invasive plant species
(3) Invasive plant species pilot program (A) Definitions In this paragraph: (i) Eligible entity The term “eligible entity” means a partnership between or among 2 or more entities that— (I) includes— (aa) at least 1 flood control district; and (bb) at least 1 city, county, township, town, borough, parish, village, or other general purpose political subdivision of a State or Indian Tribe (as defined in section 5304 of title 25 ); and (II) may include any other entity (such as a nonprofit organization or institution of higher education), as determined by the Secretary. (ii) Invasive plant species The term “invasive plant species” means a plant that is nonnative to the ecosystem under consideration, the introduction of which causes or is likely to cause economic harm or harm to human health. (B) Pilot program The Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, shall establish a pilot program under which such Secretary shall work with eligible entities to carry out activities— (i) to remove invasive plant species in riparian areas that contribute to drought conditions in— (I) the Lower Colorado River Basin; (II) the Rio Grande River Basin; (III) the Texas Gulf Coast Basin; and (IV) the Arkansas-White-Red Basin; (ii) where appropriate, to replace the invasive plant species described in clause (i) with ecologically suitable native species; and (iii) to maintain and monitor riparian areas in which activities are carried out under clauses (i) and (ii). (C) Report to Congress Not later than 18 months after December 27, 2020 , the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, shall submit to the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report describing the implementation of the pilot program. (D) Termination of authority The authority provided under this paragraph shall terminate on September 30, 2028 .