1. 2013 Chair’s Agenda Aquatic Invasive Species

2. The MGA bipartisan organization that brings together governors and their staff to address public policy issues of significance to the region. The MGA provides governors with the opportunity to foster regional development and attain greater efficiency in state administration. It coordinates a regional agenda before Congress and the Federal government as well as facilitates the exchange of views and experiences on subjects of importance to the people of Midwestern states. 9 States - Gov. Pat Quinn (IL), Gov. Mike Pence (IN), Gov. Terry Branstad (IA), Gov. Sam Brownback (KS), Gov. Rick Snyder (MI), Gov. Mark Dayton (MN), Gov. Jay Nixon (MO), Gov. John Kasich (OH), Gov. Scott Walker (WI) MGA Background

3. Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton is the 2013 Chair of the MGA and his agenda is designed to bring states together to discuss and collaborate on aquatic invasive species. The National Invasive Species Information Center estimated that these pests, at the low end, cause $138 billion annually in damages and reduced production. Given the combined significance of aquatic species, the agricultural sector, expansive forestlands and vast rural areas, invasive species are an extreme threat to the Midwestern way of life. Gov. Dayton’s 2013 Chairs Agenda

4. Activities for this agenda include: Policy Maker Summit –In partnership with UMRBA and Environmental Initiative, the summit will focus will be on information sharing about best practices, current efforts underway to slow the spread of Asian carp, eliminating communication barriers, model draft legislation, survey of rules and regulations, and model regulations Co-host Regional Invasive Species Events –The MGA will lend its name to conferences and forums that focus on invasive species in the Midwest. Coordinated Media Outreach –MGA will work with UMRBA, the USDA and other groups to highlight state and federal partnerships related to invasive species through press releases, the MGA Facebook page, and a new MGA invasive species LinkedIn group. Gov. Dayton’s 2013 Chairs Agenda

5. This agenda is not focused on the Great Lakes; There is already a lot of good work being done there, so the MGA is focusing on the major river basins and inward water ways and lakes. This agenda is not about singling out a specific state, state or federal action, or lawsuits. We want to bring together a better cross-state collaboration. There is already a lot of good work being done with AIS in the Midwest and we do not want to duplicate what is already underway, but rather we hope to connect all of the good dots in the Midwest. Themes of the 2013 Chairs Agenda

6. www.midwesterngovernors.org Jesse Heier – jheier@midwesterngovernors.org jheier@midwesterngovernors.org 202-367-1112