Last week, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer launched a plan to create the first-ever early detection and rapid response (EDRR) grant program to quickly combat aquatic invasive species once they reach new waterways. Such plants and animals as Eurasian milfoil, Asian clam and Hydrilla have already caused serious damage in Upstate New York waterways, and continue to threaten the shipping, fishing and recreation industries in the region if they spread. Specifically, Schumer revealed his new legislation would create a national response framework to allow states and local authorities to petition the Department of the Interior (DOI) for grants as soon as they identify a threat from invasive species, which would mobilize federal, local and state resources to help detect new invasive species early and to respond to and contain them rapidly, through efforts like spreading pesticides in localized areas.