Walberg Supports Legislation Empowering National Parks Service to Combat Invasive Species

Press Release

WALBERG SUPPORTS LEGISLATION EMPOWERING NATIONAL PARKS SERVICE TO COMBAT INVASIVE SPECIES

U.S. Congressman Tim Walberg (R-MI7) supported the Natural Resource Protection Cooperative Agreement Act (H. R. 658) during votes last night in the House.

"Sadly, our lakes, rivers and the land surrounding our waterways suffer damage every day through untreated sewage, toxic pollutants and aquatic invasive species," Walberg said.
"We in Michigan cherish the beauty of our great two peninsulas and understand that we are stewards of our environment. This legislation gives the National Parks Service the resources it needs to prevent further ecological damage caused by invasive species."

BACKGROUND:

- H.R. 658 allows the Secretary of the Interior to enter into cooperative agreements with local organizations and non-government entities for the purpose of "protecting natural resources of units of the National Park System through collaborative efforts on land inside and outside of National Park System units"

- Currently NPS cannot enter into such agreements

- The bill stipulates specific benefits to park natural resources that cooperative agreements must include:

1. the preservation of watersheds and wetlands
2. preventing, controlling, or eradicating invasive exotic species that are within the National Park System, or
3. the restoration of native wildlife habitats and ecosystems

Source