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Monday February 3, 2025

Lodi News

Rep. Josh Harder (D-Tracy) and Rep. David Valadao (R-Hanford) introduced bipartisan legislation Thursday to respond to the exploding infestation of nutria, giant swamp rats that cause massive damage to crops, levees, and the San Joaquin Delta.

The Nutria Eradication and Control Reauthorization Act would continue funding efforts to eradicate these invasive rodents.

“We’re in a war with giant swamp rats, and our farms, levees, and waterways will pay the price if we lose,” Harder said. “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.”

In 2020, Harder worked with President Donald Trump to bring money to California to fight the 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.

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