Auburn Pub - Gillibrand Unveils Plan to Fight Invasive Species

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U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., was in the Finger Lakes region Thursday to release her plan to fight the spread of invasive species in New York.

Gillibrand's agenda to address invasive species includes legislation that would add the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to a task force on algal blooms and hypoxia. The coalition will be tasked with formulating an action strategy for controlling and monitoring algal blooms and hypoxia.

Gillibrand also called on the Army Corps of Engineers to wrap up its interim report by October on how to prevent Asian carp from invading the Great Lakes.

According to a news release, it would take 20 years for Asian carp to get from the Great Lakes to other lakes.

The plan unveiled by Gillibrand also includes new legislation aimed at preventing future invasive species from entering the country.

Gillibrand's Fish and Wildlife Prevention Act would require a study to look at if any non-native animals could become invasive species before the animals could be imported or enter into interstate commerce.

"From the Great Lakes to the Finger Lakes, and from the lakes and streams of the Adirondacks to the Hudson River, and every waterway in between, New York State is blessed with beautiful bodies of water," Gillibrand said. "These vast natural resources help drive our economy, offer miles of recreation, attract tourists, and provide clean drinking water for millions of families. If we're going to protect these resources today and for future generations, we need to prevent the spread of invasive species."

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