Bill Summary
This legislation, known as the "Suppressing Looming Invasive Threats Harming Everglades Restoration Act" or the "SLITHER Act," aims to amend the Water Resources Development Act of 1996. It requires the South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Task Force to develop a priority list for reducing, mitigating, and controlling invasive species within the South Florida ecosystem. This list must reflect an assessment of the ecological risk posed by these species and will be used to guide cooperative and collaborative efforts among agencies and entities to address the issue. The Task Force will also use existing funds to develop strategies and tools for managing and eradicating invasive species, as well as preventing future introductions. This legislation highlights the importance of addressing invasive species in order to protect the structure and function of the South Florida ecosystem and monitor progress of Everglades restoration efforts.
Possible Impacts
1. The SLITHER Act could affect people living in the South Florida ecosystem by requiring the development of a priority list for invasive species. This could result in increased efforts to control and manage invasive species, potentially impacting the livelihoods of those who rely on these species for food or other resources.
2. The Act could also affect scientists and researchers by requiring them to focus on developing innovative strategies and tools for managing invasive species in the South Florida ecosystem. This could lead to new job opportunities or changes in research priorities for those in the field of invasive species management.
3. The legislation could also impact taxpayers by requiring the use of existing funds for activities such as applied research, management, and eradication of invasive species. This could result in increased taxes or reallocation of funds from other government programs.
[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 3603 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
116th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 3603
To amend the Water Resources Development Act of 1996 to require the
South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Task Force to develop a priority
list for reducing, mitigating, and controlling invasive species within
the South Florida ecosystem, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
May 5, 2020
Mr. Rubio (for himself and Mr. Scott of Florida) introduced the
following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on
Environment and Public Works
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Water Resources Development Act of 1996 to require the
South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Task Force to develop a priority
list for reducing, mitigating, and controlling invasive species within
the South Florida ecosystem, and for other purposes.
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 ``Suppressing Looming Invasive Threats
Harming Everglades Restoration Act'' or the ``SLITHER Act''.
SEC. 2. INVASIVE SPECIES RISK ASSESSMENT, PRIORITIZATION, AND
MANAGEMENT.
Section 528(f)(2) of the Water Resources Development Act of 1996
(110 Stat. 3771) is amended--
(1) by redesignating subparagraphs (I) and (J) as
subparagraphs (J) and (K), respectively;
(2) by inserting after subparagraph (H) the following:
``(I) shall, using existing amounts appropriated to
the Task Force, develop and update, as appropriate, a
priority list of invasive species that--
``(i) reflects an assessment of ecological
risk that the listed invasive species represent
populations of invasive plants and animals
that--
``(I) are significantly impacting
the structure and function of
ecological communities, native species,
or habitat within the South Florida
ecosystem; or
``(II) demonstrate a strong
potential to reduce, obscure, or
otherwise alter key indicators used to
measure Everglades restoration
progress; and
``(ii) shall be used by the Task Force and
agencies and entities represented on the Task
Force to focus cooperative and collaborative
efforts--
``(I) to guide applied research;
``(II) to develop innovative
strategies and tools to facilitate
improved management, control, or
eradication of listed invasive species;
``(III) to implement specific
management, control, or eradication
activities at the appropriate
periodicity and intensity necessary to
reduce or neutralize the impacts of
listed invasive species, to include the
use of qualified skilled volunteers
when appropriate; and
``(IV) to develop innovative
strategies and tools to prevent future
introductions of nonnative species;'';
(3) in subparagraph (J) (as so redesignated), by striking
``ecosystem'' and inserting ``ecosystem, including the
activities described in subparagraph (I)''; and
(4) in clause (i) of subparagraph (K) (as so redesignated),
by inserting ``, including the priority list under subparagraph
(I) and the activities described in that subparagraph'' after
``Task Force''.
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