[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 23 (Thursday, March 3, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S2011]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. DeWINE (for himself, Mr. Levin, Ms. Stabenow, Mr. Reed, 
        and Mr. Voinovich):
  S. 507. A bill to establish the National Invasive Species Council, 
and for other purposes; to the Committee on Environment and Public 
Works.
  Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, today, I am pleased to join with Senators 
Levin, Stabenow, Reed, and Voinovich to introduce the National Invasive 
Species Council Act--a bill to permanently establish the National 
Invasive Species Council. I would like to thank my colleagues for their 
hard work on this legislation.
  Recognizing the need for better coordination to combat the economic, 
ecologic, and health threats posed by invasive species, the federal 
government established the National Invasive Species Council by 
Executive Order in 1999. Today, the Council continues to operate and 
develop invasive species management plans. However, the Council is not 
as effective as it could be. The GAO reported that implementing these 
management plans is difficult because the Council does not have a 
congressional mandate to act. GAO further reported that most of the 
agencies that have responsibilities under the National Invasive Species 
Management Plan have not been completing activities by established due 
dates and that these agencies lack coordination. These are significant 
problems that must be addressed.
  Invasive species are a national threat that we cannot afford to 
ignore. Many states are trying to combat these species that are 
threatening their local environments. Examples of such plants and 
animals include the emerald ash borer, which has been particularly 
troublesome in my home state of Ohio; the Chinese mitten crab; and 
hydrilla, considered to be one of the most problematic aquatic plants 
in the United States. If left unchecked, these and other invasive 
species pose dangerous environmental, health, and economic threats. 
Estimates of the annual economic damages caused by invasive species in 
this nation are as high as $137 billion. It is clear that more must be 
done.
  To combat the serious threats posed by invasive species, we need 
federal coordination and planning. Our bill would provide just that and 
on a permanent basis. Under this legislation, the Secretaries of State, 
Commerce, Transportation, Agriculture, Health and Human Services, 
Interior, Defense, and Treasury, along with the Administrators of EPA 
and USAID, would continue to work together through the National 
Invasive Species Council to develop a National Invasive Species 
Management Plan.
  The duties of the Council are generally to coordinate federal 
activities in an effective, complementary, cost-efficient manner; 
update the National Invasive Species Management Plan; ensure that 
federal agencies implement the Management Plan; and develop 
recommendations for international cooperation. Additionally, if 
recommendations are not implemented, agencies would have to report to 
the Council. The Council is directed to develop guidance for federal 
agencies on prevention, control, and eradication of invasive species so 
that federal programs and actions do not increase the risk of invasion 
or spread non-indigenous species. And finally, the bill would establish 
an Invasive Species Advisory Committee to the Council.
  The National Invasive Species Council could enhance its effectiveness 
and better protect our environment from invasive species with a 
congressional mandate. I urge my colleagues to co-sponsor this measure 
so that the Federal Government can better respond to the threat posed 
by invasive species.
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