Bill > HR6053

This bill amends the Great Lakes Fishery Act of 1956 to establish a comprehensive program for combating invasive mussel species in the Great Lakes region. Specifically, the bill authorizes the United States Section of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission to develop and coordinate efforts to address invasive mussels, working alongside federal agencies, interstate compacts, and Tribal, State, and local governments. The Secretary of the Interior (through the Fish and Wildlife Service and Geological Survey) and the Secretary of Commerce (through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) are required to assist in these efforts. The bill provides a significant funding authorization of $500 million for fiscal years 2026 through 2035 to support these activities, with the funds to be made available to the Commission and supplementing existing appropriations. This legislation aims to protect the Great Lakes ecosystem by creating a structured, multi-agency approach to managing and potentially eliminating harmful invasive mussel species that can significantly disrupt local marine environments and ecosystems.