[Senate Report 112-137]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
Calendar No. 303
112th Congress Report
SENATE
2d Session 112-137
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FERAL SWINE ERADICATION AND CONTROL PILOT PROGRAM ACT OF 2011
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January 26, 2012.--Ordered to be printed
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Mrs. Boxer, from the Committee on Environment and Public Works,
submitted the following
R E P O R T
[To accompany S. 893]
[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]
The Committee on Environment and Public Works, to which was
referred a bill (S. 893) to authorize the Secretary of the
Interior to provide financial assistance to the State of
Louisiana for a pilot program to develop measures to eradicate
or control feral swine and to assess and restore wetlands
damaged by feral swine, having considered the same, reports
favorably thereon without amendment and recommends that the
bill do pass.
GENERAL STATEMENT AND BACKGROUND
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, feral
swine are present in at least 39 states and cause extensive
damage to natural habitats, including wetlands, as well as
private property and crops. While digging for food (rooting),
feral swine displace native wildlife and destroy vegetation,
leading to increased erosion and invasive plant infestation.
They compete with native species for food resources and prey on
young livestock and small animals. Feral swine also carry
diseases that affect pets, livestock, wildlife, and humans.
In testimony before the Committee, the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service highlighted the feral swine population in on
Lake Ophelia National Wildlife Refuge in central Louisiana,
which has reached an epidemic level an estimated one swine per
four acres of habitat. Roughly 30 to 50 percent of grain crops
planted on the refuge to support waterfowl populations are
destroyed by feral swine. An aggressive and sustained effort
utilizing multiple techniques is needed to control feral swine
populations on national wildlife refuges and parks in order to
protect native wildlife and their habitats.
The Feral Swine Eradication and Control Pilot Program Act
of 2011 authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to provide
financial assistance to the State of Louisiana to pay up to 75
percent of the cost of carrying out a pilot program to
eradicate feral swine. The bill authorizes such sums as are
necessary for fiscal years 2012 through 2016.
OBJECTIVES OF THE LEGISLATION
To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to provide
financial assistance to the State of Louisiana for a pilot
program to develop measures to eradicate or control feral swine
and to assess and restore wetlands damaged by feral swine.
SECTION-BY-SECTION ANALYSIS
Section 1. Short title
Section 1 provides that this Act may be cited as the Feral
Swine Eradication and Control Pilot Program Act of 2011.'
Section 2. Findings and purpose
Section 2 provides the general purpose of the bill, along
with several findings which: recognize the economic and
environmental importance of Louisiana wetlands; acknowledge the
damaging impacts of increasing nonnative invasive feral swine
populations on Louisiana wetlands; and, determine that the
methodologies under the Coastwide Nutria Control Program
established under the Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection,
and Restoration Act may provide the basis for control and
restoration of wetlands damaged by feral swine.
Section 3. Feral swine eradication and control pilot program
Section 3 outlines the eligible activities for assistance
under the Act, including: study and assess the nature and
extent of wetland damage caused by feral swine; develop methods
to eradicate or control feral swine; and develop methods to
restore damaged wetlands. Section 3 also establishes
coordination and cost share requirements, limits administrative
expenses, and authorizes such sums as are necessary for fiscal
years 2012 through 2016.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY
S. 893 was introduced on May 5, 2011 by Senator Mary
Landrieu (D-LA). The bill was referred to the Committee on
Environment and Public Works. On September 21, 2011, the full
Environment and Public Works Committee met to consider the
bill. The bill was ordered reported favorably without
amendment.
HEARINGS
In the 111th Congress, the Water and Wildlife Subcommittee
of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee held a
legislative hearing on multiple wildlife and invasive species
bills, including the Feral Swine Eradication and Control Act of
2009 (S. 1965).
ROLLCALL VOTES
The Committee on Environment and Public Works met to
consider S. 893 on September 21, 2011. The bill was ordered
favorably reported by voice vote with Senators Inhofe and
Johanns recorded as ``No''.
REGULATORY IMPACT STATEMENT
In compliance with section 11(b) of rule XXVI of the
Standing Rules of the Senate, the committee finds that S. 893
does not create any additional regulatory burdens, nor will it
cause any adverse impact on the personal privacy of
individuals.
MANDATES ASSESSMENT
In compliance with the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995
(Public Law 104-4), the committee noted that the Congressional
Budget Office has found, ``S. 893 contains no intergovernmental
or private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates
Reform Act and would impose no costs on state, local, or tribal
governments.''
CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE COST ESTIMATE
September 29, 2011.
Hon. Barbara Boxer,
Chairman, Committee on Environment and Public Works
U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
Dear Madam Chairman: The Congressional Budget Office has
prepared the enclosed cost estimate for S. 893, the Feral Swine
Eradication and Control Pilot Program Act of 2011.
If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be
pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Jeff LaFave.
Sincerely,
Douglas W. Elmendorf.
Enclosure.
S. 893--Feral Swine Eradication and Control Pilot Program Act of 2011
S. 893 would authorize appropriations over the 2012-2016
period for the Department of the Interior (DOI) to study and
develop methods to control and eradicate feral swine in
Louisiana and to restore wetlands damaged by such animals.
Based on information from DOI and assuming appropriation of the
necessary amounts, CBO estimates that implementing the
legislation would cost $1 million a year over the 2012-2016
period. Enacting S. 893 would not affect direct spending or
revenues; therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures do not apply.
S. 893 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector
mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act and
would impose no costs on state, local, or tribal governments.
Louisiana would benefit from the program authorized in the
bill. Any costs to the state would be incurred voluntarily as a
condition of receiving federal assistance.
The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Jeff LaFave. The
estimate was approved by Theresa Gullo, Deputy Assistant
Director for Budget Analysis.
CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW
Section 12 of rule XXVI of the Standing Rules of the Senate
requires the committee to publish changes in existing law made
by the bill as reported. Passage of this bill will make no
changes to existing law.