Asian Carp Invasion Act.
Mar 8th, 2013 by OutdoorsFIRST
Modified Mar 8th, 2013 at 12:00 AM
On Feb 14, 2013 Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN) and Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA) introduced H.R. 358 Strategic Response to Asian Carp Invasion Act. H.R. 358 is an act “To direct the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, in coordination with the Army Corps of Engineers, the National Park Service, and the United States Geological Survey, to lead a multiagency effort to slow the spread of Asian Carp in the Upper Mississippi and Ohio River basins and tributaries, and for other purposes.”
The bill directs these agencies to use best practices and support State and local government strategies to slow, and eventually eliminate, the threat posed by Asian Carp, including the Bighead, Black, Grass, and Silver Carps. H.R. 358 would create a Federal strategy to address Asian Carp in two of the most nation’s most significant watersheds. Today, there is no federal strategy to slow the spread of Asian Carp in the Upper Mississippi or Ohio River Basins. H.R. 358 places the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the lead of a new multi-agency effort.
The Outdoor Industry Association released a report on Feb 14, 2013 quantifying the economic impact of outdoor recreation in all 50 states, with a separate report for each state. The national report as well as a one page fact sheet for each U.S. state is available on the OIA website at www.outdoorindustry.org/recreationeconomy or call 303-444-3353.
The OIA Minnesota report states outdoor recreation generates:
· $11.6 Billion in Minnesota consumer spending
· 118,000 direct Minnesota jobs
· $3.4 billion in Minnesota wages and salaries
· $815 million in Minnesota state and local tax revenue.
Nationally the outdoor industry generates:
· $646 Billion in consumer spending
· 6.1 million direct American jobs
· $39.9 Billion in federal tax revenue
· $39.7 Billion in state and local tax revenue.
Betty McCollum and Mike Kelly requests the support of NPAA and NPAA members to pass H.R. 358. Please contact your Congressional representatives and provide a voice on this legislation.
Contact information for McCollum and Kelly is:
Congresswoman Betty McCollum – Paula Sunde (5-6631; [email protected])
Congressman Mike Kelly – Brian Kerkhoven (5-5406; [email protected])
For more information on Asian Carp with information on what you can do visit www.stopcarp.org
Barry Chouinard
FM Walleyes Unlimited, Inc
NPAA 996