Nutria Eradication and Control Reauthorization Act of 2025

This bill would reauthorize the Nutria Eradication and Control Act of 2003, extending the federal government's authority to manage invasive nutria populations. Nutria are large, semi-aquatic rodents that cause significant damage to wetlands, crops, and ecosystems through their feeding habits and burrowing behavior. The bill extends the authorization deadline from 2025 to 2030, allowing continued federal and state efforts to control these invasive species.

Under the reauthorized program, the Department of the Interior would continue providing financial assistance to states for eradicating or controlling nutria populations and restoring marshland damaged by these animals. Control strategies may include trapping, habitat modification, and public education about nutria impacts. This would help protect agricultural lands, water management infrastructure, and natural ecosystems from the erosion and vegetation loss caused by nutria.

The bill passed the House with strong bipartisan support in February 2025 and is now under review by the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. If enacted, it would ensure that federal agencies maintain the legal authority and funding mechanisms to address nutria problems in coastal and wetland regions across the country.