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Harder Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Stop Swamp Rat Invasion

January 30, 2025

Harder successfully funded nutria eradication in 2020, but funds are set to expire

2024 saw the most nutria captures in California in a single year

WASHINGTON – Today, on the heels of the most captures in a single year, Rep. Josh Harder (CA-09) and Rep. David Valadao (CA-22) introduced bipartisan legislation to respond to the exploding infestation of nutria, giant swamp rats that cause massive damage to crops, levees, and the Delta. The Nutria Eradication and Control Reauthorization Act would continue funding efforts to eradicate these invasive rodents.

In 2020, Harder worked with President Trump to bring money to California to fight the nacho cheese toothed swamp rats; however, this funding is set to expire this year. This comes as these 40 pound rodents – which eat 25% of their body weight every day and can reproduce 200 offspring every year – have expanded their territory across the Valley. In 2023, 78% of nutria found were in newly infested areas including the northwestern Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and throughout the San Joaquin River corridor in Fresno County.

“We’re in a war with giant swamp rats, and our farms, levees, and waterways will pay the price if we lose,” said Rep. Harder. “We have to keep our foot on the gas to drive these pests out of the Valley for good. I’ll work with anyone to ensure our farmers, water infrastructure, and Delta are no longer plagued by the swamp rat menace.”

“Nutria are a devastating threat to California’s farmland, levees, and waterways, and in recent years, their population has gotten out-of-control,” said Rep. Valadao. “This invasive species not only destroys crops—they weaken our flood protection and wreak havoc on the San Joaquin Valley’s ecosystem. As these pests continue to spread, it is important the federal government takes decisive action to stop them, and I’m proud to help lead the effort to eliminate these destructive rodents from California for good.”

Last year, more than 1,300 nutria were captured in California, which is the most in a single year, and more than the last two years combined. Funding for these eradication efforts is critical to ensure that the nutria infestation does not continue to spread.

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