[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 105 (Thursday, July 28, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9302-S9306]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. AKAKA (for himself, Mr. Inouye, Mr. Lautenberg, and Mr. 
        Levin):
  S. 1541. A bill to protect, conserve, and restore public land 
administered by the Department of the Interior or the Forest Service 
and adjacent land through cooperative cost-shared grants to control and 
mitigate the spread of invasive species, and for other purposes; to the 
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
  Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Public Land 
Protection and Conservation Act of 2005. I am pleased to have Senators 
Inouye, Lautenberg and Levin join me in cosponsoring the bill. My 
legislation encourages Federal, State, and local agencies, nonprofit 
organizations, Indian tribes and private entities to work together 
through a cost-shared, cooperative grant program to control and 
mitigate the spread of invasive species.
  Invasive species are defined as harmful, nonnative plants, animals, 
or organisms likely to cause economic harm, environmental harm, or harm 
to human health. They are widespread throughout the United States and 
cause billions of dollars of damage annually to crops, rangelands, and 
waterways. The globalization of trade, the massive volume of cargo 
shipments, and rising tourism have combined to increase the chance of 
introductions of nonnative species into the United States. They are 
responsible for damage to native ecosystems and vital industries such 
as agriculture, fisheries, and ranching. The economic, social, 
recreational, and ecological losses attributable to invasive species 
are huge. A recent Cornell University study estimated that invasive 
plants and animals cost the U.S. economy $137 billion annually. The 
costs are predicted to increase substantially as more invasive species 
enter the country.
  The implications of the nationwide invasive species problem are 
enormous. The Ecological Society of America notes that invasive species 
contribute to the listing of 35 to 46 percent of all threatened and 
endangered species. Nowhere, however, are the impacts greater than in 
my home State of Hawaii. Hawaii is known for its biodiversity. Hawaii 
has more than 10,000 species found nowhere else on Earth. 
Unfortunately, invasive species are the number one cause of the decline 
of Hawaii's threatened and endangered species. This is a serious 
concern because of the 114 endangered species that have become extinct 
during the first 20 years of the Endangered Species Act, almost half 
were in Hawaii. Recently, gall wasps were found laying eggs in wiliwili 
trees. These trees were once a dominant species in dry Hawaiian 
forests. Now they are nearly 90 percent gone with the remnants of the 
remaining trees, primarily found on Maui and the Big Island, threatened 
by the invasive gall wasp. The fragility of our native species is 
compounded by the fact that most introduced species have no natural 
predators in the State, and such predators cannot simply cross a State 
border to enter Hawaii. Hawaii's Invasive Species Partnerships, a group 
comprised of a state council and island-based committees stated in its 
2004 report that ``the silent invasion of Hawaii by alien invasive 
species is the single greatest threat to Hawaii's economy, natural 
environment, and the health and lifestyle of Hawaii's people and 
visitors.'' Hawaii is plagued with pest invasions to a greater extent 
than almost any other location in the world. The invasion has limited 
our agricultural export market, decreased bio-diversity in the forests, 
and decimated native bird populations. It is imperative that this 
serious issue receive our full attention.
  Let me give you just a few examples of invasive species problems in 
Hawaii. Control efforts for the Formosan ground termite are estimated 
to cost residents in Hawaii more than $150 million per year. Damage to 
our agricultural industry and the related control costs of the 
Mediterranean fruit fly are more than $450 million annually. Miconia, 
an invasive tree infesting more than 15,000 acres of rainforest in 
Hawaii, eliminates the habitat of endangered plants and animals and 
causes serious erosion problems that threaten our water supply. Bush 
Beardgrass is a drought-tolerant grass that increases the risk of 
brushfires. Wildlife authorities say the grass is beyond control on 
Kauai and the Big Island. Native birds in our rainforests are 
succumbing to malaria spread through introduced mosquitos. Coqui frogs 
can reach densities of 8,000 frogs per acre and threaten Hawaii's real 
estate, export floriculture, and nursery industries. The brown tree 
snake has invaded Guam and devastated native bird populations there. If 
the snakes become established in Hawaii, economic costs have been 
estimated to exceed hundreds of millions of dollars. Red fire ants 
threaten the agriculture industry in Hawaii and in 14 Southern States, 
causing more than $2 billion in annual damage. As you can see, the list

[[Page S9303]]

of problems is long and the time to address the issue of invasive 
species is now, before even more serious problems crop up.
  With 73 percent of land in the continental U.S. held privately, our 
Federal lands will not be adequately protected without public-private 
partnerships. My bill requires coordination between the National 
Invasive Species Council, the Department of the Interior, the U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, and State invasive species councils and 
plans. The bill authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to provide 
grants to promote the development of voluntary State assessments to 
establish inventories and priorities for controlling invasive species. 
This is a critical step in establishing an invasives program, but many 
States do not have the resources to carry out this critical assessment. 
The legislation also provides additional grants to public or private 
entities, or Indian tribes, to carry out in partnership with a Federal 
agency an eradication, containment, or management project on Federal 
land or adjacent land. Control grants are cost-shared with partners. 
The criteria for ranking control projects include shared priorities in 
State and Federal plans, the severity of the invasive species impact on 
a State, and whether the project fosters results through public-private 
partnerships. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, the bill provides 
rapid response funds for States facing new outbreaks of invasive 
species, to eradicate serious new outbreaks. Rapid response funds are 
critical to States in order to combat newly identified invasives.
  I was pleased to see that Federal departments would receive an 
overall increase for the seven invasive species general categories in 
the President's fiscal year 2006 proposed budget. I appreciate the 
consideration that my colleagues on the Appropriations Committee have 
given this important issue. However, I was dismayed to see that the 
budget for the category of control of invasive species declined by $25 
million from its fiscal year 2005 enacted level. Control is an 
essential element in combating invasive species and requires additional 
funding.
  I would like to acknowledge the fine work being accomplished by the 
National Park Service in establishing its Exotic Plant Management 
Teams. These Teams are designed to provide a highly trained, mobile 
strike force of plant management specialists to assist parks in the 
control of exotic plants. Approximately 2.6 million acres in the 
national parks are infected and 234 parks have invasive animals in need 
of management. To date, 17 Teams have been deployed throughout the 
country. I am grateful to the Pacific Island Team for its efforts to 
protect increasingly rare native communities in the Hawaiian Islands 
from invasion. Control of exotic species is one of the most significant 
land management issues facing national parks. Although I applaud the 
current efforts of the Department of the Interior and the U.S. Forest 
Service, a more coordinated and forceful attack on invasive species is 
needed. The attack must have robust funding and work in partnership 
with the States.
  I am particularly pleased that the State of Hawaii is taking a 
leadership role in addressing its invasive species problems. Two years 
ago the Hawaii State Legislature established the Hawaii Invasive 
Species Council to coordinate the State's fight against animal and 
plant invaders, with the Department of Agriculture and the Department 
of Land and Natural Resources in leading roles. The Hawaii State 
Legislature has directed approximately $8 million to the invasives 
campaign so far. The Hawaii Invasive Species Council and each county 
council are committed to a proactive approach to preserve the 
environmental heritage and economic security of our communities for 
generations to come. In addition, many public and private partnerships 
have been formed to protect our common natural resources. For example, 
the East Maui Watershed Partnership brings together multiple public and 
private landowners and the County of Maui to control invasive species 
and protect 100,000 acres of our prime watershed areas. This is just 
one example of many highly successful and dedicated partnerships in 
Hawaii working to preserve our invaluable resources.
  The National Environmental Coalition on Invasive Species, a coalition 
of representatives from major environmental organizations, has extended 
its full support for this legislation. Its letter of support calls this 
bill ``one of the best legislative proposals to date to deal with the 
growing threat that invasive species pose to our nation's ecological 
and economic health.'' The State of Hawaii, Department of Land and 
Natural Resources, also supports the bill. The Department acknowledges 
that success in invasive species projects in Hawaii have come largely 
from the formation of strong partnerships between State, County and 
Federal agencies and private groups -exactly what my legislation 
endorses. My bill is also supported by the Conservation Council of 
Hawaii, the National Wildlife Federation affiliate in Hawaii. I greatly 
appreciate these endorsements.
  As Federal efforts to combat the growing tide of invasive species 
increase, some landowners and private property advocates are concerned 
that increased efforts to combat invasives and support native plants 
and animals could lead to the next big government invasion of private 
lands. Let me assure you this is not a property rights issue. Any 
action taken by governments or nonprofits through this bill can occur 
only with the participation and willingness of the property owner.
  There are increasingly severe problems and economic burdens 
associated with invasive species in our Nation that are borne at the 
State and local levels. If ever there was a time to commit to defending 
the security of our domestic resources for the future, it is now. My 
legislation provides the support necessary for agencies, organizations, 
and individuals to implement cooperative projects to address new 
threats and long-standing invasive species problems. This is an issue 
that must be confronted.
  I ask unanimous consent that text of the bill be printed in the 
Record, as well as the letters of support from Hawaii and national 
groups, and urge my colleagues to support my legislation.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

                                S. 1541

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Public Land Protection and 
     Conservation Act of 2005''.

     SEC. 2. PURPOSE.

       The purpose of this Act is to encourage partnerships among 
     Federal, State, and local agencies, nongovernmental entities, 
     and Indian tribes to protect, enhance, restore, and manage 
     public land and adjacent land through the control of invasive 
     species by--
       (1) promoting the development of voluntary State 
     assessments to establish priorities for controlling invasive 
     species;
       (2) promoting greater cooperation among Federal, State, and 
     local land and water managers and owners of private land or 
     other interests to implement strategies to control and 
     mitigate the spread of invasive species through a voluntary 
     and incentive-based financial assistance grant program;
       (3) establishing a rapid response capability to combat 
     incipient invasive species invasions; and
       (4) modifying the requirements applicable to the National 
     Invasive Species Council.

     SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act:
       (1) Control.--The term ``control'' means--
       (A) eradicating, suppressing, reducing, or managing 
     invasive species in areas in which the species are present;
       (B) taking steps to detect early infestations of invasive 
     species on Public land and adjacent land that is at risk of 
     being infested; and
       (C) restoring native ecosystems to reverse or reduce the 
     impacts of invasive species.
       (2) Council.--The term ``Council'' means the National 
     Invasive Species Council established by section 3 of 
     Executive Order No. 13112 (64 Fed. Reg. 6184).
       (3) Indian tribe.--The term ``Indian tribe'' has the 
     meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-
     Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b).
       (4) Invasive species.--The term ``invasive species'' means, 
     with respect to a particular ecosystem, any animal, plant, or 
     other organism (including biological material of the animal, 
     plant, or other organism that is capable of propagating the 
     species)--
       (A) that is not native to the ecosystem; and
       (B) the introduction of which causes or is likely to cause 
     economic harm, environmental harm, or harm to human health.
       (5) National management plan.--The term ``National 
     Management Plan'' means the management plan referred to in 
     section 5 of Executive Order No. 13112 (64 Fed. Reg. 6185) 
     and entitled ``Meeting the Invasive Species Challenge''.

[[Page S9304]]

       (6) Public land.--The term ``Public land'' means all land 
     and water that is--
       (A) owned by, or under the jurisdiction of, the United 
     States; and
       (B) administered by the Department of the Interior or the 
     Forest Service.
       (7) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of the Interior.
       (8) State.--The term ``State'' means--
       (A) a State of the United States;
       (B) the District of Columbia;
       (C) the Commonwealths of Puerto Rico and the Northern 
     Mariana Islands;
       (D) the Territories of American Samoa, Guam, and the Virgin 
     Islands;
       (E) the Federated States of Micronesia;
       (F) the Republic of the Marshall Islands; and
       (G) the Republic of Palau.

     SEC. 4. NATIVE HERITAGE ASSESSMENT AND CONTROL GRANT PROGRAM.

       (a) Assessment Grants.--The Secretary may provide to a 
     State a grant to carry out an assessment project consistent 
     with relevant invasive species management plans of the State 
     to--
       (1) identify invasive species that occur in the State;
       (2) survey the extent of invasive species in the State;
       (3) assess the needs to restore, manage, or enhance native 
     ecosystems in the State;
       (4) identify priorities for actions to address those needs;
       (5) incorporate, as applicable, the guidelines of the 
     National Management Plan; and
       (6) identify methods to--
       (A) control or detect incipient infestations of invasive 
     species in the State; or
       (B) control or assess established populations of invasive 
     species in the State.
       (b) Control Grants.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary may provide grants to 
     appropriate public or private entities and Indian tribes to 
     carry out, in partnership with a Federal agency, control 
     projects for the management or eradication of invasive 
     species on Public land or adjacent land that--
       (A) include plans for--
       (i) monitoring the project areas; and
       (ii) maintaining effective control of invasive species 
     after the completion of the projects, including through the 
     conduct of restoration activities;
       (B) in the case of a project on adjacent land, are carried 
     out with the consent of the owner of the adjacent land; and
       (C) provide public notice to, and conduct outreach 
     activities relating to the control projects in, communities 
     in which control projects are carried out.
       (2) Priority.--In prioritizing grants for control projects, 
     the Secretary shall consider--
       (A) the extent to which a project would address--
       (i) the priorities of a State for invasive species control; 
     and
       (ii) the priorities for invasive species management on 
     Public land, such as the priorities for management on 
     National Park System and National Forest System land;
       (B) the estimated number of, or extent of infestation by, 
     invasive species in the State;
       (C) whether a project would encourage increased 
     coordination and cooperation among 1 or more Federal agencies 
     and State or local government agencies to control invasive 
     species;
       (D) whether a project--
       (i) fosters public-private partnerships; and
       (ii) uses Federal resources to encourage increased private 
     sector involvement, including the provision of private funds 
     or in-kind contributions;
       (E) the extent to which a project would aid the 
     conservation of species included on Federal or State lists of 
     threatened or endangered species;
       (F) whether a project includes pilot testing or a 
     demonstration of an innovative technology that has the 
     potential to improve the cost-effectiveness of controlling 
     invasive species; and
       (G) the extent to which a project--
       (i) considers the potential for unintended consequences of 
     control methods on native species; and
       (ii) includes contingency measures to address the 
     unintended consequences.
       (c) Duties of the Secretary.--The Secretary shall--
       (1) not later than 180 days after the date on which funds 
     are made available to carry out this Act, publish guidelines 
     and solicit applications for grants under this section;
       (2) not later than 1 year after the date on which funds are 
     made available to carry out this Act, evaluate and approve or 
     disapprove applications for grants submitted under this 
     section;
       (3) consult with the Council on--
       (A) any projects proposed for grants under this section, 
     including the priority of proposed projects for the grants; 
     and
       (B) providing a definition of the term ``adjacent land'' 
     for purposes of the control grant program under subsection 
     (b);
       (4) consult with the advisory committee established under 
     section 3(b) of Executive Order No. 13112 (64 Fed. Reg. 6184) 
     on projects proposed for a grant under this section, 
     including the scientific merit, technical merit, and 
     feasibility of a proposed project; and
       (5) if a project is conducted on National Forest System 
     land, consult with the Secretary of Agriculture.
       (d) Grant Duration.--
       (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), a 
     grant under this section shall provide funding for the 
     Federal share of the cost of a project for not more than 2 
     fiscal years.
       (2) Renewal of control projects.--
       (A) In general.--If the Secretary, after reviewing the 
     reports submitted under subsection (f) with respect to a 
     control project, finds that the project is making 
     satisfactory progress, the Secretary may renew a grant under 
     this section for an additional 3 fiscal years.
       (B) Implementation of monitoring and maintenance plan.--The 
     Secretary may renew a grant under this section to implement 
     the monitoring and maintenance plan required for a control 
     project under subsection (b) for not more than 10 years after 
     the project is otherwise complete.
       (e) Distribution of Control Grant Awards.--In making grants 
     for control projects under subsection (b), the Secretary 
     shall, to the maximum extent practicable, ensure that--
       (1) at least 50 percent of control project funds are spent 
     on land adjacent to Public land; and
       (2) there is a balance of smaller and larger control 
     projects conducted with grants under that subsection.
       (f) Reporting by Grant Recipient.--
       (1) Assessment projects.--Not later than 2 years after the 
     date on which a grant is provided under subsection (a), a 
     grant recipient carrying out an assessment project shall 
     submit to the Secretary and the Governor of the State in 
     which the assessment project is carried out a report on the 
     assessment project.
       (2) Control projects.--A grant recipient carrying out a 
     control project under subsection (b) shall submit to the 
     Secretary--
       (A) an annual synopsis of the control project; and
       (B) a report on the control project not later than the 
     earlier of--
       (i) at least once every 2 years; or
       (ii) the date on which the grant expires.
       (3) Contents.--A report submitted under this subsection 
     shall include--
       (A) a detailed accounting of--
       (i) the funding made available for the project; and
       (ii) any expenditures made for the project; and
       (B) with respect to a control project--
       (i) a chronological list of any progress made with respect 
     to the project;
       (ii) specific information on the methods and techniques 
     used to control invasive species in the project area;
       (iii) trends in the population size and distribution of 
     invasive species in the project area; and
       (iv) the number of acres of the native ecosystem protected 
     or restored.
       (g) Cost-Sharing Requirement.--
       (1) Projects on adjacent land.--
       (A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph (B), 
     the Federal share of the cost of a control project carried 
     out on adjacent land shall be not more than 75 percent.
       (B) Certain control projects.--The Federal share of a 
     control project carried out on adjacent land that uses pilot 
     testing, demonstrates an innovative technology, or provides 
     for the conservation of threatened or endangered species 
     shall be 85 percent.
       (2) Projects on public land.--The Federal share of the cost 
     of the portion of a control project that is carried out on 
     Public land shall be 100 percent.
       (3) Application of in-kind contributions.--The Secretary 
     may apply to the non-Federal share of the costs of a control 
     project the fair market value of services or any other form 
     of in-kind contribution to the project made by a non-Federal 
     entity.
       (4) Derivation of non-federal share.--The non-Federal share 
     of the cost of a control project carried out with a grant 
     under this section may not be derived from a Federal grant 
     program or other Federal funds.
       (h) Reporting by Secretary.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 3 years after the date of 
     enactment of this Act and every 2 years thereafter, the 
     Secretary shall submit to Congress a report that--
       (A) describes the implementation of this section; and
       (B) includes a determination whether the grants authorized 
     under subsections (a) and (b) should be expanded to land and 
     water that are owned and administered by Federal agencies 
     other than the Department of the Interior or the Forest 
     Service.
       (2) Contents.--A report under paragraph (1) shall include a 
     review of control projects, including--
       (A) a list of control projects selected, in progress, and 
     completed;
       (B) an assessment of project impacts, including--
       (i) areas treated; and
       (ii)(I) if feasible, a measurement of invasive species 
     eradicated; or
       (II) an estimate of the extent to which invasive species 
     have been reduced or contained;
       (C) the success and failure of control techniques used;
       (D) an accounting of expenditures by Federal, State, 
     regional, and local government agencies and other entities to 
     carry out the projects;
       (E) a review of efforts made to maintain an appropriate 
     database of projects assisted under this section; and
       (F) a review of the geographical distribution of Federal 
     funds, matching funds, and in-kind contributions provided for 
     projects.

[[Page S9305]]

     SEC. 5. RAPID RESPONSE ASSISTANCE.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary may provide financial 
     assistance to States, local governments, public or private 
     entities, and Indian tribes for a period of 1 fiscal year to 
     enable States, local governments, nongovernmental entities, 
     and Indian tribes to rapidly respond to outbreaks of invasive 
     species that are at a stage at which rapid eradication or 
     control is possible.
       (b) Requirements for Assistance.--The Secretary shall--
       (1) at the request of the Governor of a State--
       (A) provide assistance under this section to the State, a 
     local government, public or private entity, or Indian tribe 
     for the eradication of an immediate invasive species threat 
     in the State if--
       (i) there is a demonstrated need for the assistance;
       (ii) the invasive species is considered to be an immediate 
     threat to native ecosystems, human health, or the economy, as 
     determined by the Secretary; and
       (iii) the proposed response of the State, local government, 
     public or private entity, or Indian tribe to the threat--

       (I) is technically feasible; and
       (II) minimizes adverse impacts to native ecosystems and 
     non-target species; or

       (B) if the requirements under subparagraph (A) are not met, 
     submit to the Governor of the State, not later than 30 days 
     after the date on which the Secretary received the request, 
     written notice that the State is not eligible for assistance 
     under this section;
       (2) determine the amount of financial assistance to be 
     provided under this section, subject to the availability of 
     appropriations, with respect to an outbreak of an invasive 
     species;
       (3) require that entities receiving assistance under this 
     section monitor and report on activities carried out with 
     such assistance in the same manner that control project grant 
     recipients monitor and report on such activities; and
       (4) expedite environmental and regulatory reviews to ensure 
     that an outbreak of invasive species can be addressed within 
     the 180-day period beginning on the date on which the State 
     notifies the Secretary of the outbreak.

     SEC. 6. RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER AUTHORITIES.

       Nothing in this Act affects authorities, responsibilities, 
     obligations, or powers of the Secretary under any other 
     statute.

     SEC. 7. BUDGET CROSSCUT.

       Not later than March 31, 2006, and each year thereafter, 
     the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, in 
     consultation with the Council, shall submit to Congress--
       (1) a comprehensive budget analysis and summary of Federal 
     programs relating to invasive species; and
       (2) a list of general priorities, ranked in high, medium, 
     and low categories, of Federal efforts and programs in--
       (A) prevention;
       (B) early detection and rapid response;
       (C) eradication, control, management, and restoration;
       (D) research and monitoring;
       (E) information management; and
       (F) public outreach and partnership efforts.

     SEC. 8. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       (a) Assessment Grants.--There are authorized to be 
     appropriated to the Secretary to carry out assessment 
     projects under section 4(a)--
       (1) $25,000,000 for fiscal year 2006; and
       (2) such sums as are necessary for each of fiscal years 
     2007 through 2010.
       (b) Control Grants.--There are authorized to be 
     appropriated to the Secretary to carry out control projects 
     under section 4(b)--
       (1) $175,000,000 for fiscal year 2006; and
       (2) such sums as are necessary for each of fiscal years 
     2007 through 2010.
       (c) Rapid Response Assistance.--There are authorized to be 
     appropriated to the Secretary to carry out section 5--
       (1) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2006; and
       (2) such sums as are necessary for each of fiscal years 
     2007 through 2010.
       (d) Continuing Availability.--Amounts made available under 
     this section shall remain available until expended.
       (e) Administrative Expenses of Secretary.--Of amounts made 
     available each fiscal year to carry out this Act, the 
     Secretary may expend not more than 5 percent to pay the 
     administrative expenses necessary to carry out this Act.
                                  ____

                                        The National Environmental


                                Coalition on Invasive Species,

                                                    July 22, 2005.
     Hon. Daniel K. Akaka,
     U.S. Senate,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator Akaka: The member organizations of the 
     National Environmental Coalition on Invasive Species are 
     writing in support of the Pubic Land Protection and 
     Conservation Act of 2005.
       Separately, our individual organizations have protested 
     millions of acres of land; worked with thousands of corporate 
     partners, affiliates, and community groups; and provided 
     scientific, economic, and legal analyses that advocate 
     responsible policy solutions to the international, national, 
     and local level.
       Together, our organizations have over six million 
     individual members and supporters. The threat that invasive 
     species pose to our environment and economy and our interest 
     in finding equitable, practical, and cost-effective solutions 
     to this environmental problem unites us in this Coalition.
       Invasive species that choke out, devour, and destroy native 
     wildlife and their habitat have infested more than 100 
     million acres of the American landscape. An additional three 
     million acres are lost each year to invasive weeds--an area 
     equal to a strip of land two miles wide stretching from coast 
     to coat. Invasive species are one of the most critical 
     threats to America's natural diversity and pose clear risks 
     to the nation's waters, forests, farmlands, rangelands, 
     wetlands, natural area, and public and private property 
     values. Experts estimates that these fast moving invaders are 
     already causing $130 billion of damage each year to the 
     economy.
       The Public Land Protection and Conservation Act of 2005 is 
     one of the best legislative proposals to date to deal with 
     the growing threat that invasive species pose to our nation's 
     ecological and economic health. We applaud this effort to use 
     federal funding as an incentive to encourage local government 
     agencies, private organizations, and individuals to be more 
     proactive in managing invasive and invading species. The 
     Native Heritage Control Grant Program offered in the bill is 
     noteworthy not only in that it provides such incentives, but 
     also in that it provides additional encouragement for 
     innovative technologies and work to benefit endangered 
     species. The Control Grant Program is aptly tailored to 
     encourage partnerships and work on federal and non-federal 
     land. Invasive species do not respect administrative or 
     political boundaries and we cannot hope to protect the best 
     federal lands without the cooperation of neighboring 
     landowners. Similarly helping private landowners and local 
     governments deal with their invasive species problems is also 
     extremely important, as recognized in this bill.
       The Public Land Protection and Conservation Act of 2005 
     reflects some of the latest scientific conclusions on 
     invasive species--we strongly support your esblishment of 
     `rapid response' funding to deal with incipient invasions. 
     There is broad consensus among organizations, scientists, and 
     state and federal agencies that eradicating invaders before 
     they become widely established is second only to prevention 
     as the most cost-effective and ultimately successful way to 
     stop invasions. This rapid response program will be critical 
     if the brown tree snake) Boiga irregularis) ever reaches 
     Hawaii from Guam, if the European green crab (Carcinus 
     maenas) ever reaches Alaska from California, or countless 
     other potential invasions occur on our coasts, inland 
     rangelands, grasslands, wetland, and waterways.
       The Public Land Protection and Conservation Act of 2005 
     contains useful deadlines and guidance to help ensure that 
     Assessment Grants, Rapid Response Assistance, and Control 
     Grants are delivered effectively, translating into meaningful 
     conservation results on the ground. The Coalition strongly 
     supports the inclusion of this language, which will help get 
     these programs up and running quickly, and help ensure quick 
     success against rapidly spreading problems. As this bill 
     recognizes, it is particularly important for Rapid Response 
     Assistance to be delivered as quickly as possible after a 
     state requests such assistance, because time is of the 
     essence to prevent new invaders from getting a foothold 
     within a state.
       The National Environmental Coalition on Invasive Species 
     supports this proposed legislation as now written. The grant 
     programs it establishes are sorely needed to address the 
     widespread damage being caused by invasive species all across 
     America. We look forward to working with you and your staff 
     on this legislation that will help address America's dire 
     invasive species problem.
           Sincerely,
     Gaby Chavarria, Ph.D,
       Vice President for Conservation, Defenders of Wildlife.
     Peter T. Jenkins,
       Attorney/Policy Analyst, International Center for 
     Technology Assessment.
     Timothy male, Ph.D,
       Senior Ecologist, Environemtnal Defense.
     Mike Daulton,
       Assistant Director, National Audubon Society.
     Adam Kolotn,
       Director, Congressional & Federal Affairs, National 
     Wildlife Federation.
     Phyllis N. Windle, Ph.D,
       Senior Scientist, Union of Concerned Scientists.
     John M. Randall,
       Director, Invasive Species Initiative, The Nature 
     Conservancy.
                                  ____

                                                    June 14, 2004.
     Hon. Daniel K. Akaka,
     U.S. Senate,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator Akaka: The Conservation Council of Hawaii 
     commends you for introducing the Public Land Protection and 
     Conservation Act of 2004. This bill will be instrumental in 
     preventing the invasion of new invasive species, and help 
     prevent the spread of invasives that have already taken root 
     in the United States.

[[Page S9306]]

       In Hawaii, we know first hand that invasive species choke 
     out, devour, and destroy native wildlife and their habitat. 
     Throughout the nation, invasive species have infested more 
     than 100 million acres of the American landscape and an 
     additional three million acres are lost each year to invasive 
     weeds. Invasive species are one of the most critical threats 
     to America's natural diversity and pose clear risks to the 
     nation's waters, forests, farmlands, rangelands, wetlands, 
     natural areas, and public and private property values. 
     Experts estimate that these fast moving invaders are already 
     causing $130 billion of damage each year to the economy and 
     are the second leading cause, after habitat loss, for 
     wildlife being listed as threatened and endangered.
       The Public Land Protection and Conservation Act of 2004 is 
     one of the best legislative proposals to date to deal with 
     the growing threat that invasive species pose to our nation's 
     ecological and economic health. We applaud this effort to use 
     federal funding as an incentive to encourage local government 
     agencies, private organizations, and individuals to be more 
     proactive in managing invasive and invading species. The 
     Native Heritage Control Grant Program offered in the bill is 
     noteworthy not only in that it provides such incentives, but 
     also in that it provides additional encouragement for 
     innovative technologies and work to benefit endangered 
     species. The Control Grant Program is aptly tailored to 
     encourage partnerships and work on federal and non-federal 
     land. Invasive species do not respect administrative or 
     political boundaries and we cannot hope to protect the best 
     federal lands without the cooperation of neighboring 
     landowners. Similarly, helping private landowners and local 
     governments deal with their invasive species problems is also 
     extremely important, as recognized in this bill.
       The Public Land Protection and Conservation Act of 2004 
     reflects some of the latest scientific conclusions on 
     invasive species--we strongly support your establishment of 
     `rapid response' funding to deal with incipient invasions. 
     There is broad consensus among organizations, scientists, and 
     state and federal agencies that eradicating invaders before 
     they become widely established is second only to prevention 
     as the most cost-effective and ultimately successful way to 
     stop invasions. This rapid response program will be critical 
     if the brown tree snake (Boiga irregularis) ever reaches 
     Hawaii from Guam, if the European green crab (Carcinus 
     maenas) ever reaches Alaska from California, or countless 
     other potential invasions occur on our coasts, inland 
     rangelands, grasslands, wetlands, and waterways.
       The Conservation Council of Hawaii strongly supports this 
     proposed legislation. We look forward to working with you and 
     your staff on this legislation to ensure its successful 
     passage.
           Sincerely,
                                                 Marjorie Ziegler,
     President, Conservation Council of Hawaii.
                                  ____

         State of Hawaii, Department of Land and Natural 
           Resources,
                                     Honolulu, HI, April 22, 2004.
     Hon. Daniel K. Akaka,
     Prince Kuhio Federal Building,
     Honolulu, HI.
       Dear Senator Akaka: I would like to thank you and 
     acknowledge the State of Hawaii's support for the Public Land 
     Conservation Act of 2004. We feel this legislation will 
     achieve its stated purpose of encouraging Federal, State, 
     local and nongovernmental partnerships to assess and control 
     invasive species on Federal and adjacent lands.
       I believe that Hawaii is the best state model for 
     developing strategies for federal agencies, not only to work 
     together more effectively, but also to work in partnership 
     with state and local government entities. Increasing success 
     in invasive species projects in Hawaii has come largely from 
     the formation of strong partnerships between State, County 
     and Federal agencies and private groups. Just as many 
     landowners and businesses are affected by the same invasive 
     species concerns, many agencies are responsible for the 
     pathways that bring potentially invasive species into Hawaii, 
     regulate their movement and control their spread.
       Partnerships to address invasive species issues have been 
     responsible for the greatest improvements in Hawaii's ability 
     to respond to recognized priority pests. In Hawaii, combining 
     limited resources, authority, and expertise has led to the 
     creation of Invasive Species Committees that carry out on the 
     ground actions, the Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species 
     that has allowed agency staff to develop integrated policies 
     within the state and most recently the Hawaii Invasive 
     Species Council composed of State agency heads.
       Implementation of current management plans developed by 
     coordinated efforts of relevant public agencies and affected 
     local constituents in Hawaii can help build the framework to 
     begin or enhance larger-scale regional strategies to combat 
     wide-ranging invasive species. Federal investments to support 
     local, State, and regional partners who are prepared to take 
     action now against known priority invasive species will 
     provide valuable lessons for other regions and promote 
     innovation and efficiency in protection and public outreach 
     strategies. By promoting their progress, these partnerships 
     will in turn help identify the policy and legal obstacles to 
     success as well as build a constituency for more effective 
     invasive-species prevention and control programs in other 
     areas.
       Please let me know of any way that we can help support this 
     important piece of legislation. Mahalo.
           Sincerely,
                                                   Peter T. Young,
                                                       Chairperson
                                 ______