8e8ea2849591cc858d94"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="fdb4939b92a2be929191bd9b8a8ed39a928b">[email protected]</span></a>, or by
telephone at (703) 358-2503. Individuals in the United States who are
deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability may dial
711 (TTY, TDD, or TeleBraille) to access telecommunications relay
services. Individuals outside the United States should use the relay
services offered within their country to make international calls to
the point-of-contact in the United States.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction
Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) and its implementing regulations at 5 CFR
part 1320, all information collections require approval. We may not
conduct or sponsor, and you are not required to respond to, a
collection of information unless it displays a currently valid Office
of Management and Budget (OMB) control number.
As part of our continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent
burdens, we are again inviting the public and other Federal agencies to
comment on new, proposed, revised, and continuing collections of
information. This helps us assess the impact of our information
collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. It
also helps the public understand our information collection
requirements and provide the requested data in the desired format.
We are especially interested in public comment addressing the
following:
(1) Whether or not the collection of information is necessary for
the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including
whether or not the information will have practical utility;
(2) The accuracy of our estimate of the burden for this collection
of information, including the validity of the methodology and
assumptions used;
(3) Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the
information to be collected; and
(4) How might the agency minimize the burden of the collection of
information on those who are to respond, including through the use of
appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological
collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g.,
permitting electronic submission of response.
Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of
public record. Before including your address, phone number, email
address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you
should be aware that your entire comment--including your personal
identifying information--may be publicly available at any time. While
you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying
information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be
able to do so.
Abstract: The Department of the Interior (DOI) developed the
conceptual foundation for an Interjurisdictional Invasive Species Rapid
Response Team (IInSRRT) in 2023. Key authorities and
[[Page 4094]]
frameworks authorizing the IInSRRT include:
1. Executive Order (E.O.) 13112 (as amended by E.O. 13751)--This
order directs Federal agencies, including DOI, to prevent the
introduction of invasive species, detect and respond rapidly to new
invasions, and control and eradicate established invasive species. It
also mandates restoration of native species and habitats impacted by
invasives.
2. National Invasive Species Council (NISC)--DOI is a leading
member of NISC, which coordinates federal efforts to address invasive
species. The Council provides national leadership and policy guidance
to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of federal responses.
3. The Fish and Wildlife Act (16 U.S.C. 742a-742k)--This law
establishes a policy for fish, shellfish, and wildlife resources in the
U.S. It protects and directs their management to support sustainable
use and prevent over-exploitation.
4. The National Invasive Species Act of 1996 (16 U.S.C. 4701 et
seq.)--This law prevents the introduction and spread of nonindigenous
aquatic nuisance species into the waters of the U.S. through mandated
regulations.
5. DOI Invasive Species Strategic Plan (2021-2025)--This strategic
plan outlines DOI's vision and coordinated approach to managing
invasive species across its bureaus. It emphasizes prevention, early
detection, rapid response, control, and restoration, while promoting
collaboration with Federal, State, Tribal, and private partners.
6. Bureau-Specific Authorities--Each DOI bureau (e.g., U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service)
has specific mandates and operational authority to manage invasive
species on the lands and waters they oversee. These efforts include
prevention, control, eradication, and restoration activities across
more than 500 million acres of public lands.
7. Cross-Agency Coordination--DOI works closely with other Federal
agencies (e.g., U.S. Department of Agriculture and Department of
Defense), State and Tribal governments, Territorial governments, and
nongovernmental partners to implement invasive species management
strategies and share resources.
Efforts are now underway to put that concept into action. An
IInSRRT coordinator will work across the DOI and with partners to
further develop and implement the program for nationally significant
incidents warranting rapid response.
Rapid response to an early detection of an invasive species is one
of the most effective ways to prevent these invasive species from
becoming established and causing costly, long-term harm. Rapid response
is defined as a process employed to eradicate the founding population
of a non-native species from a specific location before it begins to
reproduce or spreads so widely that eradication is no longer feasible.
Capacity and funding to undertake rapid response can be limiting
factors in implementing rapid response actions.
The purpose of the IInSRRT program is to build capacity for rapid
response. The scope includes responding to new high-risk invasions of
national significance or to species that have made a significant
spatial jump from currently established locations, as appropriate to
the DOI mission, and across multiple jurisdictions within DOI
authorities. The program will increase resources available to support
rapid response actions through interjurisdictional deployment teams and
Incident Command System support. Importantly, this program builds on
successful rapid response models within DOI such as the Service's
Invasive Species Strike Teams and the National Park Service's Invasive
Plant Management Teams while supporting work on and off DOI managed
lands as requested by the lead resource management entity.
Response efforts will target new introductions to the U.S.,
including Alaska, Hawaii, and US territories, with a focus on aquatic
and terrestrial invasive plants and animals that threaten
nonagricultural systems. The focus also includes invasive species that
have jumped significant spatial gaps or would lead to significant harm
without intervention. Responses will not include pathogens at this
time.
The program structure is composed of the IInSRRT coordinator, an
IInSRRT guidance group, and deployment team members. The guidance group
will provide guidance and support as needed and assist with planning,
communications, and overall program operations. The deployment team
will be composed of DOI employees that have technical skills in rapid
response and relevant qualifications. The IInSRRT program will assist
in achieving management objectives flowing from the National Early
Detection and Rapid Response Framework and other local, regional, and
national efforts.
Consideration of deployment will occur when the lead agency or
agencies lack capacity and requests assistance. The application for
assistance from a lead entity will require justification and is subject
to approval by the IInSRRT coordinator and IInSRRT guidance group. The
criteria to determine what merits a response and the process to request
the team will be developed by the IInSRRT coordinator and guidance
group.
The IInSRRT program will request the following types of information
via the two forms described below:
1. Form 3-200-93, ``Application for IInSRRT Incident Assistance''
(New)--The Service proposes to collect the following categories of
information via Form 3-200-93:
A. Requestor Information--Affiliation and point of contact
information, to include name, title, email, location, and phone number.
B. Incident Response Narrative--Narrative should include summaries
of the proposed objectives of the incident response.
C. Description of the Invasive Species--The description should
provide a comprehensive overview of the species, including both its
common and scientific names. It should summarize the impact of the
species, particularly any effects on culturally significant resources.
The narrative should also include a brief history of the species'
global invasion, highlighting where and how it has spread. Finally, it
should indicate whether this is the first known occurrence of the
species in the United States or specifically within the affected
region.
D. Location of Incident Response--The response should include the
date the invasive species was first detected, along with a summary of
the survey methods used to assess the extent of the introduction. This
should also note the number of surveys conducted. An approximate area,
in acres, where the species was found should be provided, including the
level of certainty regarding that estimate. The narrative should
describe the characteristics of the incident response location, such as
the types of habitats present. It should also state whether the
requesting entity is the land management authority for the proposed
response area and whether the area overlaps with any other land
management jurisdictions.
E. Response Details--The response should indicate whether any rapid
response plans are currently in place for either the invasive species
or the specific incident response location. It should include a summary
of the treatment or control methods proposed for managing the incident,
such as mechanical, chemical, or biological tools. Additionally, the
narrative should outline the resources available or needed--including
tools, staffing, and
[[Page 4095]]
partner support--to effectively carry out the response.
An estimated timeframe for addressing the incident should be
provided, along with the latest possible start date by which
eradication is still considered feasible. This estimate should reflect
the applicant's best judgment and include their level of certainty
regarding that timeline.
F. Compliance with Rules and Regulations--The response should
indicate whether any National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
consultations have already been completed that are applicable to the
proposed incident response. If so, relevant documentation should be
attached. It should also state whether any NEPA Categorical Exclusions
may apply to the proposed activities. Additionally, the narrative
should address whether there are any federally listed species or
habitats within the proposed incident response location. If applicable,
the specific species and/or habitats should be named.
The response should also confirm whether there are any historic or
potentially historic properties within the incident area that may
require consideration under the National Historic Preservation Act or
related laws. Finally, the narrative should identify any other
applicable compliance requirements--such as federal, state, or tribal
regulations--and describe any plans in place to address them.
G. Species Risk Level--The response should indicate whether the
species involved in the proposed incident response has undergone any
formal risk screenings or has been included in any horizon scans or
watch lists. If applicable, the narrative should list the specific
screenings or scans, along with their overall risk ratings (e.g., high
risk, moderate risk, low risk). Copies of the relevant documents should
be attached to the application to support the assessment.
H. Post-response Plans--The response should indicate whether the
requesting entity has the resources and capacity to monitor the site
following the incident response. It should also include a summary of
the post-monitoring plan, outlining how the entity will assess whether
the invasive species has been successfully eradicated. This may include
details such as the frequency and duration of monitoring, survey
methods, and criteria for confirming eradication.
We will use the information collected via Form 3-202-93 to consider
the application for rapid response to new invasive species and whether
the request is within the scope and feasibility for the IInSRRT program
to activate.
2. Form 3-202-58, ``Response Monitoring Report'' (New)--The Service
proposes to collect the following types of information via Form 3-202-
58:
A. Background Information and Introduction--The response should
indicate a summary of the incident response, the dates of the reporting
period, and the reporting entities information.
B. Post-response Monitoring Efforts- The response should summarize
the survey efforts completed post incident response.
C. Post-response Summary- The response should summarize the current
results from post-response monitoring efforts.
We will use the information collected via Form 3-202-58 to monitor
the potential eradication of the target invasive species.
The public may request a copy of Forms 3-200-93 and 3-202-58 by
sending a request to the Service Information Collection Clearance
Officer (see ADDRESSES, above).
Title of Collection: Interjurisdictional Invasive Species Rapid
Response Team Program.
OMB Control Number: 1018-New.
Form Number: FWS Forms 3-200-93 and 3-202-58.
Type of Review: New.
Respondents/Affected Public: State, local, and Tribal governments.
Respondent's Obligation: Required to obtain or retain a benefit.
Frequency of Collection: On occasion for applications and
monitoring reports.
Total Estimated Annual Nonhour Burden Cost: None.
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Average Average Average Average Estimated
number of number of number of completion annual
Requirement annual responses annual time per burden
respondents each responses response hours
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Form 3-200-93, ``Application for IInSRRT Incident Assistance''
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Government................................... 20 1 20 2 40
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Form 3-202-58, ``Response Monitoring Report''
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Government................................... 2 2 4 60 240
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Totals................................... 22 ........... 24 ............ 280
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The authority for this action is the Paperwork Reduction Act of
1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).
Madonna Baucum,
Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-01873 Filed 1-29-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333-15-P
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