Upper Midwest Invasive Species Law Enforcement Task Force

The United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement is working with state Government partners in an effort to start a Conservation Law Enforcement Invasive Species Task Force. This task force will be developed to: 1. Conduct outreach focused on educating other law enforcement agencies and request their assistance to apprehend violators, gather intelligence, and respond to violations. 2. Raise public awareness and create deterrence by conduction educational outreach to public and all appropriate industry representatives. Education would include risks associated with unlawfully dealing in listed species, and laws and penalties that prohibit the activity. 3. Share intelligence on both commercial and non-commercial violators of both Federal and State Invasive species laws 4. Assist with the development of investigative plans, obtain appropriate approvals, and initiate investigations in an effort to document suspected violations of both State and Federal laws. 5. Team with State and Federal prosecutors to create deterrence through formal prosecution of individuals involved in illegal activity associated with State or Federal listed species.