In 1990, Congress passed the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act (NANPCA), which created the national Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) Task Force.

In 1996, Congress reauthorized the law and broadened its scope via the National Invasive Species Act (NISA) to address aquatic

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invasive species (AIS) challenges, take action, and produce tangible results.

The ANS Task Force is an intergovernmental organization dedicated to preventing and controlling AIS and implementing both NANPCA and NISA.

The ANS Task Force, co chaired by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, consists of 13 Federal agency representtives and 15 ex officio representatives.

These members work in conjuction with Regional panels and issue specific committees, under the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) guidelines to coordinate efforts amongst agencies as well as efforts of the private sector and other North American interests.

The ANS Task Force serves to develop and implement a program for waters of the United States to prevent introduction and dispersal of ANS, monitor, control, and study such species, and disseminate related information.

ANS Task Force activities include establishing and supporting, through grants, six regional panels that engage a broad spectrum of stakeholders to provide balanced advise to the ANS Task Force on regional priorities and issues of regional significance.