[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 20]
[House]
[Pages 27818-27823]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   REFUGE ECOLOGY PROTECTION, ASSISTANCE, AND IMMEDIATE RESPONSE ACT

  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 767) to protect, conserve, and restore native fish, 
wildlife, and their natural habitats at national wildlife refuges 
through cooperative, incentive-based grants to control, mitigate, and 
eradicate harmful nonnative species, and for other purposes, as 
amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                                H.R. 767

       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 ``Refuge Ecology Protection, 
     Assistance, and Immediate Response Act''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.

       (a) Findings.--The Congress finds the following:
       (1) The National Wildlife Refuge System is the premier land 
     conservation system in the world.
       (2) Harmful nonnative species are the leading cause of 
     habitat destruction in national wildlife refuges.

[[Page 27819]]

       (3) More than 675 known harmful nonnative species are found 
     in the National Wildlife Refuge System.
       (4) Nearly 8 million acres of the National Wildlife Refuge 
     System contain harmful nonnative species.
       (5) The cost of early identification and removal of harmful 
     nonnative species is dramatically lower than removing an 
     established invasive population.
       (6) The cost of the backlog of harmful nonnative species 
     control projects that need to be carried out in the National 
     Wildlife Refuge System is over $361,000,000, and the failure 
     to carry out such projects threatens the ability of the 
     System to fulfill its basic mission.
       (b) Purpose.--The purpose of this Act is to encourage 
     partnerships among the United States Fish and Wildlife 
     Service, other Federal agencies, States, Indian tribes, and 
     other interests for the following objectives:
       (1) To protect, enhance, restore, and manage a diversity of 
     habitats for native fish and wildlife resources within the 
     National Wildlife Refuge System through control of harmful 
     nonnative species.
       (2) To promote the development of voluntary State 
     assessments to establish priorities for controlling harmful 
     nonnative species that threaten or negatively impact refuge 
     resources.
       (3) To promote greater cooperation among Federal, State, 
     and local land and water managers, and owners of private 
     land, water rights, or other interests, to implement 
     ecologically based strategies to eradicate, mitigate, and 
     control harmful nonnative species that threaten or negatively 
     impact refuge resources through a voluntary and incentive-
     based financial assistance grant program.
       (4) To establish an immediate response capability to combat 
     incipient harmful nonnative species invasions.

     SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

       For the purposes of this Act:
       (1) Advisory committee.--The term ``Advisory Committee'' 
     means the Invasive Species Advisory Committee established by 
     section 3 of Executive Order 13112, dated February 3, 1999.
       (2) Appropriate committees.--The term ``appropriate 
     Committees'' means the Committee on Natural Resources of the 
     House of Representatives and the Committee on Environment and 
     Public Works of the Senate.
       (3) Control.--The term ``control'' means, as appropriate, 
     eradicating, suppressing, reducing, or managing harmful 
     nonnative species from areas where they are present; taking 
     steps to detect early infestations on at-risk native 
     habitats; and restoring native species and habitats to reduce 
     the effects of harmful nonnative species.
       (4) Environmental soundness.--The term ``environmental 
     soundness'' means the extent of inclusion of methods, 
     efforts, actions, or programs to prevent or control 
     infestations of harmful nonnative species, that--
       (A) minimize adverse impacts to the structure and function 
     of an ecosystem and adverse effects on nontarget species and 
     ecosystems; and
       (B) emphasize integrated management techniques.
       (5) Harmful nonnative species.--The term ``harmful 
     nonnative species'' means, with respect to a particular 
     ecosystem in a particular region, any species, including its 
     seeds, eggs, spores, or other biological material capable of 
     propagating that species, that is not native to that 
     ecosystem and has a demonstrable or potentially demonstrable 
     negative environmental or economic impact in that region.
       (6) Indian tribe.--The term ``Indian tribe'' has the 
     meaning given that term in section 4 of the Indian Self-
     Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b).
       (7) National management plan.--The term ``National 
     Management Plan'' means the management plan referred to in 
     section 5 of Executive Order 13112 of February 3, 1999, and 
     entitled ``Meeting the Invasive Species Challenge''.
       (8) Refuge resources.--The term ``refuge resources'' means 
     all lands and waters, including the fish and wildlife species 
     and the ecosystems and habitats therein, that are owned and 
     managed by the Federal Government through the United States 
     Fish and Wildlife Service and located within the National 
     Wildlife Refuge System administered under the National 
     Wildlife Refuge Administration Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 668dd 
     et seq.), including any waterfowl production area.
       (9) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of the Interior, acting through the Director of the United 
     States Fish and Wildlife Service.
       (10) State.--The term ``State'' means each of the several 
     States of the United States, the District of Columbia, the 
     Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, 
     American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana 
     Islands, any other territory or possession of the United 
     States, and any Indian tribe.

     SEC. 4. REFUGE ECOLOGY PROTECTION, ASSISTANCE, AND IMMEDIATE 
                   RESPONSE (REPAIR) GRANT PROGRAM.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary may provide--
       (1) a grant to any eligible applicant to carry out a 
     qualified control project in accordance with this section; 
     and
       (2) a grant to any State to carry out an assessment project 
     consistent with relevant State plans that have been developed 
     in whole or in part for the conservation of native fish, 
     wildlife, and their habitats, and in accordance with this 
     section, to--
       (A) identify harmful nonnative species that occur in the 
     State that threaten or negatively impact refuge resources;
       (B) assess the needs to restore, manage, or enhance native 
     fish and wildlife and their natural habitats and processes in 
     the State to compliment activities to control, mitigate, or 
     eradicate harmful nonnative species negatively impacting 
     refuge resources;
       (C) identify priorities for actions to address such needs;
       (D) identify mechanisms to increase capacity building in a 
     State or across State lines to conserve and protect native 
     fish and wildlife and their habitats and to detect and 
     control harmful nonnative species that might threaten or 
     negatively impact refuge resources within the State; and
       (E) incorporate, where applicable, the guidelines of the 
     National Management Plan.

     The grant program under this section shall be known as the 
     ``Refuge Ecology Protection, Assistance, and Immediate 
     Response Grant Program'' or the ``REPAIR Program''.

       (b) Functions of the Secretary.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary shall--
       (A) publish guidelines for and solicit applications for 
     grants under this section not later than 6 months after the 
     date of enactment of this Act;
       (B) receive, review, evaluate, and approve applications for 
     grants under this section;
       (C) consult with the Advisory Committee on the projects 
     proposed for grants under this section, including regarding 
     the scientific merit, technical merit, feasibility, and 
     priority of proposed projects for such grants; and
       (D) consult with the Advisory Committee regarding the 
     development of the database required under subsection (j).
       (2) Delegation of authority.--The Secretary may delegate to 
     another Federal instrumentality the authority of the 
     Secretary under this section, other than the authority to 
     approve applications for grants and make grants.
       (c) Functions of the Advisory Committee.--The Advisory 
     Committee shall--
       (1) consult with the Secretary to create criteria and 
     guidelines for grants under this section;
       (2) consult with the Secretary regarding whether proposed 
     control projects are qualified control projects; and
       (3) carry out functions relating to monitoring control 
     projects under subsection (j).
       (d) Eligible Applicant.--To be an eligible applicant for 
     purposes of subsection (a)(1), an applicant shall--
       (1) be a State, local government, interstate or regional 
     agency, university, or private person;
       (2) have adequate personnel, funding, and authority to 
     carry out and monitor or maintain a control project; and
       (3) have entered into an agreement with the Secretary or a 
     designee of the Secretary, for a national wildlife refuge or 
     refuge complex.
       (e) Qualified Control Project.--
       (1) In general.--To be a qualified control project under 
     this section, a project shall--
       (A) control harmful nonnative species on the lands or 
     waters on which it is conducted;
       (B) include a plan for monitoring the project area and 
     maintaining effective control of harmful nonnative species 
     after the completion of the project, that is consistent with 
     standards for monitoring developed under subsection (j);
       (C) be conducted in partnership with a national wildlife 
     refuge or refuge complex;
       (D) be conducted on lands or waters, other than national 
     wildlife refuge lands or waters, that, for purposes of 
     carrying out the project, are under the control of the 
     eligible applicant applying for the grant under this section 
     and on adjacent national wildlife refuge lands or waters 
     administered by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service 
     referred to in subparagraph (C), that are--
       (i) administered for the long-term conservation of such 
     lands and waters and the native fish and wildlife dependent 
     thereon; and
       (ii) managed to prevent the future reintroduction or 
     dispersal of harmful nonnative species from the lands and 
     waters on which the project is carried out; and
       (E) encourage public notice and outreach on control project 
     activities in the affected community.
       (2) Other factors for selection of projects.--In ranking 
     qualified control projects, the Director may consider the 
     following:
       (A) The extent to which a project would address the 
     operational and maintenance backlog attributed to harmful 
     nonnative species on refuge resources.
       (B) Whether a project will encourage increased coordination 
     and cooperation among one or more Federal agencies and State 
     or local government agencies or nongovernmental or other 
     private entities to control harmful nonnative species 
     threatening or negatively impacting refuge resources.
       (C) Whether a project fosters public-private partnerships 
     and uses Federal resources

[[Page 27820]]

     to encourage increased private sector involvement, including 
     consideration of the amount of private funds or in-kind 
     contributions to control harmful nonnative species or 
     national wildlife refuge lands or non-Federal lands in 
     proximity to refuge resources.
       (D) The extent to which a project would aid the 
     conservation of species that are listed under the Endangered 
     Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).
       (E) Whether a project includes pilot testing or a 
     demonstration of an innovative technology having the 
     potential for improved cost-effectiveness in controlling 
     harmful nonnative species.
       (F) The extent to which a project considers the potential 
     for unintended consequences of control methods on ecosystems 
     and includes contingency measures.
       (f) Distribution of Control Grant Awards.--In making grants 
     for control projects under this section the Secretary shall, 
     to the greatest extent practicable, ensure--
       (1) a balance of smaller and larger projects conducted with 
     grants under this section; and
       (2) an equitable geographic distribution of projects 
     carried out with grants under this section, among all regions 
     and States within which such projects are proposed to be 
     conducted.
       (g) Grant Duration.--
       (1) In general.--Each grant under this section shall be to 
     provide funding for the Federal share of the cost of a 
     project carried out with the grant for up to 2 fiscal years.
       (2) Renewal.--(A) If the Secretary, after reviewing the 
     reports under subsection (h) regarding a control project, 
     finds that the project is making satisfactory progress, the 
     Secretary may renew a grant under this section for the 
     project for an additional 3 fiscal years.
       (B) The Secretary may renew a grant under this section to 
     implement the monitoring and maintenance plan required for a 
     control project under subsection (e)(1)(B) for up to 5 fiscal 
     years after the project is otherwise completed.
       (h) Reporting by Grantee.--
       (1) In general.--(A) A grantee carrying out a control 
     project with a grant under this section shall report to the 
     Secretary every 24 months or at the expiration of the grant, 
     whichever is of shorter duration.
       (B) A State carrying out an assessment project with a grant 
     under this section shall submit the assessment pursuant to 
     subsection (a)(2) to the Secretary no later than 24 months 
     after the date on which the grant is awarded.
       (2) Report contents.--Each report under this subsection 
     shall include the following information with respect to each 
     project covered by the report:
       (A) In the case of a control project--
       (i) the information described in subparagraphs (B), (D), 
     and (F) of subsection (k)(2);
       (ii) specific information on the methods and techniques 
     used to control harmful nonnative species in the project 
     area; and
       (iii) specific information on the methods and techniques 
     used to restore native fish, wildlife, or their habitats in 
     the project area.
       (B) A detailed report of the funding for the grant and the 
     expenditures made.
       (3) Interim update.--Each grantee under subsection 
     (h)(1)(A) of this section shall also submit annually a brief 
     synopsis to the Secretary, either electronically or in 
     writing, that includes--
       (A) a chronological list of project progress; and
       (B) use of awarded funds.
       (i) Cost Sharing for Projects.--
       (1) Federal share.--Except as provided in paragraphs (2) 
     and (3), the Federal share of the cost of a project carried 
     out with a grant under this section shall not exceed 75 
     percent of such cost.
       (2) Innovative technology costs.--The Federal share of the 
     incremental additional cost of including in a control project 
     any pilot testing or a demonstration of an innovative 
     technology described in subsection (e)(2)(E) shall be 85 
     percent.
       (3) Projects on refuge lands or waters.--The Federal share 
     of the cost of the portion of a control project funded with a 
     grant under this section that is carried out on national 
     wildlife refuge lands or waters, including the cost of 
     acquisition by the Federal Government of lands or waters for 
     use for such a project, shall be 100 percent.
       (4) Application of in-kind contributions.--The Secretary 
     may apply to the non-Federal share of costs of a control 
     project carried out with a grant under this section the fair 
     market value of services or any other form of in-kind 
     contribution to the project made by non-Federal interests 
     that the Secretary determines to be an appropriate 
     contribution equivalent to the monetary amount required for 
     the non-Federal share of the activity.
       (5) 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.
       (j) Monitoring and Maintenance of Control Grant Projects.--
       (1) Requirements.--The Secretary, in consultation with the 
     Advisory Committee, shall develop requirements for the 
     monitoring and maintenance of a control project to ensure 
     that the requirements under subsections (e)(1)(A) and (B) are 
     achieved.
       (2) Database of grant project information.--The Secretary 
     shall develop and maintain an appropriate database of 
     information concerning control projects carried out with 
     grants under this subsection, including information on 
     project techniques, project completion, monitoring data, and 
     other relevant information.
       (3) Use of existing programs.--The Secretary shall use 
     existing programs within the Department of the Interior to 
     create and maintain the database required under this 
     subsection.
       (4) Public availability.--The Secretary shall make the 
     information collected and maintained under this subsection 
     available to the public.
       (k) Reporting by the Secretary.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary shall, by not later than 3 
     years after the date of the enactment of this Act and 
     biennially thereafter in the report under section 8, report 
     to the appropriate Committees on the implementation of this 
     section.
       (2) Report contents.--A report under paragraph (1) shall 
     include an assessment of--
       (A) trends in the population size and distribution of 
     harmful nonnative species in the project area for each 
     control project carried out with a grant under this section, 
     and in the adjacent areas as defined by the Secretary;
       (B) data on the number of acres of refuge resources and 
     native fish and wildlife habitat restored, protected, or 
     enhanced under this section, including descriptions of, and 
     partners involved with, control projects selected, in 
     progress, and completed under this section;
       (C) trends in the population size and distribution in the 
     project areas of native species targeted for restoration, and 
     in areas in proximity to refuge resources as defined by the 
     Secretary;
       (D) an estimate of the long-term success of varying 
     conservation techniques used in carrying out control projects 
     with grants under this section;
       (E) an assessment of the status of control projects carried 
     out with grants under this section, including an accounting 
     of expenditures by the United States Fish and Wildlife 
     Service, State, regional, and local government agencies, and 
     other entities to carry out such projects;
       (F) a review of the environmental soundness of the control 
     projects carried out with grants under this section;
       (G) a review of efforts made to maintain an appropriate 
     database of grants under this section; and
       (H) a review of the geographical distribution of Federal 
     money, matching funds, and in-kind contributions for control 
     projects carried out with grants under this section.
       (l) Cooperation of Non-Federal Interests.--The Secretary 
     may not make a grant under this section for a control project 
     on national wildlife refuge lands or lands in proximity to 
     refuge resources before a non-Federal interest has entered 
     into a written agreement with a national wildlife refuge or 
     refuge complex under which the non-Federal interest agrees 
     to--
       (1) monitor and maintain the control project in accordance 
     with the plan required under subsection (e)(1)(B); and
       (2) provide any other items of cooperation the Secretary 
     considers necessary to carry out the project.

     SEC. 5. CREATION OF AN IMMEDIATE RESPONSE CAPABILITY TO 
                   HARMFUL NONNATIVE SPECIES.

       (a) Establishment.--The Secretary may provide financial 
     assistance for a period of one fiscal year to enable an 
     immediate response to outbreaks of harmful nonnative species 
     that threaten or may negatively impact refuge resources that 
     are at a stage at which rapid eradication or control is 
     possible, and ensure eradication or immediate control of the 
     harmful nonnative species.
       (b) Requirements for Assistance.--The Secretary shall 
     provide assistance under this section, with the concurrence 
     of the Governor of a State, to local and State agencies, 
     universities, or nongovernmental entities for the eradication 
     of an immediate harmful nonnative species threat only if--
       (1) there is a demonstrated need for the assistance;
       (2) the harmful nonnative species is considered to be an 
     immediate threat to refuge resources, as determined by the 
     Secretary; and
       (3) the proposed response to such threat--
       (A) is technically feasible; and
       (B) minimizes adverse impacts to the structure and function 
     of national wildlife refuge ecosystems and adverse effects on 
     nontarget species.
       (c) Amount of Financial Assistance.--The Secretary shall 
     determine the amount of financial assistance to be provided 
     under this section with respect to an outbreak of a harmful 
     nonnative species, subject to the availability of 
     appropriations.
       (d) Cost Share.--The Federal share of the cost of any 
     activity carried out with assistance under this section may 
     be up to 100 percent.
       (e) Monitoring and Reporting.--The Secretary shall require 
     that persons receiving assistance under this section monitor 
     and report on activities carried out with assistance

[[Page 27821]]

     under this section in accordance with the requirements that 
     apply with respect to control projects carried out with 
     assistance under section 4.

     SEC. 6. COOPERATIVE VOLUNTEER HARMFUL NON-NATIVE SPECIES 
                   MONITORING AND CONTROL PROGRAM.

       (a) In General.--Consistent with the National Wildlife 
     Refuge System Volunteer and Community Partnership Enhancement 
     Act of 1998 (Public Law 105-242), the Secretary shall 
     establish a cooperative volunteer harmful non-native species 
     monitoring and control program to administer and coordinate 
     projects implemented by partner organizations concerned with 
     national wildlife refuges to address harmful non-native 
     species that threaten national wildlife refuges or adjacent 
     lands.
       (b) Eligible Activities.--Each project administered and 
     coordinated under this section shall include one of the 
     following activities:
       (1) Habitat surveys.
       (2) Detection and identification of new introductions or 
     infestations of harmful nonnative species.
       (3) Harmful non-native species control projects.
       (4) Public education and outreach to increase awareness 
     concerning harmful non-native species and their threat to the 
     refuge system.

     SEC. 7. RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER AUTHORITIES.

       (a) Authorities, etc. of Secretary.--Nothing in this Act 
     affects authorities, responsibilities, obligations, or powers 
     of the Secretary under any other statute.
       (b) State Authority.--Nothing in this Act preempts any 
     provision or enforcement of State statute or regulation 
     relating to the management of fish and wildlife resources 
     within such State.

     SEC. 8. BIENNIAL REPORT.

       The Secretary shall prepare and submit to the Congress by 
     not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act and biennially thereafter--
       (1) a comprehensive report summarizing all grant activities 
     relating to invasive species initiated under this Act 
     including--
       (A) State assessment projects;
       (B) qualified control projects;
       (C) immediate response activities; and
       (D) projects identified in the Refuge Operations Needs 
     database or the Service Asset and Maintenance Management 
     System database of the United States Fish and Wildlife 
     Service.
       (2) a list of grant priorities, ranked in high, medium, and 
     low categories, for future grant activities in the areas of--
       (A) early detection and rapid response;
       (B) control, management, and restoration;
       (C) research and monitoring;
       (D) information management; and
       (E) public outreach and partnership efforts; and
       (3) information required to be included under section 4(k).

     SEC. 9. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       (a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated to 
     carry out this Act such sums as may be necessary.
       (b) Allowance for Immediate Response.--Of the amounts 
     appropriated to carry out this Act no more than 25 percent 
     shall be available in any fiscal year for financial 
     assistance under section 5.
       (c) Continuing Availability.--Amounts appropriated under 
     this Act may remain available until expended.
       (d) Administrative Expenses.--Of amounts available each 
     fiscal year to carry out this Act, the Secretary may expend 
     not more than 3 percent or up to $100,000, whichever is 
     greater, to pay the administrative expenses necessary to 
     carry out this Act.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
Guam (Ms. Bordallo) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gohmert) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Guam.


                             General Leave

  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to 
include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Guam?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  H.R. 767, as amended, would give the Secretary of the Interior 
additional tools to combat harmful nonnative species that are hurting 
native wildlife and plants on our national wildlife refuges. I commend 
the author of this bill, Representative Ron Kind, for his leadership 
and on other matters affecting the National Wildlife Refuge System.
  H.R. 767, as amended, authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to 
issue grants to States to assess the extent of invasive species 
affecting refuges. The Secretary may also provide matching grants to 
entities for the control, mitigation, and eradication of invasive 
species on refuges and adjoining non-Federal lands.
  The bill, as amended, includes a provision authorizing the Secretary 
to give States financial assistance to address invasive species 
outbreaks in emergency situations.
  H.R. 767, as amended, will encourage the development of partnerships 
to address the threat of invasive species on a cooperative landscape 
basis. I urge adoption of the bill, as amended.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. GOHMERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 767, the REPAIR 
Act, as it is called, and yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I would like to also congratulate and thank my dear friend from Guam. 
She gives hope to this country and encouragement by showing that there 
is class and there is graciousness in this body, and it exists in the 
delegate from Guam. She also carries that out as chairman of the 
subcommittee.
  Now, the effectiveness of the REPAIR Act will be in direct proportion 
to the amount of money Congress allocates. We simply cannot afford to 
let our wildlife refuges be systematically destroyed by invasive 
species, and that is happening. This legislation is a positive step 
because it offers hope in the fight against invasives in the future.
  One such species is the giant silvinia, a plant that has made its way 
across many lakes as it has entered Texas. It is a small harmless-
looking little aquatic plant that finds itself on boat trailers leaving 
a lake. When the boat trailer is lowered into another lake, the 
nightmare floating plant finds itself in a new lake, and it can take 
over. It doubles its size in less than a week, and in no time covers 
acres, shutting off sunlight, killing off plants underneath, which 
results in aquatic life dying. It must be fought and eradicated without 
doing damage to the lake during the fight. Such a battle takes many 
good minds and hard workers coming together to prevent this creeping 
menace from being the last thing left in a lake alive.
  In Louisiana, there are cities like Shreveport whose sources of 
drinking water are being put in jeopardy by this freak of nature. Just 
recently I toured Caddo Lake, the largest freshwater natural lake at 
one time and a true treasure for America with its cypress trees, 
Spanish moss, and unusual fish. We had a joint task force of biologists 
and brilliant environmental problem-solvers from Federal, State, 
private groups, who all had the same goal: eradicate the invasion of 
this foreign species without doing damage to the lake.
  I just want to read a list of the types of people that are willing to 
come together when we deal with something that is such a grave threat 
to our water supplies.
  We had Dan Turner, representing Congressman Jim McCrery of Louisiana; 
Ken Shaw, chairman, Cypress Valley Navigation District; Robert Speight, 
President, Greater Caddo Lake Association; Jack Canson, community 
response coordinator; Mark Williams, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, Caddo Lake 
National Wildlife Refuge manager; Al Tasker, USDA/Animal Plant Health 
Inspection Service; Dustin Grant, USDA/Plant Protection and Quarantine, 
State operations support officer; Dr. Earl Chilton, Texas Parks & 
Wildlife, and a member of the Invasive Species Advisory Committee for 
the National Invasive Species Council, Department of the Interior; Paul 
Hoffman, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Department of Interior/NISC; also 
Dr. Michael Grodowitz, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, biocontrol expert; 
Dr. Randy Westbrooks, U.S. Geological Survey, invasive plant 
coordinator; Judge Richard Anderson, Harrison County judge; Jerry 
Lomax, Harrison County Precinct 1 commissioner; C.E. Bourne, Marion 
County Precinct 3 commissioner for Judge Parker; Sam Canup, mayor of 
the City of Uncertain, and that is a real city, Uncertain, Texas; Jay 
Webb, Caddo Lake Chamber of Commerce; Bill Abney, Red River Compact; 
Walt Sears, manager, Northeast Texas Municipal Water District;

[[Page 27822]]

Dwight Shellman, Caddo Lake Institute; Todd Dickenson, manager, Caddo 
Lake State Park; Alan Grantham, Dallas Caddo Club; Connie Ware, 
Marshall Chamber of Commerce; Dr. Jim Harris, Marshall Chamber of 
Commerce, Water Committee Chair; and Sam Moseley of Marshall.
  It just points up how important what this bill addresses is. These 
are invasive species that come into lakes and to parks and take over 
and destroy the native habitat that we are trying to preserve. I have 
to say, when we had this meeting that went on for a number of hours, I 
don't recall one time during the entire meeting where anybody ever 
asked what party anybody ever supported politically. It was all about 
trying to protect what God had graced this country with, and it is 
wonderful to see that kind of support.
  But what is very clear is that we cannot fight off these nonnative 
invasive species unless we work together in a bipartisan, in a 
cumulative fashion with all these different scientists, biologists, 
governmental groups coming together, because it affects so many 
different areas. It's one of the reasons I am so grateful to my friend 
from Guam and for all of those that have worked to help make this 
possible. We have got to preserve what we have got, and this is one of 
the ways to do it.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my dear friend across the 
aisle, Mr. Gohmert, the gentleman from Texas, for his very kind words.
  Mr. Speaker, I recognize the gentleman, my colleague from American 
Samoa (Mr. Faleomavaega) for 1 minute.
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. I do want to commend the distinguished gentlelady 
who serves as Chair of our Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans Subcommittee 
in the Natural Resources Committee, and I want to associate myself with 
the comments made earlier by our colleague from the other side of the 
aisle, the gentleman from Texas. This is not a Republican or Democratic 
issue. This is something that really is important that serves the best 
interests of our Nation.
  I know my good friend, the gentleman from Wisconsin, would have been 
here on the floor, but I am sure he probably had some transportation 
problems coming here today. I want to commend him especially for his 
leadership and for the tremendous service that he has rendered in 
promoting the interests of wildlife and refuge conservation measures, 
also as a distinguished member of the subcommittee; but I also want to 
note that I know he would have spoken, and not only in support of a 
bill that he has sponsored, but certainly for his knowledge and his 
commitment in dealing with the issues and conservation and wildlife 
refuges.
  Mr. GOHMERT. Mr. Speaker, once again, some people advocate mechanical 
removal of an invasive species; others advocate using natural means, 
whether it's an insect or a fish or something to help control an 
invasive species. Some offer that there are chemical means for dealing 
with those.
  But unless we come together on a bill like this, bringing all the 
different entities with all the difference weapons at their command, we 
are not going to be able to control some of these species. Some of 
them, like the giant silvinia, are so resistant to so much, and they 
hide among other plants until they take over and just spread so 
rapidly, that we must come together.
  It is gratifying to see such bipartisan effort in trying to hold on 
to the land we love.
  Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 767, 
the Refuge Ecology Protection, Assistance, and Immediate Response Act, 
which I authored. Passage of this legislation today will bring us one 
step closer to giving our National Wildlife Refuge System a vital tool 
in the war being waged against invasive species.
  For too long, our National Wildlife Refuges have been overlooked and 
neglected. The Refuge System has forged on as a System under siege from 
a number of fronts. Paramount among these has been the steady march of 
invasive plants and animals that have come from other places and 
literally taken over, crowding out the very wildlife and habitat the 
refuges are charged with protecting. Experts and refuge managers at the 
Fish and Wildlife Service have identified invasives as the number one 
threat to the biological integrity of our National Wildlife Refuges. 
Nevertheless, without the resources to maintain even the most basic 
functions and infrastructure--indeed, many refuge units do not have any 
dedicated staff at all--refuges have been able to do little to respond 
to invasive species.
  This House has affirmed its commitment to our wildlife refuges by 
approving the largest-ever budget increase for the Refuge System in the 
FY08 Interior Appropriations bill. This money will begin to bring the 
System's budget to a level where it can stop cutting employees and 
shuttering refuges and begin to address its pressing maintenance and 
management needs. This is a good start. But with all the challenges 
that face our refuges, there is still a great need to focus resources 
on preventing the spread of invasive species. That is why we must pass 
the REPAIR Act here today.
  H.R. 767 authorizes new grants that will bring the Fish and Wildlife 
Service together with State agencies, community groups, and private 
citizens to form a united front against invasives. The bill confronts 
the challenge of invasive species through a two-pronged approach. 
First, it authorizes immediate response grants when a harmful non-
native species has been identified as an immediate threat to a refuge 
at a stage at which rapid eradication is possible. This way we will be 
able to prevent new invasive species from taking hold and wreaking 
havoc on refuge ecosystems.
  The second line of defense in the bill are REPAIR grants, which 
contribute to a more long-term strategy for combating existing 
invasives. These grants would go to States, local governments, 
community groups, or individuals to remove harmful non-native species 
and promote native species and their habitat on lands and waters in and 
adjacent to National Wildlife Refuges. Additionally, the grants could 
be used to complete assessment projects consistent with existing State 
wildlife conservation plans to identify invasive species, assess the 
needs on the ground, and target resources to address the problem 
adequately and efficiently.
  All grants would be awarded on a competitive basis and include 
monitoring and reporting requirements to ensure proper oversight 
ability by the Fish and Wildlife Service. The Federal grants would 
cover 100 percent of the cost for projects within refuges and for 
immediate response projects, but a non-Federal cost share of at least 
25 percent would be required for REPAIR grants on adjacent lands.
  In short, Mr. Speaker, the REPAIR Act brings together the public and 
private sectors to ensure the future of our Wildlife Refuge System. 
These are special places unlike any other in the world. They are the 
only Federal land system devoted primarily to the preservation of our 
unique wildlife resources. I know from my countless hours spent taking 
in the grandeur of the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and 
Fish Refuge, admiring the special beauty of Trempealeau NWR, or proudly 
watching the whooping cranes take off from Necedah NWR behind their 
ultralight guide, that these places are an integral part of the 
American experience that deserve special protection.
  I would like to thank my fellow co-chairs of the Congressional 
National Wildlife Refuge Caucus, Jim Saxton, Mike Thompson, and Mike 
Castle for helping promote our Refuge System here in the House, and for 
their support of H.R. 767. I also extend my great thanks to Natural 
Resources Committee Chairman Rahall and Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans 
Subcommittee Chairwoman Bordallo for their support and for helping this 
bill get through the committee process and to the floor today. Finally, 
I thank Dave Jansen and the rest of the committee staff for their 
expertise and tireless work on behalf of our Nation's tremendous 
natural endowment.
  H.R. 767 makes good policy by fostering cooperation between 
government and private entities in pursuit of a common goal in the 
national interest. I urge my colleagues to support its passage today so 
we can begin to protect America's National Wildlife Refuges from 
further attack and degradation. We owe it to future generations of 
hunters, anglers, wildlife enthusiasts, and nature lovers of all types 
to preserve creatures and habitats that are distinctly American.
  Mr. GOHMERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time and 
urge my colleagues to support this bill.
  Ms. BORDALLO. I thank the gentleman from Texas for his very 
supportive words on this particular measure.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

[[Page 27823]]

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from Guam (Ms. Bordallo) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 767, 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.

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