Hearings and Testimony

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001

2010

Hearing to examine the Federal response to the discovery of the aquatic invasive species Asian carp in Lake Calumet, Illinois
U.S. Senate Committee on Energy & Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Water Power
Jul 14, 2010
Legislative hearing to examine the Federal response to the discovery of the aquatic invasive species Asian carp in Lake Calumet, Illinois.

Joint Oversight Hearing on "How to Manage Large Constrictor Snakes and Other Invasive Species"
House Committee on Natural Resources, Subcomittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands and Subcomittee on Insular Affiars, Oceans and Wildlife
Mar 23, 2010
The Committee examined the impact of invasive species in fragile ecosystems, such as in Everglades National Park where Burmese pythons have destroyed habitat and threatened native species in spite of widespread efforts to manage the population.

Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals in Drinking Water: Risks to Human Health and the Environment
House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Energy and the Environment
Feb 25, 2010
Legislative hearing to examine the science and regulation of endocrine disruptors that may be found in sources of drinking water. Certain pesticides used to control invasive species have been examined to determine if they disrupt endocrine function and impact human and animal health.

Joint Hearing on the Legislative Approaches to Protecting, Preserving, and Restoring Great Water Bodies
U.S. Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works, and Subcommittee on Water and Wildlife
Feb 24, 2010
Legislative hearing to examine legislative approaches to protecting, preserving, and restoring great water bodies.
For invasive species related issues, see Statement of Senator Carl Levin, Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Water and Wildlife Joint Hearing "Legislative Approaches to Protecting, Preserving and Restoring Great Water Bodies" (Feb 26, 2010)

Asian Carp and the Great Lakes
House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment
Feb 9, 2010
Legislative hearing on the issue of preventing the induction of the aquatic invasive species, the Asian carp, into the Great Lakes. Includes summary of subject matter, hearing video and witness testimonies.

2009

Subcommittee Legislative Hearing - Invasive Related Bills
Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works, Subcommittee on Water and Wildlife
Dec 3, 2009, 2 pm
Legislative hearing to consider the following: - S. 373, A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to include constrictor snakes - S. 1519, Nutria Eradication and Control Act of 2009 - S. 1421, Asian Carp Prevention and Control Act - S. 1965, Feral Swine Eradication and Control Pilot Program Act of 2009 and other bills.

Hearing on "Threats to Native Wildlife Species" / Opening Statement of Senator James M. Inhofe
Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works, Subcommittee on Water and Wildlife and Subcommittee on Oversight
Jul 9, 2009
View archived Webcast and read witness statements

Joint Oversight Hearing On "White-Nose Syndrome: What's Killing Bats In The Northeast?"'
House Natural Resources Committee, Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands, and Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife
Jun 4, 2009

Legislative Hearing On H.R. 669 - Nonnative Wildlife Invasive Prevention Act (see H.R. 669 bill information)
House Natural Resources Committee, Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife
Apr 23, 2009

2008

Testimony of Marshall Meyers Pet Industry Advisory Council Before the Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans House Natural Resources Committee (PDF | 42 KB)
Jun 26, 2008

Oversight Hearing on "The Silent Invasion: Finding Solutions To Minimize The Impacts Of Invasive Quagga Mussels On Water Rates, Water Infrastructure And The Environment"
House Natural Resources Committee, Water and Power Subcommittee
Jun 24, 2008

2007

Hearing to consider the major environmental threats to the Great Basin in the 21st century (Las Vegas, Nevada) (includes threat of cheatgrass)
Senate Committee on Energy & Natural Resources, Public Lands and Forests Subcommittee
Oct 11, 2007

Hearing to Examine the joint performance of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Department of Homeland Security in protecting U.S. agriculture from foreign pests and diseases (scroll down to view witness statements)
House Committee on Agriculture, Horticulture and Organic Agriculture Subcommitte
Oct 3, 2007

Oversight Hearing on Aquatic Nuisance Species and Activities of the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force
House Natural Resources Committee, Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans Subcommittee
Sep 27, 2007

Oversight Hearing on "The Birds and the Bees: How Pollinators Help Maintain Healthy Ecosystems"
House Natural Resources Committee, Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans Subcommittee
Jun 26, 2007

Legislative Hearing on H.R. 767
House Natural Resources Committee, Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans Subcommittee
Jun 21, 2007

Hearing Transcript - Review the Colony Collapse Disorder in Honey Bee Colonies Across the United States - Public Hearing (PDF | 3.41 MB)
House Comimittee on Agriculture, Horticulture and Organic Agriculture Subcommitte
Mar 29, 2007

The Impact of Aquatic Invasive Species on the Great Lakes
House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee
Mar 7, 2007

2006

Great Lakes Regional Collaboration Strategy and how it is serving as a framework for restoring and protecting the Great Lakes
House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee
Sep 13, 2006
Charles Wooley Testimony - The Deputy Regional Director, at the US Fish and Wildlife Service, testified regarding the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration's Aquatic Invasive Species Action Plan. His testimony covered invasive species economic and habitat impacts, including mention of the binational sea lamprey control program, ANSTF recent efforts to control the spread of Asian carp, and interagency contributions to the work of the Midwest Natural Resources Group, a partnership of 13 federal agencies, to develop an action plan for terrestrial invasive species in the basin.

Hearing to Review H.R. 4200, the Forest Emergency Recovery and Research Act
Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, Subcommitee on Forestry, Conservation, and Rural Revitalization
Aug 2, 2006
The resolution contains requirements for the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture to evaluate the recovery and rehabilitation procedures to be taken in the event of a natural disaster such as a fire, flood, or insect or disease outbreak occurring on federal forest land

Hearing on Ballast Water Management and Reduction of Air Pollution From Ship (PDF | 3.2 MB)
House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation
Jul 11, 2006

Oversight Hearing on Addressing Forest Insects and Disease: A Growing Natinal Problem, 'GAO Report on Invasive Forest Pests.'
House Committee on Resources, Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health
Jun 21, 2006

Fiscal Year 2007 Agriculture Appropriations Testimony (PDF | 132 KB) and Supporting Letter to Honorable Henry Bonilla (PDF | 15 KB) - Encourages support to increase funding to address several forest pests and pathogens
Submitted to the House Appropriations Committee, Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, and Related Agencies
By Marvin D. Brown, President, Society of American Foresters
Mar 30, 2006

Full Committee Hearing: Great Lakes Regional Collaboration's Strategy to Restore and Protect the Great Lakes
Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works
Mar 16, 2006

2005

Hearing to Review H.R. 4200, the Forest Emergency Recovery and Research Act (PDF | 2.22 MB)
House Committee on Agriculture
Dec 7, 2005

Review Issues Related to the Prevention, Detection, and Eradication of Avian Influenza (PDF | 136 KB)
House Committee on Agriculture
Nov 16, 2005

Oversight Hearing on the Growing Problem of Invasive Asian Carp in the Great Lakes and Mississippi River System
House Committee on Resources, Subcommittee on Fisheries and Oceans
Nov 3, 2005

Oversight Hearing On Restoration After Recent Hurricanes And Other Natural Disasters: Federal Role In Recovery After Catastrophic Events Affecting Forest Lands
House Committee on Resources, Subcommittee on Forests And Forests Health
Oct 7, 2005

The Federal Role In Restoring Private Forest Land After Hurricane Katrina - Testimony of James L. Cummins, Executive Director of Mississippi Fish and Wildlife Foundation (PDF | 54 KB)

Invasive Species: Progress and Challenges in Preventing Their Introduction into U.S. Water via the Ballast Water in Ships (PDF | 219 KB)
House Committee on Government Reform, Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs
GAO-05-1026T
Sep 9, 2005
Fair Haven, Michigan

Field Hearing - Invasive Species
Senate Committee on Energy & Natural Resources, Subcommittee on National Parks
Aug 9, 2005

Legislative Hearing on H.R. 233, H.R. 1129, HR 2720 (H.R. 2720, The Salt Cedar and Russian Olive Control Demonstration Act) and H.R. 2875
House Committee on Resources, Forests and Forest Health - Witness Opening Statements (includes Dr. Tate's Testimony (PDF | 67 KB)
Jul 14, 2005

National Ocean Policy Study Hearing - Ballast Water Invasive Species Management and Threats to Coral Reefs
Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Jun 15, 2005

Undesirable Aquatic, Riparian, and Invasive Species (PDF | 36 KB)
Jun 14, 2005
Western Govenor's Association, Policy Resolution 5-11
Breckenridge, Colorado

Review of the Federal Crop Insurance System (and Asian Soybean Rust) (PDF | 5.51 MB)
May 4, 2005
House Committee on Agriculture, Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management

The Economic Impact of Asian Soybean Rust on the U.S. Farm Sector (PDF | 2.97 MB)
Apr 27, 2005
House Committee on Agriculture, Joint Hearing of the Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Rural Development, and Research and the Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management

2004

House Committee on Resources, Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife and Oceans
May 13, 2004
Legislative Hearing including the following bill: H.R. 3479, Brown Tree Snake Control and Eradication Act of 2003

House Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks, Recreation and Public Lands
Apr 29, 2004
Legislative Hearing including the following bill: S. 144, to establish a program to provide assistance through States to eligible weed management entities to control or eradicate harmful, nonnative weeds on public and private land.

House Committee on Resources; Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife and Oceans
Apr 15, 2004
East-West Center on the campus of the University of Hawaii
Oversight Field Hearing on the Serious Growing Problem of Invasive Species in the Hawaiian Archipelago

2003

House Committee on Resources, Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife and Oceans
Dec 16, 2003
Joint Committee Hearing Room, Annapolis, Maryland
Field Oversight hearing on Exotic Bird Species and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act

House Committee on Resources, Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife and Oceans
Oct 14, 2003
Joint Committee Hearing Room, Annapolis, Maryland
Oversight Field Hearing on the Efforts to Introduce Non-Native Oyster Species to the Chesapeake Bay and the National Research Council's report titled 'Non-native Oysters in the Chesapeake Bay."

House Committee on Resources, Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health
Jul 24, 2003
Legislative hearing on H.R. 1005, H.R. 1723, H.R. 2707, H.R. 2766
H.R. 2707, to direct the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture, acting through the U.S. Forest Service, to carry out a demonstration program to assess potential water savings through control of Salt Cedar and Russian Olive on forests and public lands administered by the Department of the Interior and the U.S. Forest Service.

Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works (Full committee hearing) | Opening Statements and Witnesses
Jul 17, 2003
SD-406 (Hearing Room)
Hearing to examine the importation of exotic species and the impact on public health and safety.

Vermont Testimony Supporting Jeffords Bill on Invasive Species in Lake Champlain
Jul 17, 2003
Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works, Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Water, Minority Press Release

Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works, Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Water | Opening Statements and Witnesses
Jun 17, 2003
SD-406 (Hearing Room)
S. 525, the National Aquatic Invasive Species Act of 2003, a bill to reauthorize the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act

EPW To Hold Hearing on Importation of Exotic Species: Dangers from Exotic Species to be Topic
Jul 17, 2003
Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works, Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Water, Minority Press Release

House Committee on Resources, Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife and Oceans and Subcommittee on National Parks, Recreation and Public Lands
Apr 29, 2003
Joint Oversight Hearing on the Growing Problem of Invasive Species. See transcript (PDF | 791 KB)

House Committee on Resources, Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife and Oceans
Mar 6, 2003
H.R. 273, to provide for the eradication and control of nutria in Maryland and Louisiana. "Nutria Eradication and Control Act". See transcript (PDF | 116 KB)

2002

House Committee on Resources, Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife and Oceans
Nov 4, 2002
Joint legislative hearing with the Science Subcommittee on Environment, Technology and Standards on:
H.R. 5395, to establish marine and freshwater research, development, and demonstration programs to supports efforts to prevent, control, and eradicative invasive species; and H.R. 5396, to amend the nonindeginous aquatic nuisance prevention and control act of 1990. See Transcript.

House Committee on Agriculture, Subcommittee on Department Operations, Oversight, Nutrition and Forestry Subcommittee Hearing
Oct 2, 2002
Hearing on Invasive Species
Invasive Species' Unchecked Growth Costs Billions: House Agriculture Subcommittee to call federal and scientific organizations (Press Release - Sep 30, 2002)

Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs, Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, Restructuring, and the District of Columbia and the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Sep 24, 2002
Joint Hearing on Responding to the Public Health Threat of West Nile Virus
Top health officials from several agencies (CDC, NIH, FDA) reported to legislators about status of a WNV vaccine and extent of risks to the Nation's blood supply. A nucleic acid blood test may be ready by next summer and a vaccine based on the yellow fever vaccine may be ready in three years.

House Committee on Science, Subcommittee on Environment, Technology, and Standards (hearing information no longer available)
Jun 20, 2002
Hearing on Research Priorities for Aquatic Invasive Species

Report to Congress on the Voluntary National Guidelines for Ballast Water Management (PDF | 2.5 MB)
Jun 3, 2002 (Letters from Norman Mineta)
U.S. Coast Guard, Nov 2001
The U.S. Coast Guard recently released their report to congress, recommending a nation wide mandatory ballast water exchange program. The report outlines the recommended changes in the program and includes a projected timeline for the proposed changes.

House Committee on Resources
Apr 24, 2002
Committee Action - H.R. 4044 (scroll to view), to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to provide assitance to the State of Maryland for implementation of a program to eradicate nutria and restore marshland damaged by nutria; was ordered favorably reported to the House, amended, by Unanimous Consent.

House Committee on Resources, Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife and Oceans (currently Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans & Wildlife)
Apr 17, 2002
Subcommittee Action - H.R. 4044, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to provide assistance to the State of Maryland for implementation of a program to eradicate nutria and restore marshland damaged by nutria; was approved for Full Committee consideration, amended, by Voice Vote.

2001

House Committee on Resources, Subcommittee on National Parks, Recreation and Public Lands
Jun 19, 2001
Legislative Hearing on H.R.1462, to require the Secretary of the Interior to establish a program to provide assistance through States to eligible weed management entities to control or eradicate harmful, nonnative weeds on public and private land. See transcript (PDF | 846 KB).

House Committee on Resources, Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife and Oceans
Apr 19, 2001
Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, Cambridge, Maryland
Oversight Field Hearing on Invasive Species and the Maintenance Backlog at the Refuge. See transcript (PDF | 180 KB)