[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 112 (Friday, August 3, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1526-E1527]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      INTRODUCTION OF THE SWAT ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BRIAN BAIRD

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 2, 2001

  Mr. BAIRD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss something that 
threatens the economic and environmental health of my district and the 
entire western half of the United States. That something is the spread 
of zebra mussels from their current infestation area of the Great Lakes 
and Mississippi River to all of the rivers of the West. The infestation 
of the zebra mussels has already cost our nation $3.1 billion and if 
they are allowed to spread to the West, we will see the cost to 
American businesses and taxpayers expand even further.
  If zebra mussels invade the West Coast, they will foul thousands of 
miles of pipes and canals, water gates and intakes, clog fish screens, 
obstruct drinking water facilities, block cooling pipes at 
hydroelectric and nuclear power plants, damage water filter plants, 
agricultural irrigation systems and other water system components. 
Waters conducive to zebra mussel establishment are located along the 
entire West Coast from the ports of Alaska to the reservoirs of 
southern California, including the Columbia and Snake rivers, the 
California and south Bay Aqueducts, the Los Angeles Aqueduct, the 
Colorado River Aqueduct and many smaller rivers in between.
  Zebra mussels were inadvertently introduced into the Great Lakes in 
1987 by ballast water exchanges from boats that had traveled from 
Eastern Europe. Since that time, they have spread through connected 
water bodies by various means including larval transport in ballast 
water and adult attachment to hulls of ships, barges and recreational 
crafts. The infestation of zebra mussels throughout the Great Lakes, 
Mississippi River drainages and the Missouri Rver has cost water users 
in the area millions of dollars every year, Stopping or slowing their 
arrival is therefore critical from an economic and biological 
standpoint. The bill I am introducing today will help prevent the 
westward spread of zebra mussels, as well as other invasive species 
that can be transferred through boat traffic.
  The bill, entitled the ``Stop Westward Aquatic Threats (SWAT)'' Act 
builds upon programs that already exist to educate, monitor and prevent 
the westward spread of aquatic invasive species, especially zebra 
mussels. On the federal level, the SWAT Act uses an existing, but 
underfunded, Fish and Wildlife program called the 100th Meridian 
Initiative that is designed to prevent the spread of zebra niussels and 
other aquatic nuisance species west of the 100th meridian. The SWAT Act 
fully funds education and monitoring programs at boat launches and 
along higlaways and requires the inspection of commercial boats that 
cross the 100th meridian. On the State level, the SWAT Act more than 
doubles the authorized funding, for State Invasive Species Management 
Plans to help States develop and coordinate their Invasive Species 
Management Plans.

[[Page E1527]]

  This may be one of the best investments Congress can make to save 
money in the long run. By spending a few million dollars today, we can 
save businesses and taxpayers billions later on.

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