[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 149 (Thursday, November 10, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2327-E2328]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         NATURAL RESOURCE PROTECTION COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JON C. PORTER

                               of nevada

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 10, 2005

  Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, protecting our Nation's natural resources is 
one of the greatest gifts that we can give to future generations. When 
one thinks of our national resources, images of Yellowstone National 
Park, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, or the Grand Canyon National 
Park often come to mind. However, in recent years, these areas have all 
experienced the devastating effects of invasive plant species such as 
salt cedar, or tamarisk.
  This is why I rise today to announce the introduction of the Natural 
Resource Protection Cooperative Agreement Act.
  Invasive plant species know no boundaries. According to the 
Department of the Interior, the National Park Service currently manages 
388 units, comprised of 84.4 million acres of land throughout the 
United States. Of these units, 196 have been cited as having ``serious 
problems'' due to invasive plant species.
  Today, I am introducing the Natural Resource Protection Cooperative 
Agreement Act.

[[Page E2328]]

The purpose of this bill is to allow the National Park Service to enter 
into cooperative agreements with State, local, educational, and Tribal 
experts to restore and protect these lands from the effects of invasive 
plant species. The goal of this legislation is to allow the National 
Park Service to work with those who are best able to remove these 
species before they enter federal units, putting the National Park 
Service into a better position to preserve our native species.
  Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for allowing me to speak on this important 
bill.

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