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

I must tell you, I have been pleased this year to see EPA and DOD working together on clean up issues in my own State, both at Fort Meade and Fort Detrick, where we have made significant progress.

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

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

I think about our efforts on the Chesapeake Bay, which has been regional.

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

Well, what worries me is that, if you are correct, that this all of a sudden you see a huge increase

We have got to stop the spread of this disease.

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

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

I think we could do a better job.

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

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

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.

Today we are having a joint subcommittee hearing of the Environment and Public Works Committee of the Water and Wildlife and Oversight Committees.

In my own State of Maryland, we have dealt with the nutria.

We are working on the Chesapeake Bay reauthorization, looking for more effective ways to enforce the goals that are established by the local governments.

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.

There is a disease, white-nose syndrome, which is causing us to lose a lot of our bat colonies.

It is my intention to keep the hearing in session.

Thirteen thousand nutria have been removed. That is quite an impressive effort.

I want to thank my colleague and friend, Senator Whitehouse, for arranging for this joint hearing.

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

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.