[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 31 (Tuesday, March 5, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E245]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                NATIONAL INVASIVE SPECIES AWARENESS WEEK

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 5, 2013

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize this week as 
National Invasive Species Awareness Week.
  The National Invasive Species Awareness Week is an opportunity to 
learn about invasive species in our communities and the risk they pose 
to our environments, economy, and native wildlife. These non-native 
plants, animals, and other microorganisms are costing our local 
communities, states, and the federal government millions of dollars 
each year. One species of concern for my district is Asian Carp.
  If left unchecked, Asian Carp will destroy local ecosystems and 
potentially risk thousands of jobs in my home state of Minnesota. Since 
the 1970s, this environmental-invader has overwhelmed the Mississippi 
watershed. Asian Carp now threatens an estimated 10,000 lakes and 
92,000 miles of rivers and streams in Minnesota. Jumping almost ten 
feet in the air, they pose a real hazard to boaters and fishermen. Our 
state is not alone in the devastating effects of this invasive species. 
Communities in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Iowa, Kentucky, 
Ohio, and Wisconsin have all been affected by Asian Carp.
  Earlier this year, I re-introduced the Strategic Response to Asian 
Carp Invasion Act (H.R. 358) along with Congressman Mike Kelly (R-PA). 
Effectively combatting this serious problem requires the federal 
government to be an equal partner, engaged with our states and local 
communities. Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Pat Toomey (R-PA) have 
introduced an identical version--S. 125.
  Our legislation will hold federal agencies accountable and improve 
their coordination with local authorities to slow the spread of Asian 
Carp. The bill would require the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to lead 
a new multi-agency effort that includes the Army Corps of Engineers, 
the National Park Service and the U.S. Geological, Survey to develop a 
coordinated strategy that supports on-going state and regional efforts 
as well as provide high-level technical assistance, best practices, and 
other resources.
  Ongoing work by the Asian Carp Regional Coordinating Commission, the 
Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, non-governmental organizations, our 
Canadian partners, and regional efforts demonstrate a broad recognition 
of the scope of this threat. However, no federal strategy currently 
exists to protect the Upper Mississippi and Ohio River basins and 
tributaries from this destructive, invasive species.
  The Strategic Response to Asian Carp Invasion Act has the endorsement 
of several national wide organizations such as Trout Unlimited, 
National Wildlife Federation, National Parks Conservation Association, 
and B.A.S.S.
  Last year, taxpayers paid an estimated $100 million for the control 
of Asian Carp. We will continue to waste taxpayer dollars without a 
national strategy that targets our resources, invests in new solutions, 
and coordinates ongoing, effective efforts to slow the spread of Asian 
Carp.

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