I 
115TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 6961 
To direct the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out a grant program to 
award grants to qualified partnerships to remove non-native plant species 
that contribute to drought conditions, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
SEPTEMBER 27, 2018 
Ms. SINEMA (for herself, Mr. GOSAR, and Mr. GRIJALVA) introduced the 
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture 
A BILL 
To direct the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out a grant 
program to award grants to qualified partnerships to 
remove non-native plant species that contribute to 
drought conditions, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Drought Relief 
through Innovative Projects Act’’ or the ‘‘DRIP Act’’. 
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SEC. 2. NON-NATIVE PLANT SPECIES REMOVAL GRANT 
PROGRAM AUTHORIZED. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall establish a 
grant program to award grants, on a competitive basis, 
to qualified partnerships to— 
(1) remove non-native plant species that con-
tribute to drought conditions; and 
(2) replace such non-native plant species with 
native plant species. 
(b) APPLICATION.—To be eligible to receive a grant 
under this section, a qualified partnership shall submit an 
application to the Secretary, at such time, in such manner, 
and containing such information as the Secretary may re-
quire, including— 
(1) a plan for how the qualified partnership will 
use the grant funds to carry out the activities de-
scribed in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (a); 
(2) how the qualified partnership consulted with 
local stakeholders, including conservation groups, to 
establish the plan described under paragraph (1); 
and 
(3) information demonstrating that the native 
plant species replaced pursuant to such grant will— 
(A) reduce flood risk, improve hydrology 
and water storage capacities, or reduce fire haz-
ard; and 
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(B) protect and restore rivers and streams 
and associated riparian habitats, including fish 
and wildlife resources that are dependent on 
such habitats. 
(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) NON-NATIVE
PLANT
SPECIES.—The term 
‘‘non-native plant species’’ means a plant species 
that— 
(A) is non-native (or alien) to an eco-
system; and 
(B) when introduced to such ecosystem 
causes, or is likely to cause, economic harm, en-
vironmental harm, or harm to human health. 
(2) 
QUALIFIED
PARTNERSHIP.—The 
term 
‘‘qualified partnership’’ means a partnership be-
tween the following: 
(A) At least 1 flood control district. 
(B) At least 1 city, county, township, town, 
borough, parish, village, or other general pur-
pose political subdivision of a State. 
(3) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 
the Secretary of Agriculture. 
(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is 
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section 
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