[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 149 (Tuesday, September 24, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H5725-H5726]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CONTINUED RAPID OHIA DEATH RESPONSE ACT OF 2023
Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 1726) to require the Secretary of the Interior to partner
and collaborate with the Secretary of Agriculture and the State of
Hawaii to address Rapid Ohia Death, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 1726
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 ``Continued Rapid Ohia Death
Response Act of 2023''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Rapid ohia death.--The term ``Rapid Ohia Death'' means
the disease caused by the fungal pathogen known as
Ceratocystis fimbriata that affects the tree of the species
Metrosideros polymorpha.
(2) State.--The term ``State'' means the State of Hawaii.
SEC. 3. COLLABORATION.
The Secretary of the Interior shall partner and collaborate
with the Secretary of Agriculture and the State to address
Rapid Ohia Death.
SEC. 4. SUSTAINED EFFORTS.
(a) Transmission.--The Secretary of the Interior, acting
through the Director of the United States Geological Survey,
and the Chief of the Forest Service, acting through the
Forest Service Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry, shall
continue to conduct research on Rapid Ohia Death vectors and
transmission.
(b) Ungulate Management.--The Secretary of the Interior,
acting through the Director of the United States Fish and
Wildlife Service, shall continue to partner with the
Secretary of Agriculture, the State, and with local
stakeholders to manage ungulates in Rapid Ohia Death control
areas on Federal, State, and private land, with the consent
of private landowners.
(c) Restoration and Research.--The Secretary of
Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service,
shall continue to provide--
(1) financial assistance, including through agreements with
the Secretary of the Interior--
(A) to prevent the spread of Rapid Ohia Death; and
(B) to restore the native forests of the State; and
(2) staff and necessary infrastructure funding to the
Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry to conduct research on
Rapid Ohia Death.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Arkansas (Mr. Westerman) and the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Ocasio-
Cortez) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Arkansas.
General Leave
Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks
on H.R. 1726, the bill now under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Arkansas?
There was no objection.
Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, Representative Tokuda's legislation, the Continued Rapid
Ohia Death Response Act, directs the Secretary of the Interior to
partner and collaborate with the Secretary of Agriculture and the State
of Hawaii to address rapid ohia death.
Rapid ohia death is a fungal disease that has devastated Hawaii's
ohia tree population. The ohia tree is important ecologically and
culturally to Hawaii. Ohias regulate water flow and help prevent soil
erosion. The continued loss of ohia trees can have significant economic
impacts, including the loss of tourism revenue and increased water
treatment and erosion control cost. Unfortunately, there is currently
no cure that can help the affected trees.
H.R. 1726 would help address rapid ohia death by focusing Federal and
State agencies' efforts on detection, prevention, and restoration
efforts for combating this disease.
I recognize Representative Tokuda for her work on this legislation,
and I reserve the balance of my time.
House of Representatives,
Committee on Agriculture,
Washington, DC, September 15, 2023.
Hon. Bruce Westerman,
Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources,
Washington, DC,
Dear Mr. Chairman: This letter confirms our mutual
understanding regarding H.R. 1726, the ``Continued Rapid Ohia
Death Response Act of 2023''. Thank you for collaborating
with the Committee on Agriculture on the matters within our
jurisdiction.
The Committee on Agriculture will forego any further
consideration of this bill. However, by foregoing
consideration at this time, we do not waive any jurisdiction
over any subject matter contained in this or similar
legislation. The Committee on Agriculture also reserves the
right to seek appointment of an appropriate number of
conferees should it become necessary and ask that you support
such a request.
We would appreciate a response to this letter confirming
this understanding with respect to H.R. 1726 and request a
copy of our letters on this matter be published in the
Congressional Record during Floor consideration.
Sincerely,
Glenn ``GT'' Thompson,
Chairman.
____
House of Representatives,
Committee on Natural Resources,
Washington, DC, September 18, 2023.
Hon. Glenn ``GT'' Thompson,
Chairman, Committee on Agriculture,
Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: I write regarding H.R. 1726, the
``Continued Rapid Ohia Death Response Act of 2023,'' which
was ordered reported by the Committee on Natural Resources on
June 21, 2023.
I recognize that the bill contains provisions that fall
within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Agriculture and
appreciate your willingness to forgo any further
consideration of the bill. I acknowledge that the Committee
on Agriculture will not formally consider H.R. 1726 and agree
that the inaction of your Committee with respect to the bill
does not waive any jurisdiction over the subject matter
contained therein.
I am pleased to support your request to name members of the
Committee on Agriculture to any conference committee to
consider such provisions. I will ensure that our exchange of
letters is included in the Congressional Record during floor
consideration of the bill. I appreciate your cooperation
regarding this legislation.
Sincerely,
Bruce Westerman,
Chairman,
Committee on Natural Resources.
Ms. OCASIO-CORTEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1726, the
Continued Rapid Ohia Death Response Act of 2023, introduced by my
colleague from Hawaii, Representative Jill Tokuda.
This vital legislation addresses the urgent need to combat rapid ohia
death, or ROD, which has already led to the loss of over 1 million
native ohia lehua trees in Hawaii since its discovery in 2014.
The significance of these trees cannot be overstated. They are
Hawaii's most abundant native trees and play a crucial role in
preserving the State's unique biodiversity and protecting its
ecosystems.
It is essential that we take immediate action to prevent further
devastation and ensure the survival of this iconic species.
This bill emphasizes the need for research and aid to enhance our
understanding of this deadly fungus and explore innovative solutions to
combat its impact.
Furthermore, the bill fosters collaboration between Federal agencies,
the State of Hawaii, and local stakeholders.
[[Page H5726]]
The comprehensive approach will help mitigate the threat of ROD and
protect Hawaii's native forests and ecosystems, so that we can
safeguard Hawaii's ohia trees for future generations and preserve the
unique ecosystems and rich biodiversity that make our Nation so
exceptional.
I commend my colleague, Representative Tokuda, for championing this
important legislation. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this
bill and reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and
I am prepared to close. I continue to reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. OCASIO-CORTEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume
to the gentlewoman from Hawaii (Ms. Tokuda), the sponsor of the bill.
Ms. TOKUDA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1726,
the Continued Rapid Ohia Death Response Act of 2023.
Ohia lehua trees form the backbone of Hawaii's forests and
watersheds. It is the first tree that you will see spring up from a
recent lava flow.
It grows from the sea level to 8,000 feet, and it protects our
communities by literally keeping our mountains from eroding.
Ohia lehua also provides critical habitat for Hawaii's federally
endangered forest birds and many other species.
They are what you call a keystone species in Hawaii's forests, and
its catastrophic decline has the potential to cause major ecosystem
imbalances that would impact watersheds, cultural traditions, natural
resources, and the safety and quality of life of our people.
Because of this vital role they play in maintaining Hawaii's forest
canopies and watersheds, rapid ohia death, or ROD, poses a lethal
threat to the ecological balance and everyday life in our islands.
Initially reported in 2010, ROD has already spread to tens of
thousands of acres and killed over a million trees on Hawaii island
alone.
Large swaths of dead ohia trees pose a fire risk and a danger and are
more prone to habitat-modifying noxious weeds and trees like miconia
and strawberry guava, all of which are known to greatly impact
watershed health and alter ecosystem function.
Despite efforts to contain the spread of ROD to Hawaii island through
restrictions on the movement of plant material and increased sanitation
protocols, ROD has now been found on the islands of Oahu, Kauai, and
Maui.
Because there is no known cure for ROD, it has the potential to kill
off ohia trees statewide and devastate our precious island ecosystems.
While ROD creates acres of deadly fire fuel with its dry and dead
trees and poses a critical threat to our native birds, our native
forests, watersheds, critically endangered forest birds, and I should
note, natural beauty, support for combating ROD has been extremely
limited.
For example, the Lyon Arboretum, a local research facility on Oahu,
relied on funding through a GoFundMe campaign to further the vital seed
banking of ohia lehua.
My bill, the Continued Rapid Ohia Death Response Act, seeks to
address ROD and the urgent threat it presents.
The bill requires the Secretary of the Interior to partner and
collaborate with the Secretary of Agriculture and the State of Hawaii
to address ROD. It also supports ongoing detection, prevention, and
restoration efforts to combat rapid ohia death.
I thank Chairman Westerman, Ranking Member Grijalva, and especially
Federal lands Ranking Member Neguse and his staff for their support and
assistance on this bill.
We cannot stand alone, and we cannot lose our native forests in
Hawaii. It protects and sustains our people and provides critical
habitat for native species.
This bill is essential in turning the tide in the fight against rapid
ohia death and protecting and preserving ohia lehua and Hawaii's unique
ecosystems for our future generations.
I thank again all who have supported it, and I urge my colleagues to
vote ``yes''.
Ms. OCASIO-CORTEZ. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the
legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, the ohia tree is important to Hawaii's
ecosystem, people, and the economy. This legislation will help focus
Federal and State resources on conserving one of the most important
tree species in Hawaii.
Mr. Speaker, I recognize and support my colleague Ms. Tokuda's work
on this issue, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Westerman) that the House suspend the
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 1726, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________