Bill Summary
The "Golden Mussel Eradication and Control Act of 2025" seeks to amend the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990 by establishing a demonstration program specifically aimed at managing the golden mussel, an invasive species.
The bill mandates the creation of a comprehensive program that includes prevention, monitoring, control, eradication, education, and research partnerships involving various stakeholders such as state and local entities, port authorities, and educational institutions. Key components of the program include:
1. **Research**: Investigating the biology and ecological impact of the golden mussel, and assessing control methods.
2. **Monitoring**: Developing tracking systems for potential infestations and establishing early warning protocols.
3. **Control and Eradication Plans**: Creating strategies for managing infestations in specific areas, with a focus on vulnerable infrastructures.
4. **Technical Assistance**: Providing support to implement the strategies developed.
Additionally, the bill establishes a grant program to fund projects that further research effective technologies for controlling and removing golden mussels. The program will also facilitate coordination among federal, state, and local agencies to ensure a unified response to the golden mussel threat.
The legislation authorizes $15 million annually for five years (2026-2030) to support these initiatives. Overall, the act aims to prevent the spread of the golden mussel and mitigate its ecological and economic impacts.
Possible Impacts
Here are three examples of how the "Golden Mussel Eradication and Control Act of 2025" could affect people:
1. **Economic Impact on Fisheries and Water Industries**: The demonstration program aims to research the effects of the golden mussel on fisheries and water quality. If the mussel is found to significantly harm fish populations or degrade water quality, local fishermen and water-related businesses could face economic challenges. This might lead to decreased fish catches, increased costs for water treatment, or even job losses in sectors dependent on healthy waterways.
2. **Public Health and Safety**: The establishment of watercraft inspection stations as part of the control and eradication guidelines could lead to increased public awareness and education about the golden mussel and its ecological impact. This proactive approach may help prevent the spread of invasive species, thereby protecting local ecosystems and ensuring safe recreational activities on waterways, fostering a healthier environment for the community.
3. **Grant Opportunities for Research and Local Entities**: The grant program established under this act provides financial support to state and local entities, institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations for projects aimed at controlling the golden mussel. This could lead to increased research initiatives, job creation in scientific and technical fields, and community engagement in conservation efforts. It may also foster partnerships between local governments and research institutions, enhancing community capacity to address invasive species issues.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3717 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 3717
To amend the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act
of 1990 to establish a demonstration program with respect to the golden
mussel.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
June 4, 2025
Mr. Harder of California (for himself, Mr. Garamendi, Ms. Matsui, Mr.
Thompson of California, Mr. DeSaulnier, and Mr. Gray) introduced the
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation
and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Natural
Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker,
in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the
jurisdiction of the committee concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act
of 1990 to establish a demonstration program with respect to the golden
mussel.
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 ``Golden Mussel Eradication and
Control Act of 2025''.
SEC. 2. GOLDEN MUSSEL DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM.
Section 1202 of the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and
Control Act of 1990 (16 U.S.C. 4722) is amended--
(1) by redesignating subsections (j) and (k) as subsections
(k) and (l), respectively; and
(2) by inserting after subsection (i) the following:
``(j) Golden Mussel Demonstration Program.--
``(1) Demonstration program.--
``(A) In general.--The Task Force, in partnership
with State and local entities, port authorities,
industry partners, institutions of higher education,
and local nonprofit organizations, shall develop a
demonstration program of prevention, monitoring,
control, eradication, education, and research with
respect to the golden mussel, including--
``(i) research and development regarding--
``(I) the biology;
``(II) the environmental
tolerances;
``(III) the effect on--
``(aa) fisheries;
``(bb) water quality; and
``(cc) other ecosystem
components; and
``(IV) the efficacy of control
mechanisms and technologies;
``(ii) tracking dispersal and establishment
of an early warning system to alert likely
areas of future infestations;
``(iii) development of control and
eradication methods and plans, including--
``(I) in and around--
``(aa) derelict vessels;
``(bb) public
infrastructure;
``(cc) fish screens; and
``(dd) waterways; and
``(II) hull inspections; and
``(iv) provision of technical assistance to
regional, State and local entities to carry out
this subsection, as applicable.
``(B) Implementation area.--The demonstration
program shall be implemented in the Sacramento-San
Joaquin Delta and any other waters of the United States
the Task Force determines are infested, or likely to
become infested, by the golden mussel.
``(C) Availability of certain information.--The
Task Force shall collect and make available to State
and local entities and port authorities, through direct
reports, publications, and other means necessary,
information relating to control and eradication methods
and plans developed under the demonstration program.
``(D) Control and eradication guidelines.--Not
later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of
this subsection, the Task Force shall develop
guidelines to control the spread of and eradicate the
golden mussel, including through the establishment of
watercraft inspection stations.
``(2) Response and containment research grant program.--
``(A) In general.--The Task Force shall establish a
grant program to award amounts, on a competitive basis,
to State and local entities, institutions of higher
education, nonprofit organizations, and industry
partners to carry out projects that--
``(i) identify effective technologies and
mechanisms to control and remove golden mussels
from--
``(I) water intakes;
``(II) conveyance infrastructure;
``(III) fish screens;
``(IV) derelict vessels;
``(V) boat hulls;
``(VI) waterways; or
``(VII) other areas where the
golden mussel may be found; or
``(ii) provide an understanding of the
biology of the golden mussel and effective
containment science with respect to the golden
mussel.
``(B) Technology transfer.--In carrying out the
grant program, the Task Force may enter into an
agreement with a State or local entity, port authority,
industry partner, or any other appropriate entity for
the use or sale of any new technology developed under
the grant program to expedite the control and
eradication of golden mussels.
``(3) Coordination.--
``(A) In general.--The demonstration program shall
provide guidance to other Federal agencies, States,
port authorities for all United States ports of entry,
local government agencies, and regional and other
entities with the necessary expertise to participate in
control and eradication methods and plans developed
pursuant to the demonstration program.
``(B) Delegation.--The Task Force may delegate
responsibility for implementing all or a portion of a
control or eradication method or plan developed
pursuant to the demonstration program to an entity
described in subparagraph (A) if the Task Force
determines--
``(i) such entity has sufficient authority
or jurisdiction and expertise; and
``(ii) it will be more efficient or
effective to delegate such responsibility than
to retain such responsibility.
``(4) Authorization of appropriations.--There are
authorized to be appropriated to the Task Force to carry out
this section $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through
2030.
``(5) Definitions.--In this subsection:
``(A) Demonstration program.--The term
`demonstration program' means the demonstration program
developed under paragraph (1)(A).
``(B) Grant program.--The term `grant program'
means the grant program established under paragraph
(2)(A).
``(C) Institution of higher education.--The term
`institution of higher education' has the meaning given
the term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act
of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)).''.
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