§8506 Role of Brown Tree Snake Technical Working Group

Summary

Create a Technical Working Group to make sure federal, state, territorial, and local actions about the brown tree snake are coordinated, useful, and cost-effective. The group must review programs and policies that might spread the snake and recommend ways to lower that risk. It must also recommend, monitor, and work toward reducing or eradicating the snake in Guam and other U.S. areas where it is found. The group will update the 1996 Brown Tree Snake Control Plan. If money is available, the group must write a report for Congress within one year after October 30, 2004. The report must describe progress on large-scale reductions or eradication, the interdiction and prevention work needed for Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Hawaii, American Samoa, and the Freely Associated States, related research, and government programs that are funded or planned. The report must list priorities (high, medium, low) for control, interdiction, research, and eradication, and assess funding shortfalls and regulatory limits. The group must meet at least once a year, include adequate representation from Guam, and the Secretaries should give it resources and staff when possible. Up to $450,000 may be appropriated to each Secretary for each fiscal year 2006 through 2010.