Approach
The resolve was very clear that this process needed to be inclusive, requiring input from a variety of stakeholders. This is a contentious issue for members of the horticulture industry concerned about the effect on their livelihood while land managers have witnessed the negative impacts invasive plants have on natural areas. With this in mind, the Department convened a public meeting in September 2007 to discuss the invasive plant issue. The assembled group agreed that it was important to look at natural areas in Maine to see which plants are having an impact. They also agreed there should continue to be an effort to provide education and outreach on this topic. Also, they felt Maine should not reinvent the process, but use the work done in the other New England states.
In October 2007, a steering committee, appointed by the commissioner, met to work on the details of the resolve. Members represented the horticulture industry, environmental interests, education and the public. They met three times during the fall, reviewed what had been done in the New England states and agreed on the criteria used in Massachusetts as a basis for our efforts in Maine. Throughout the process minutes, of the meetings were posted on the Department’s web site. The steering committee identified three items written in the resolve to be included in this report:
- A list of criteria or process for evaluating invasive terrestrial plants.
- A preliminary list of invasive terrestrial plants.
- A list of suggestions for preventing introduction and further distribution of these plants.
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