The environmental and economic havoc caused by the introduction, infestation and dispersal of non-native, invasive species is, unfortunately, something that I am all too familiar with. 

The inadvertent introduction on Guam of the brown tree snake, which arrived from the Solomon Islands following World War II, has had devastating economic, ecological, and public health impacts on Guam.  The snake has caused thousands of power outages, decimated native bird populations, and its mildly venomous bite remains a public health threat to humans, especially children

Regrettably, there are similar examples nationwide of aquatic nuisance species that infest our coastal waters and freshwater rivers, lakes and streams.  Aquatic nuisance species are far from a local or regionally-isolated problem.  The truth is that aquatic nuisance species represent an environmental calamity that is national in scope, and unless we think in these terms, our attempts to gain traction against this threat will be for naught.

It has been 17 years since Congress recognized the problem of aquatic nuisance species and passed the Non-indigenous Aquatic Nuisance Species Prevention and Control Act of 1990 to address the problem.  Recognizing that better coordination was critical, the Act established the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force to develop and implement with the states a national program for the prevention, research, monitoring and control of infestations of non-indigenous aquatic species. 

In light of the interest in the 110^th Congress in reauthorizing the Act, it makes good sense for the Fisheries Subcommittee to convene this afternoon's hearing.  We need to assess the effectiveness of the Task Force, and its progress towards attaining the goals of the Act.  We also need to look at the extent of state cooperation and collaboration, and what obstacles remain to be overcome.         

In addition, we need to determine if a more stringent regulatory regime is needed, especially for screening imports of exotic plants and animals.  I have particular interest in learning how Congress might enhance the Task Force's existing authority to ensure a more effective and efficient process to prevent, control, and eliminate new infestations of aquatic nuisance species.

In closing, I want to thank each witness for their participation, and I look forward to hearing from them on this extremely important matter.