Ben Cardin

If the Chinese mitten crab is going to be competing with that, it could complicate the survival of the blue crab in Maryland.

The protective grasses are being affected by pollution and global climate change.

We already have a problem with the survival of juvenile crabs, the blue crabs.

That has me greatly concerned.

Well, let me thank both of you, and we look forward to working with you as we try to improve our tools to deal with this problem through our Federal regulators.

But there are certain prohibited items and of course we all know what happens at the borders.

It seems that is a pretty narrow area where you can act.

But you do have, USDA does have certain emergency powers.

I am trying to understand when you consider it urgent to act quickly.

I think Senator Barrasso raises a very valid point about industries in America depending upon diversity in species.

I think Senator Nelson makes a very strong point about the Burmese python, that even if it were added to the list, the damage has been done.

Do we need to look at changing that law? Is there the right balance?

So it is more of a management issue than an eradication issue?

We must change the law, and we must do it quickly.

It's time for the Federal Government to step up and address this ecological crisis.

I encourage this committee to support legislation to implement a strong ballast water management program.

I will introduce legislation to list the bighead carp as injurious under the Lacey Act.

We need to establish a process to screen incoming organisms.

I think each of the members' opening statements points that we have a common challenge around the Nation on dealing with the protection of our native wildlife species.

This serious threat to our health, environment and economy is repeating itself all along the East Coast.

We have got to stop the spread of this disease.

Managing the threat of invasive species continues to be one of the greatest challenges facing U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service refuge managers.

Senator Levin will be adding his perspective on the threats to the Great Lakes.

Senator Nelson is especially interested in addressing specific threats to the unique wildlife and ecosystems of his home State of Florida.

I want to thank my colleague Senator Whitehouse for his assistance in co-chairing this important hearing to examine the threats disease and invasive species pose to the country's native wildlife.