{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://grothman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=5101", "Grothman, Pocan Introduce SAFE Pathways Act to Protect Aquatic Fisheries and Local Economies", "2026-03-16", "2026", "2026-03", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Glenn Grothman", "G000576", "grothman.house.gov", "grothman", "https://grothman.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Today, Congressman Glenn Grothman (R-WI) and Congressman Mark Pocan (D-WI) introduced the Safeguarding Aquatic Fisheries and Ecosystem (SAFE) Pathways Act, legislation designed to protect Wisconsin\u2019s rivers and lakes from the spread of invasive species, like Asian Carp.\n\nFishways are a key tool for supporting native fish populations, but when poorly planned, they can inadvertently allow harmful species to move into new waterways, disrupting ecosystems and costing taxpayers billions. The SAFE Pathways Act ensures federal agencies assess these risks and incorporate proven safeguards before constructing new fishways, protecting both our environment and local economies.\n\nThe legislation is supported by the North American Invasive Species Management Association (NAISMA) and the Great Lakes Fishery Commission.\n\n\u201cWisconsin\u2019s rivers and lakes are some of our state\u2019s greatest resources, and we have a responsibility to protect them,\u201d said Rep. Grothman. \u201cFishways are an important tool to help native species thrive, but if they\u2019re poorly designed or located, they can unintentionally create highways for invasive species that devastate our waters, harm wildlife, and cost taxpayers billions in damage and cleanup.\n\n\u201cThe SAFE Pathways Act makes sure federal agencies take a hard look at these risks, plan responsibly, and use proven tools to prevent problems before they start. This is smart, proactive policy that keeps our fisheries healthy, safeguards local economies, and protects our nation\u2019s natural resources for generations to come.\u201d\n\n\u201cInvasive species pose a tremendous threat to the $5.1 billion Great Lakes fishery,\u201d said Dr. Marc Gaden, Executive Secretary of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission. \u201cThis legislation will help stop the spread of these harmful species, many of which have caused billions of dollars of damage to our highly valued lakes and tributaries.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe SAFE Pathways Act is a smart, forward\u2011looking investment in protecting our native fisheries and the communities that depend on them,\u201d said Christie Trifone Millhouse, Executive Director of NAISMA. \u201cBy requiring agencies to assess invasive species risks before new fishways are built, this legislation strengthens ecological resilience, safeguards local economies, and helps prevent the costly impacts of invasive species before they take hold.\u201d\n\nBackground Information\n\nFishways allow native fish to navigate around dams and other barriers, supporting population growth and preserving species. However, improperly planned fishways can create pathways for invasive species, which disrupt aquatic ecosystems through predation, habitat destruction, and competition for resources. In 2021, invasive species caused an estimated $26 billion in lost economic activity across North America.\n\nThe SAFE Pathways Act requires federal agencies to evaluate the risk of invasive species before constructing new fishways and incorporate mitigation strategies like biological controls, physical barriers, and targeted design standards. By addressing these risks early, the legislation helps safeguard Wisconsin\u2019s fisheries, protect local economies, and reduce costly environmental damage before it happens.\n\n-30-", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-06T21:05:58Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://grothman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=5101"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.9098546579480171, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}