Saratoga, New York – Congresswoman Elise Stefanik reintroduced the bipartisan Stamp Out Invasive Species Act with Rep. Ed Case (D-HI) to help combat and raise awareness of the threat invasive species pose to Upstate New York and North Country ecosystems.
“Upstate New York and the North Country are home to some of the largest and most diverse ecosystems in New York State, including the Adirondacks, multiple lakes and rivers, and thousands of miles of trails, and I am committed to preserving them for future generations,” said Congresswoman Elise Stefanik. “I am proud to lead this effort in Congress to help raise awareness about the threat these invasive species pose to our natural ecosystems and fund research that will help combat these predators.”
"The Stamp out Invasive Species Act will provide much needed funding to combat invasive species which threaten the integrity of our lands and waters,” said Dr. Timothy Mihuc, Professor of Environmental Science at SUNY Plattsburgh. “Many invasive species can have an unforeseen economic impact on our forests and waterways.”
This bill would direct the United States Postal Service to issue a “Combating Invasive Species Semipostal Stamp.” Net proceeds from the sale of this stamp would be directed to the United States Department of Agriculture and the Department of the Interior for programs that combat invasive species.
An estimated 50,000 non-native invasive animal and plant species have been introduced to the United States, costing up to $100 billion annually. Additionally, every state and U.S. territory has at least some form of invasive plant or animal impacting the natural biodiversity of our homes.
Read the full bill text HERE.
Congresswoman Stefanik originally introduced this bill in 2022 and reintroduced it last Congress.
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