This bill establishes the National Wildlife Refuge System Invasive Species Strike Team Program within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to eradicate, control, and reduce the adverse effects of invasive species on and adjacent to refuge lands and waters. The program's core purpose is achieved through prevention, biosecurity, early detection, and rapid response to priority invasive species threats. The Secretary of the Interior will carry out this program by establishing at least one invasive species strike team in each FWS region, trained in early detection and rapid response for multiple invasive species taxa. These teams will conduct surveillance, eradication, containment, and active management, utilizing integrated pest management techniques and improving effectiveness through risk assessments and research. They will also collaborate on consistent taxonomy standards and use national and regional standardized reporting platforms. The program emphasizes engaging in extensive partnerships and collaborations with Federal, State, Tribal, and local governments, as well as nongovernmental institutions and private entities. The Secretary is authorized to provide financial and technical assistance, including grants, to adjacent landowners for invasive species management, and can offer strike team expertise to other federal or state agencies upon request. The bill mandates coordination of management actions with adjacent landowners and state agencies. Comprehensive reports to Congress and the public are required two and five years after enactment, detailing the program's work and progress. To fund these efforts, $15,000,000 is authorized to be appropriated annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2030.
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Timeline
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E631)
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E631)
Public Lands and Natural Resources
National Wildlife Refuge System Invasive Species Strike Team Act of 2025
USA119th CongressHR-4219| House
| Updated: 6/27/2025
This bill establishes the National Wildlife Refuge System Invasive Species Strike Team Program within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to eradicate, control, and reduce the adverse effects of invasive species on and adjacent to refuge lands and waters. The program's core purpose is achieved through prevention, biosecurity, early detection, and rapid response to priority invasive species threats. The Secretary of the Interior will carry out this program by establishing at least one invasive species strike team in each FWS region, trained in early detection and rapid response for multiple invasive species taxa. These teams will conduct surveillance, eradication, containment, and active management, utilizing integrated pest management techniques and improving effectiveness through risk assessments and research. They will also collaborate on consistent taxonomy standards and use national and regional standardized reporting platforms. The program emphasizes engaging in extensive partnerships and collaborations with Federal, State, Tribal, and local governments, as well as nongovernmental institutions and private entities. The Secretary is authorized to provide financial and technical assistance, including grants, to adjacent landowners for invasive species management, and can offer strike team expertise to other federal or state agencies upon request. The bill mandates coordination of management actions with adjacent landowners and state agencies. Comprehensive reports to Congress and the public are required two and five years after enactment, detailing the program's work and progress. To fund these efforts, $15,000,000 is authorized to be appropriated annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2030.