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Announcing the Invasive Species Caucus

July 10, 2013
Newsletters
Dear Friends,

I am pleased to announce that today I founded the bipartisan Congressional Invasive Species Caucus with my Republican colleague from Michigan, Rep. Dan Benishek. The Caucus will serve to raise awareness about invasive species issues, support local communities who are bearing the brunt of this problem, and promote efforts to prevent and control the spread of invasive species. The Caucus will provide opportunities for Members of Congress to meet with other policy makers, organizations and industry leaders that are working to prevent the spread of invasive species.

Invasive species pose a costly challenge to infrastructure, agriculture and the environment. By bringing together experts and industry leaders, we can come up with plans to protect our communities from invasive species before they become a major problem.

Invasive species threaten communities by devastating native habitat, damaging crops, clogging water pipes, infecting plants and animals with dangerous diseases, and outcompeting native species. These impacts can lower crop yields, pose health hazards, irreparably damage natural environments, and take a severe toll on local, state, and federal budgets.

I recently co-authored bipartisan legislation, H.R. 1823, the Protecting Lakes Against Quagga Act, that would add quagga mussels to the national invasive species list. This listing gives federal agencies greater ability to prevent the spread of the invasive species.

In our 5th Congressional district, Clear Lake, Lake Sonoma, and Lake Berryessa are all rated at the highest possible risk for quagga invasion. Currently none of these lakes have been invaded by quagga mussels. However, if quaggas invade one of these lakes, control and treatment would cost hundreds of thousands of dollars per year and impact the water supply for residents in Sonoma, Lake, and Solano Counties. If quagga mussels invade the state water infrastructure it could cost millions every year to keep the pipes clear.

The Congressional Invasive Species Caucus will work to develop plans to combat the spread of invasive species like the quaggas.

Sincerely,


MIKE THOMPSON
Member of Congress