[Senate Report 111-183]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
Calendar No. 368
111th Congress Report
SENATE
2d Session 111-183
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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
_______
May 5, 2010.--Ordered to be printed
_______
Mrs. Boxer, from the Committee on Environment and Public Works,
submitted the following
R E P O R T
[To accompany S. 1965]
[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]
The Committee on Environment and Public Works, to which was
referred a bill (S. 1965) 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
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.
The feral swine population in on Lake Ophelia National
Wildlife Refuge in central Louisiana is at an epidemic level
with 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 2009 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 annual
appropriations of $1,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2011
through 2013.
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
2009.''
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 $1,000,000 for each of fiscal years
2011 through 2013.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY
S. 1965 was introduced on October 28, 2009 by Senator Mary
Landrieu (D-LA) with one cosponsor. The bill was referred to
the Committee on Environment and Public Works. On December 10,
2009, the full Environment and Public Works Committee met to
consider the bill. The bill was ordered reported favorably
without amendment.
HEARINGS
On December 3, 2009, 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 S. 1965.
ROLLCALL VOTES
The Committee on Environment and Public Works met to
consider S. 1965 on December 10, 2009. The bill was ordered
favorably reported by voice vote.
REGULATORY IMPACT STATEMENT
In compliance with section 11(b) of rule XXVI of the
Standing Rules of the Senate, the committee finds that H.R.
3433 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. 1965 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
December 15, 2009.
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. 1965, the Feral
Swine Eradication and Control Pilot Program Act of 2009.
If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be
pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Daniel
Hoople.
Sincerely,
Douglas W. Elmendorf.
Enclosure.
S. 1965--Feral Swine Eradication and Control Pilot Program Act of 2009
S. 1965 would authorize the appropriation of $1 million in
each of fiscal years 2011 through 2013 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. The federal government would pay 75
percent of the costs related to a pilot study, the development
of methods to eradicate or control feral swine, and the
restoration of damaged wetlands in the state. Assuming
appropriation of the specified amounts, CBO estimates that
financial assistance to the state of Louisiana under the bill
would cost $3 million over the 2011-2014 period. Enacting this
legislation would not affect direct spending or revenues.
S. 1965 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 Daniel Hoople.
This 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.