National Aquatic Invasive Species Act of 2005

Bill: 109-s-770
Sponsor: Sen. Levin, Carl [D-MI]
Introduced: 2005-04-13 in the Senate
Policy area: Water Resources Development
Subjects: Administrative procedure
Animals
Aquatic animals
Aquatic ecology
Aquatic plants
Armed Forces and National Security
Biological diversity
Boundaries
Business records
Canada
Canals
Commerce
Congress
Department of Transportation
Ecological research
Ecological surveys
Economics and Public Finance
Ecosystem management
Environmental Protection
Exotic animals
Exotic plants
Federal aid to research
Federal aid to water pollution control
Fines (Penalties)
Foreign Trade and International Finance
Government Operations and Politics
Government paperwork
Great Lakes
Habitat conservation
Illinois
Import restrictions
Inland water transportation
International Affairs
International agencies
International environmental cooperation
Labor and Employment
Lakes
Latin America
Law
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Marine fouling organisms
Marine safety
Marine transportation
Merchant seamen
Mexico
Non-native species
Pest control
Pests
Revolving funds
Rivers
Science, Technology, Communications
Ships
Transportation and Public Works
Treaties
Warships
Waterways
Weeds
Wildlife conservation

Summary:
action_date: 2005-04-13
text: 
National Aquatic Invasive Species Act of 2005 - Amends the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990 to establish aquatic invasive species reduction and prevention requirements for vessels (including towed vessels and structures) operating in U.S. waters. Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) to promulgate ballast water management regulations and certification procedures. 
 
Directs the Aquatic Invasive Species Task Force to establish a priority pathway management program that identifies those pathways that pose the highest risk for the introduction of aquatic invasive species. 
Prohibits the importation of a live aquatic organism of a species not in trade without specified screening and approval. 
Requires the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to implement a national system of ecological surveys for rapid early detection and monitoring of invasive species. 
Establishes the Emergency Rapid Response Fund to assist States in implementing rapid response measures for aquatic invasive species. Requires the Task Force to review and approve State rapid response contingency strategies. 
Requires the Invasive Species Council to establish a Federal rapid response team for each of the ten Federal regions. 
Requires the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works) to upgrade and make permanent the existing Chicago sanitary and ship canal dispersal barrier in Chicago, Illinois, constructed as a demonstration project to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species in U.S. waterways. Directs the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to construct, at full Federal expense, the Chicago sanitary and ship canal dispersal barrier authorized by the Water Resources Development Act of 1986. 
 
Requires NOAA, the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, and the U.S. Geological Survey (Administering Agencies) to develop and conduct a marine and freshwater research program to assess rates of, patterns of, and conditions surrounding introductions of nonindigenous aquatic species in aquatic ecosystems and efforts to prevent the introduction of, and detect and eradicate, such species. 
Requires the EPA Administrator to develop an environmentally sound, cost-effective technology development, demonstration and verification grant program. 
Requires the Secretary and the EPA to develop a vessel pathway standards research program. 
Requires the National Science Foundation to establish a grant program for researchers at institutions of higher education and museums to carry out research in systematics and taxonomy. 
Requires the Invasive Species Council to coordinate with the Task Force to combat aquatic invasive species. Requires the Task Force to recommend to appropriate Federal agencies additions to the list of aquatic invasive species. 
Requires the Task Force, the Council, and the Secretary of State to ensure that international efforts to prevent and manage aquatic invasive species are coordinated with U.S. policies.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2005-04-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2005-04-13
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3558-3559)
action_date: 2005-04-13
text: Introduced in Senate