Two bills designed to keep invasive species out of Oregon opened to positive reviews during a public hearing today at the state capitol.
One of the bills, H.B. 2220, creates border check stations where boats and trailers will be inspected for invaders such as quagga and zebra mussels. The other, House Bill 2020, creates an emergency spending fund to deal with invasive species outbreaks.
According to Tom Wolf of Trout Unlimited, the bills were supported by all the witnesses at the hearing before the House Agriculture, Natural Resources and Rural Communities Committee.
Evan Manvel with the Oregon League of Conservation Voters writes on their blog that lawmakers discussed ways to raise the money for the emergency fund, including fees for non-motorized boats such as canoes and kayaks.
The committee took no action, but is waiting for amendments to be written. No new sessions have been scheduled.
