Report to the Republic of Palau: 2008 update on Invasive Plant ...

species on private or cus<strong>to</strong>mary lands or <strong>to</strong> take action on private lands if <strong>the</strong> landowner cannot
be located or does not take prompt action. If needed, model laws and regulations can be
obtained from states and countries that have implemented <strong>the</strong>m.
In addition <strong>to</strong> routine screening <strong>of</strong> people and cargo at airports and ports, <strong>the</strong> Quarantine Service
should insure that o<strong>the</strong>r pathways are effectively blocked. Steam cleaning or power washing <strong>of</strong>
all used cars, trucks and equipment coming in<strong>to</strong> <strong>Palau</strong> should be required and enforced <strong>to</strong> protect
against invasive plants, insects and diseases. Especially problematic are roadbuilding machinery,
military equipment and <strong>of</strong>f-road vehicles. The planned US military buildup on Guam is likely <strong>to</strong>
bring more invasive species in<strong>to</strong> Guam and surrounding nations, ei<strong>the</strong>r directly via incoming
troops and equipment during training, or indirectly, via <strong>the</strong> movement <strong>of</strong> people and goods from
Guam. Quarantine inspec<strong>to</strong>rs should be especially vigilant <strong>to</strong> make sure used cars, trucks and
equipment from Guam, Hawai‘i, Sou<strong>the</strong>ast Asia, Indonesia, New Guinea, Australia and <strong>the</strong>
Philippines are clean as many dangerous weeds are present in <strong>the</strong>se locations. Likewise,
importation <strong>of</strong> sand, gravel, seed and o<strong>the</strong>r easily contaminated material from outside <strong>the</strong> country
should be subject <strong>to</strong> restriction, inspection and post-release moni<strong>to</strong>ring. Several examples <strong>of</strong>
invasive species moved about with gravel and soil were seen during both <strong>the</strong> 2002 and <strong>2008</strong>
surveys as well as contamination <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> seed used in <strong>the</strong> stabilization seeding on <strong>the</strong> Compact
Road. Most imported seed will not be 100% free <strong>of</strong> contamination and <strong>the</strong> resultant plantings
must be moni<strong>to</strong>red for <strong>the</strong> establishment <strong>of</strong> weed species.
Quarantine inspec<strong>to</strong>rs should closely inspect boots, camping equipment and o<strong>the</strong>r material for soil
and seeds, particularly when <strong>the</strong>y have been used in countries where Miconia calvescens and
o<strong>the</strong>r small-seeded species are present. It would be desirable <strong>to</strong> have a question on <strong>the</strong>
cus<strong>to</strong>ms/quarantine declaration form that asks visi<strong>to</strong>rs if <strong>the</strong>y have boots or camping equipment or
have been in forests as well as farms (as is done in Australia and New Zealand).
An evaluation should be conducted for any new species that appears <strong>to</strong> be invasive or is known
<strong>to</strong> be invasive elsewhere. The Institute <strong>of</strong> Pacific Islands Forestry and <strong>the</strong> University <strong>of</strong> Hawai‘i
Department <strong>of</strong> Botany adapted <strong>the</strong> Australian risk assessment system <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> needs <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Pacific.
This system is available <strong>to</strong> <strong>Palau</strong>, ei<strong>the</strong>r through use <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> assessments already completed and
posted at http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/faculty/daehler/wra/ or on <strong>the</strong> PIER web site
(http://www.hear.org/pier/wra.htm) or by requesting assessments <strong>of</strong> new or suspicious species by
sending relevant information through <strong>the</strong> USFS’s Forest Health Coordina<strong>to</strong>r in Hawaii.
Similarly, technical assistance on recommended control methods should be requested through <strong>the</strong>
USFS, SPC or <strong>the</strong> Pacific Invasives Learning Network, if needed. Assistance is available on-line
from experts through <strong>the</strong> Pacific Pestnet list-server, and <strong>Palau</strong> should continue <strong>to</strong> take advantage
<strong>of</strong> this service.
The successful education program dealing with <strong>the</strong> risks and consequences <strong>of</strong> introductions and
<strong>the</strong> benefit <strong>of</strong> using native species should continue. Encourage responsible actions such as
following quarantine regulations, not dumping garden cuttings in <strong>the</strong> woods and reporting
suspicious plants. Public service announcements on television or radio, “wanted” posters, and
especially educating school-aged children, are important outreach <strong>to</strong>ols. Prompt follow-up <strong>to</strong>
public reports and inquiries is essential <strong>to</strong> maintain <strong>the</strong> credibility <strong>of</strong> a public education program.
The weed “hot lines” telephone numbers, <strong>the</strong> visibility and involvement <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Bureau <strong>of</strong>
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