F24AS00175- Rapid Response Fund for Aquatic Invasive Species

The Rapid Response Fund for Aquatic Invasive Species (F24AS00175) is a grant initiative established to address the issue of invasive aquatic species. This is managed by the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force (ANSTF), set up by the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990. The task force, under the joint leadership of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, aims to develop programs to thwart the introduction and spread of invasive aquatic species, control their growth, and educate the public.

Realizing the cost-effectiveness of prevention, ANSTF also adopts Early Detection and Rapid Response (EDRR) as a backup strategy. In 2016, the Department of the Interior (DOI), collaborated with other agencies and partners to publish a report highlighting the important role of EDRR in combating invasive species, laying out a national framework.

To execute the framework effectively, DOI has prioritized finding and eradicating new invasive species before they spread and cause harm. These include identifying high-risk species and invasion hotspots, developing scientific tools for early detection, and establishing a Rapid Response Fund for swift action against invasive species.

The Rapid Response Fund serves to finance instant countermeasures to contain and exterminate newly detected species. The ANSTF sees this as a top-priority as outlined in their Strategic Plan for 2020-2025. Subsequently, a working group developed a structured process for the Fund, referred to as “The Model Process,” which was approved by 13 Federal and non-federal members of the ANSTF in 2023.

In 2023, funds from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law were allocated to establish the pilot Rapid Response Fund, led by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The grant supports rapid response to new species introduction into various U.S water bodies. It specifically deals with eradication, which means completely removing the invasive species from a specified area. More details about the Fund and the grant application process are available on the ANSTF's website.