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Invasive Species Research Act Approved by House Science Committee
The House Science Committee approved the Aquatic Invasive Species Research Act of 2003 (H.R. 1081) on June 4, 2003. The legislation would authorize a total of $214.5 million over the next five years for research, development, and demonstration programs to prevent, control and eradicate aquatic invasive species, as well as to educate citizens and stakeholders and restore ecosystems (Table 1).
The bill would authorize over $75 million for extramural research grants to academic institutions and other organizations over the course of FY 2004-2008. The competitive, peer-reviewed grant programs would be administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), United States Geological Survey (USGS), National Science Foundation (NSF), and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
According to Rep. Vernon Ehlers (R-MI), the bill's sponsor and Chairman of the House Science Subcommittee on Environment, Technology and Standards, invasive species cost the economy billions of dollars annually and are second only to habitat loss as threats to endangered species.
"Spending millions of dollars to prevent species introductions will save billions of dollars in control, eradication and restoration efforts once the species become established," noted Rep. Ehlers. "Prevention requires careful, concerted management, but it also requires good research."
The Aquatic Invasive Species Research Act of 2003 has strong bipartisan support in the House of Representatives. The bill is co-sponsored by 85 members of Congress, including Reps. Nick Smith (R-MI) and Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX), Chairman and Ranking Minority Member of the House Science Subcommittee on Research, as well as Reps. Wayne Gilchrest (R-MD) and Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Chairman and Ranking Minority Member of the House Resources Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife and Oceans.
Prior to its consideration by the full House of Representatives, the Aquatic Invasive Species Research Act of 2003 must be approved by three additional House committees that have jurisdiction over certain provisions. Science Committee Chairman Sherwood Boehlert (R-NY) stated, "We will work closely with the other Committees of jurisdiction that have an interest in this matter, and with the Senate, and I am hopeful that this bill can move either separately, or as part of larger invasive species legislation, during this Congress."
This legislation is part of a bicameral, comprehensive package of legislation to tackle aquatic invasive species. In addition to H.R. 1081, Reps. Ehlers and Gilchrest (R-MD) have introduced the National Aquatic Invasive Species Act of 2003 (H.R. 1080), which deals with broader management issues. Senators Levin (D-MI), and Collins (R-ME), have introduced companion legislation in the Senate, the National Aquatic Invasive Species Act of 2003 (S. 525), which is similar to the pair of House bills. The full text of the bills is available online at http://thomas.loc.gov/.
Table 1. Aquatic Invasive Species Research Act of 2003 (H.R. 1081)
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| (budget authority in millions of dollars)
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| Agency
| Authorized Funding Level ($ millions)
|
| FY 2004
| FY 2005
| FY 2006
| FY 2007
| FY 2008
| Total
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|
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|
| U.S. Geological Survey1
| 11.0
| 11.0
| 11.0
| 11.0
| 11.0
| 55.0
| NOAA1
| 10.5
| 10.5
| 10.5
| 10.5
| 10.5
| 52.5
| Smithsonian Institution
| 4.0
| 4.0
| 4.0
| 4.0
| 4.0
| 20.0
| Environmental Protection Agency
| 4.0
| 4.0
| 4.0
| 4.0
| 4.0
| 20.0
| National Science Foundation
| 2.5
| 2.5
| 2.5
| 2.5
| 2.5
| 12.5
| U.S. Coast Guard
| 2.5
| 2.0
| 2.0
| 1.5
| 1.5
| 9.5
| Army Corps of Engineers
| 1.0
| 1.0
| 1.0
| 1.0
| 1.0
| 5.0
| Invasive Species Council
| 0.5
| 0.5
| 0.5
| 0.5
| 0.5
| 2.5
| Ballast Water Program2
| 7.5
| 7.5
| 7.5
| 7.5
| 7.5
| 37.5
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| ____
| ____
| ____
| ____
| ____
| ____
| Total
| 43.5
| 43.0
| 43.0
| 42.5
| 42.5
| 214.5
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| Source: NCSE analysis of H.R. 1081 as amended by House Science Committee on June 4, 2003.
| 1Includes $6.5 million per year for competitive grants to academic institutions and other groups.
| 2H.R. 1081 would increase annual funding from $2.5 million to $7.5 million for the Ballast Water
| Management Prevention Program in Section 1301(e) of the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance
| Prevention and Control Act of 1990 (16 U.S.C. 4741(e)). These funds are administered by the
| Secretaries of the Interior and Commerce
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