Today, Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-Miramar) and Congressman Timothy V. Johnson (R-IL), Co-Chairmen of the Congressional Pollinator Protection Caucus, introduced the Highways Bettering the Economy and Environment Act of 2011 (Highways BEE Act). This zero-cost, bi-partisan legislation will help create much-needed habitat for the birds, bats, bees, and butterflies that pollinate our food. (Please find attached a copy of the bill).
"There are nearly 17 million acres of land along our highways where new management practices can reduce maintenance costs for cash-strapped states and at the same time create habitat for pollinators," said Hastings. "The millions of acres of agriculture and wildlife ecosystems adjacent to these roadways will benefit from the integrated vegetation management practices advanced in this legislation."
The Highways BEE Act directs the Secretary of Transportation to use existing authorities, programs, and funding to encourage State Departments of Transportations (DOTs) and other transportation right-of-ways managers to adopt integrated vegetation management (IVM) practices. These techniques include planting native grasses and forbs and significantly reducing the frequency of mowing. States DOTs that have already adopted IVM practices report significantly reduced maintenance costs. At the same time they are reducing their own costs, States adopting IVM practices are providing a habitat for pollinators, ground-nesting birds, and other small wildlife in need of healthy forage and nesting areas.
"Pollinator population decline is a problem of national significance," Hastings further noted. "One out of every three bites of food that we eat is derived from pollinators. We must work together to address these problems before it is too late. If we don't come up with real solutions soon, we won't have any bees left. Without bees, we won't have any food. It's just that simple."
Joining Hastings and Johnson as original co-sponsors are Reps. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Leonard Boswell (D-IA).
Congressman Alcee L. Hastings serves as Senior Member of the House Rules Committee, Ranking Democratic Member of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, and Democratic Chairman of the Florida Delegation.
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Highways_BEE_Act.pdf
