Environmentalists praise Gillibrand’s bill to stop invasive species

[hrmjustin]

U.S. Sen. Kirsten E. Gillibrand, D-N.Y., announced Friday a bill environmentalists are praising as “a major step forward” in curbing the introduction of invasive, non-native species in the United States.

“The Invasive Fish and Wildlife Prevention Act of 2013” would allow the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to perform more risk assessments and act more quickly to prevent the spread of invasive species.

In a released statement, Great Lakes United and National Environmental Coalition on Invasive Species applauded the efforts of Sen. Gillibrand and Rep. Louise M. Slaughter, D-Fairport, who introduced a similar bill earlier this year.

“Sen. Gillibrand and Rep. Slaughter have created a critical opportunity for Congress to close the loophole that has allowed harmful invasive species to alter U.S. ecosystems and push out native species,” said Bentley Johnson, legislative representative for the National Wildlife Federation, in the statement.

http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/article/20130608/NEWS03/706089897

[Cooley Hurd]

1. As someone who has scraped many a zebra mussel off of my boat in NYS...

[longship]

2. This Michigander applauds, too.

In Michigan we take the health of the Great Lakes seriously. Well, some of us do.

[Rhiannon12866]

3. K&R for my former congresswoman!!!

She just keeps making us proud!

[hrmjustin]

4. Wow, 5 fives! Cool number of posts.

Yes I love her as well.

[Rhiannon12866]

5. OMG! Thanks! I didn't even notice!

I can remember when I never thought I'd make it to 100!

[hrmjustin]

6. Yea I remember I thought I would never make it to 1,000 and now I am at 10,000.

[Rhiannon12866]

7. Congratulations!

I certainly remember those milestones. We used to post special threads when we reached them. But it's not that I'm all that chatty, LOL. I made most of them when I was a mod, then a host, and now on MIRT. I suggest you give MIRT a try, think you'd be really good at it..

[hrmjustin]

8. When do they take names? I have been thinking about it.

Does it take up a lot of your time? Also I welcome new people everyday so I don't know if I will still be able to do that if I join Mirt. I am thinking about it.

[Rhiannon12866]

9. The current term will be over in July, around the 24th, I think

I've served two terms, so won't be eligible this time around. It does take some time, but it's also very interesting, gives you a whole new perspective on DU. It's on a first come basis, so be sure to sign up if you're interested. Also, only half the team is replaced, so there's always several veterans around to show you the ropes. And when you're on MIRT, you get to see new members as they sign up, so you can welcome them or not, depending if they're here for the right reasons...

Skinner or EarlG post the sign up thread in Announcements...

[hrmjustin]

10. Thanks I will look for it.

I will be away from DU next week and I hope I don't miss it.

[Rhiannon12866]

11. It won't be posted until the latter part of July, so you'll have plenty of time