Summary of Wisconsin’s Comprehensive Management Plan
To Prevent Further Introductions and Control Existing Populations of Aquatic Invasive Species 2003

Aquatic invasive species (AIS) have long been recognized as a serious problem in Wisconsin. The Department of Natural Resources, in cooperation with the University of Wisconsin- Sea Grant program and the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, has prepared a plan to coordinate responses to the problems associated with aquatic invasive species. This plan is one component of a comprehensive state effort to control invasive species that involves all affected state agencies and tribal governments working together to prevent the further introductions of invasive species (both aquatic and terrestrial) into Wisconsin’s ecosystems. This plan focuses on prevention as the key strategy for limiting the impacts of aquatic invasive species by controlling the initial introduction and subsequent transfer from one water body to another. Prevention strategies rely heavily on information, education and communication. Therefore, this plan includes the full range of those activities needed to implement as effective prevention program.

However, prevention techniques alone are inadequate for limiting the negative impacts caused by aquatic invasive exotics. This plan also suggests that control, mitigation or elimination strategies must be considered. It incorporates information and education/outreach activities, watercraft inspection efforts and policy and legislative initiatives as key components of the overall program.

The goals of Wisconsin’s Comprehensive Management Plan are designed to address different stages of the AIS invasion:

1. The initial introductions of aquatic invasive species into Wisconsin waters from other parts of the continent or world;
2. The spread of AIS populations to previously unaffected state waters; and
3. The colonization of self-sustaining AIS populations within water bodies, including the harmful impacts resulting from such colonization.