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Nature Conservancy Applauds House Commitment to Preserve National ParksNatural Resource Protection Cooperative Agreement Act Passes in the HouseARLINGTON, VA — March 20, 2007— Yesterday, the House of Representatives voted to pass H.R. 658, the Natural Resource Protection Cooperative Agreement Act, by an overwhelming margin of 390-10. The Nature Conservancy applauds this legislation, spearheaded by Congressman Jon Porter (R-NV). The measure additionally received the strong support of Natural Resources Committee for National Parks and Forests, Public Lands Subcommittee Chairman Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), and Ranking Member Robert Bishop (R-UT). If passed, this bill would authorize the Secretary of the Interior to enter into cooperative agreements to protect natural resources within the National Park System. This would allow the National Park Service to work in collaboration with a broader range of partners, both inside and outside the boundaries of park units, to protect important lands – especially from invasive species. For example, the Park service could more efficiently collaborate with partners to control or eradicate invasive species before they cause harm within a National Park. “I am proud that Congress has been responsive to the National Parks Service and their challenge to protect our public lands, and waterways, from invasive species,” Congressman Porter said in a statement released yesterday evening. “This legislation is a positive first step to provide the tools the Parks Service needs to prevent excessive ecological and environmental damage to Nevada’s lakes, rivers and open land.” Invasive species, when introduced into a non-native ecosystem, can cause harm to the environment and have devastating effects on the economy and human health. Each year, invasive species such as the zebra mussel and purple loosestrife cost the United States upwards of $120 billion in control and response costs. If passed, this bill would strengthen conservation projects around the country by authorizing the Park Service to work with neighboring landowners and partners to proactively address invasive species that threaten the wildlife, diversity, and visitors’ enjoyment of National Parks. “Invasive species know no boundaries and adversely affect federal, state and privately owned lands,” said Dr. John Randall, Director of The Nature Conservancy’s Global Invasive Species Initiative. “The Natural Resource Protection Cooperative Agreement Act will, if enacted, maximize the investment of limited federal resources by allowing Park Service to collaborate with other partners in managing shared invasive species threats” he added. Several Nature Conservancy projects would be affected by the passage of this bill, as dozens of Conservancy projects are being carried out on lands adjacent to National Park Service properties. Under the proposed authority granted by this legislation, the Park Service can participate in cooperative projects with the Conservancy and other partners, strengthening efforts to combat invasive species and protect important conservation lands. In the Senate, companion bill S. 241, sponsored by Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Senator Daniel Akaka (D-HI), is being taken up by the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, and is expected to pass the Senate without controversy within the next few weeks. Click here to learn more about how the Conservancy is working to combat invasive species. The Nature Conservancy is the leading conservation organization working to protect the most ecologically important lands and waters around the world for nature and people. To date, the Conservancy and its more than one million members have been responsible for the protection of more than 15 million acres in the United States and have helped preserve more than 102 million acres in Latin America, the Caribbean, Asia and the Pacific. Visit The Nature Conservancy on the Web at www.nature.org. |
