Statements on Introduced Bills and Joint Resolutions S536

STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS

By Mr. DEWINE (for himself, Mr. LEVIN, Ms. COLLINS, Mr. REED, Mr. VOINOVICH, and Ms. STABENOW):
S. 536. A bill to establish the National Invasive Species Council, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, today I am pleased to join with Senators LEVIN, COLLINS, REED, VOINOVICH, and STABENOW, to introduce the National Invasive Species Council Act—a bill to permanently establish the National Invasive Species Council. The National Invasive Species Council was established by an Executive order so that the Federal Government can better coordinate to combat the economic, ecologic, and health threat of invasive species.

Invasive species are a national threat. Estimates of the annual economic damages caused by invasive species in this Nation are as high as $137 billion. To combat the serious threats posed by invasive species, we need Federal coordination and planning. Our bill would provide just that—on a permanent basis. Under this legislation, the Secretaries of State, Commerce, Transportation, Agriculture, Health & Human Services, Interior, Defense, and Treasury, along with the Administrators of EPA and USAID, would continue to work together through the Council to develop a National Invasive Species Management Plan.

Though the Council can continue to operate and develop invasive species management plans as they currently do, the GAO reported last year that implementing the national invasive species management plan is difficult because the Council does not have a congressional mandate to act. GAO also reported that most of the agencies that have responsibilities under the National Invasive Species Management Plan have been slow to complete activities by the due date established under the plan and the agencies do not always act in a coordinated manner. As my colleagues who are cosponsoring this bill know, invasive species are too great of a problem to be left unmanaged.

The duties of the Council are generally to coordinate Federal activities in an effective, complementary, cost-efficient manner; update the National Invasive Species Management Plan; ensure that Federal agencies implement the management plan; and develop recommendations for international cooperation. Agencies that do not implement the recommendations of the National Invasive Species Management Plan must report to Congress as to why the recommendations were not implemented. The Council is directed to develop guidance for Federal agencies on prevention, control, and eradication of invasive species so that Federal programs and actions do not increase the risk of invasion or spread nonindigenous species. And finally, the bill also establishes an Invasive Species Advisory Committee to the Council.

Ultimately, with a congressional mandate, the Council can enhance its effectiveness and better protect our environment from invasive species. I urge my colleagues to cosponsor this measure so that the Federal Government can improve its response to invasive species threat.