TESTIMONY OF DAN ASHE, DEPUTY DIRECTOR, U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, BEFORE THE SENATE ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS SUBCOMMITTEE ON WATER AND WILDLIFE ON H.R. 2188, THE JOINT VENTURES BIRD HABITAT CONSERVATION ACT OF 2009; H.R. 3433, TO AMEND THE NORTH AMERICAN WETLANDS CONSERVATION ACT; H.R. 3537, THE JUNIOR DUCK STAMP CONSERVATION AND DESIGN PROGRAM REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2009; S. 1214, THE NATIONAL FISH HABITAT CONSERVATION ACT; S. 1421, THE ASIAN CARP PREVENTION AND CONTROL ACT; S. 373, TO AMEND TITLE 18, U.S. CODE, TO INCLUDE CONSTRICTOR SNAKES OF THE SPECIES PYTHON GENERA AS AN INJURIOUS ANIMAL; S. 1519, THE NUTRIA ERADICATION AND CONTROL ACT OF 2009; S. 1965, THE FERAL SWINE ERADICATION AND CONTROL PILOT PROGRAM ACT OF 2009; AND H.R. 509, THE MARINE TURTLE CONSERVATION REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2009




S. 373, A BILL TO AMEND TITLE 18, U.S. CODE, TO INCLUDE CONSTRICTOR SNAKES OF THE SPECIES PYTHON GENERA AS AN INJURIOUS ANIMAL
S. 373 would amend Title 18 Section 42, U.S. Code, to include constrictor snakes of the Python genus as an injurious animal. The Department appreciates Senator Nelson bringing attention to this important conservation issue. While the Department generally prefers the administrative process to run its course, we support S. 373, and recommend amending the legislation, in light of a USGS risk assessment published in October, to include the nine species of large constrictor snakes that were evaluated by the risk assessment. The nine species that were assessed include the Burmese python, northern African python, southern African python, reticulated python, green anaconda, yellow anaconda, Beni or Bolivian anaconda, DeSchauensee’s anaconda, and boa constrictor.
The threat posed by the Burmese python and other large constrictor snakes is evident. Thousands of Burmese pythons are now breeding in the Everglades, and threaten many imperiled species and other wildlife. In addition other species of large snakes are or may be breeding in the Everglades including the Boa Constrictors and Northern African Pythons. Given the value of the Everglades, its biological diversity and the threat of invasive species, the Department is committed to addressing this threat and restoring the ecosystem.
In June 2006, the Service received a request from the South Florida Water Management District to list Burmese pythons as an injurious species under the Lacey Act. At the time the petition was submitted, no scientific information had been compiled on Burmese pythons that would enable a rigorous assessment of risk and potential impacts to the Everglades and other ecosystems. As a result, in 2007 the Service partnered with the National Park Service to jointly provide funds to USGS towards completion of a risk assessment of nine non-native boa, anaconda, and python species considered invasive or potentially invasive in the United States. USGS finalized the risk assessment on October 13, 2009. The assessment considered what effects these species could have on the ecology of the United States if they became established in the wild.
Of the nine large constrictor snakes that were assessed, five were shown to pose a high risk to the health of the ecosystem, including the Burmese python, northern African python, southern African python, yellow anaconda, and boa constrictor. The remaining four large constrictors—the reticulated python, green anaconda, Beni or Bolivian anaconda, and Deschauensee’s anaconda—were shown to pose a medium risk. None of the large constrictors that were assessed was classified as low risk. As compared to many other vertebrates, giant constrictors pose a relatively high risk as potential invasive species, especially in terms of risk to stability of native ecosystems.
While a few of the very largest species have been known to attack humans in their native range, such attacks appear to be rare. Most of these species are difficult to detect in the field,
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complicating efforts to identify the range of populations or deplete populations through visual searching and removal of individuals. While the Department of the Interior, U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), and the State of Florida entities have conducted limited research on control tools, there are currently no such tools available that would appear adequate for eradication of an established population of giant snakes once they have spread over a large area.
In addition to the recent USGS risk assessment the Service published a Notice of Inquiry in the Federal Register on January 31, 2008, to solicit biological, economic, or other data related to the potential of adding large constrictor snakes to the list of injurious wildlife. During the public comment period, which closed on April 30, 2008, the Service received 1,528 responses.
The Service is using the information provided by the public and the USGS risk assessment in our ongoing evaluation of adding large constrictor snakes under the Lacey Act. The Service is now completing an economic analysis of a potential Lacey Act rulemaking, which is a requirement under the Regulatory Flexibility Act and Executive Orders 12866 and 13272. In addition, we are drafting documentation required under NEPA. The Service expects to complete our internal review and determine the appropriate Lacey Act role by early 2010. Should a Proposed Rule be issued, the publication would be followed by a public comment period and a final decision most likely within one year thereafter. Given the importance of this issue, the Service is working diligently to thoroughly and expeditiously complete the required reviews.
S. 373 includes the entire Python genus and the Service notes that some of the species in the genus are not considered large constrictors and may not pose a threat. The nine large constrictor snakes evaluated in the recently finalized USGS risk assessment will be the focus of the Service’s internal assessment under the Lacey Act, and we recommend the legislation be amended to include the nine species of large constrictor snakes that USGS evaluated in its risk assessment.
entire testimony of Dan Ashe


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Cindy Steinle
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