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“SALT CEDAR AND RUSSIAN OLIVE CONTROL DEMONSTRATION ACT” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Agriculture was published in the House of Representatives section on pages H1936-H1938 on May 2, 2006.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
SALT CEDAR AND RUSSIAN OLIVE CONTROL DEMONSTRATION ACT
Mr. PEARCE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2720) to further the purposes of the Reclamation Projects Authorization and Adjustment Act of 1992 by directing the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Commissioner of Reclamation, to carry out an assessment and demonstration program to control salt cedar and Russian olive, and for other purposes.
The Clerk read as follows:
H.R. 2720
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Salt Cedar and Russian Olive Control Demonstration Act''.
SEC. 2. SALT CEDAR AND RUSSIAN OLIVE CONTROL DEMONSTRATION
PROGRAM.
(a) Establishment.--The Secretary of the Interior (referred to in this Act as the ``Secretary''), acting through the Commissioner of Reclamation and the Director of the United States Geological Survey and in cooperation with the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of Defense, shall carry out a salt cedar (Tamarix spp) and Russian olive
(Elaeagnus angustifolia) assessment and demonstration program--
(1) to assess the extent of the infestation by salt cedar and Russian olive trees in the western United States;
(2) to demonstrate strategic solutions for--
(A) the long-term management of salt cedar and Russian olive trees; and
(B) the reestablishment of native vegetation; and
(3) to assess economic means to dispose of biomass created as a result of removal of salt cedar and Russian olive trees.
(b) Memorandum of Understanding.--As soon as practicable after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary and the Secretary of Agriculture shall enter into a memorandum of understanding providing for the administration of the program established under subsection (a).
(c) Assessment.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date on which funds are made available to carry out this Act, the Secretary shall complete an assessment of the extent of salt cedar and Russian olive infestation on public and private land in the western United States.
(2) Requirements.--In addition to describing the acreage of and severity of infestation by salt cedar and Russian olive trees in the western United States, the assessment shall--
(A) consider existing research on methods to control salt cedar and Russian olive trees;
(B) consider the feasibility of reducing water consumption by salt cedar and Russian olive trees;
(C) consider methods of and challenges associated with the revegetation or restoration of infested land; and
(D) estimate the costs of destruction of salt cedar and Russian olive trees, related biomass removal, and revegetation or restoration and maintenance of the infested land.
(3) Report.--
(A) In general.--The Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate and the Committee on Resources and the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives a report that includes the results of the assessment conducted under paragraph (1).
(B) Contents.--The report submitted under subparagraph (A) shall identify--
(i) long-term management and funding strategies identified under subsection (d) that could be implemented by Federal, State, tribal, and private land managers and owners to address the infestation by salt cedar and Russian olive;
(ii) any deficiencies in the assessment or areas for additional study; and
(iii) any field demonstrations that would be useful in the effort to control salt cedar and Russian olive.
(d) Long-Term Management Strategies.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall identify and document long-term management and funding strategies that--
(A) could be implemented by Federal, State, tribal, and private land managers in addressing infestation by salt cedar and Russian olive trees; and
(B) should be tested as components of demonstration projects under subsection (e).
(2) Grants.--
(A) In general.--The Secretary may provide grants to eligible entities to provide technical experience, support, and recommendations relating to the identification and documentation of long-term management and funding strategies under paragraph (1).
(B) Eligible entities.--Institutions of higher education and nonprofit organizations with an established background and expertise in the public policy issues associated with the control of salt cedar and Russian olive trees shall be eligible for a grant under subparagraph (A).
(C) Minimum amount.--The amount of a grant provided under subparagraph (A) shall be not less than $250,000.
(e) Demonstration Projects.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date on which funds are made available to carry out this Act, the Secretary shall establish a program that selects and funds not less than 5 projects proposed by and implemented in collaboration with Federal agencies, units of State and local government, national laboratories, Indian tribes, institutions of higher education, individuals, organizations, or soil and water conservation districts to demonstrate and evaluate the most effective methods of controlling salt cedar and Russian olive trees.
(2) Project requirements.--The demonstration projects under paragraph (1) shall--
(A) be carried out over a time period and to a scale designed to fully assess long-term management strategies;
(B) implement salt cedar or Russian olive tree control using 1 or more methods for each project in order to assess the full range of control methods, including--
(i) airborne application of herbicides;
(ii) mechanical removal; and
(iii) biocontrol methods, such as the use of goats or insects;
(C) individually or in conjunction with other demonstration projects, assess the effects of and obstacles to combining multiple control methods and determine optimal combinations of control methods;
(D) assess soil conditions resulting from salt cedar and Russian olive tree infestation and means to revitalize soils;
(E) define and implement appropriate final vegetative states and optimal revegetation methods, with preference for self-maintaining vegetative states and native vegetation, and taking into consideration downstream impacts, wildfire potential, and water savings;
(F) identify methods for preventing the regrowth and reintroduction of salt cedar and Russian olive trees;
(G) monitor and document any water savings from the control of salt cedar and Russian olive trees, including impacts to both groundwater and surface water;
(H) assess wildfire activity and management strategies;
(I) assess changes in wildlife habitat;
(J) determine conditions under which removal of biomass is appropriate (including optimal methods for the disposal or use of biomass); and
(K) assess economic and other impacts associated with control methods and the restoration and maintenance of land.
(f) Disposition of Biomass.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date on which funds are made available to carry out this Act, the Secretary, in cooperation with the Secretary of Agriculture, shall complete an analysis of economic means to use or dispose of biomass created as a result of removal of salt cedar and Russian olive trees.
(2) Requirements.--The analysis shall--
(A) determine conditions under which removal of biomass is economically viable;
(B) consider and build upon existing research by the Department of Agriculture and other agencies on beneficial uses of salt cedar and Russian olive tree fiber; and
(C) consider economic development opportunities, including manufacture of wood products using biomass resulting from demonstration projects under subsection (e) as a means of defraying costs of control.
(g) Costs.--
(1) In general.--With respect to projects and activities carried out under this Act--
(A) the assessment under subsection (c) shall be carried out at a cost of not more than $4,000,000;
(B) the identification and documentation of long-term management strategies under subsection (d)(1) and the provision of grants under subsection (d)(2) shall be carried out at a cost of not more than $2,000,000;
(C) each demonstration project under subsection (e) shall be carried out at a Federal cost of not more than $7,000,000
(including costs of planning, design, implementation, maintenance, and monitoring); and
(D) the analysis under subsection (f) shall be carried out at a cost of not more than $3,000,000.
(2) Cost-sharing.--
(A) In general.--The assessment under subsection (c), the identification and documentation of long-term management strategies under subsection (d), a demonstration project or portion of a demonstration project under subsection (e) that is carried out on Federal land, and the analysis under subsection (f) shall be carried out at full Federal expense.
(B) Demonstration projects carried out on non-federal land.--
(i) In general.--The Federal share of the costs of any demonstration project funded under subsection (e) that is not carried out on Federal land shall not exceed 75 percent.
(ii) Form of non-federal share.--The non-Federal share of the costs of a demonstration project that is not carried out on Federal land may be provided in the form of in-kind contributions, including services provided by a State agency or any other public or private partner.
(h) Cooperation.--In carrying out the assessment under subsection (c), the demonstration projects under subsection
(e), and the analysis under subsection (f), the Secretary shall cooperate with and use the expertise of Federal agencies and the other entities specified in subsection
(e)(1) that are actively conducting research on or implementing salt cedar and Russian olive tree control activities.
(i) Independent Review.--The Secretary shall subject to independent review--
(1) the assessment under subsection (c);
(2) the identification and documentation of long-term management strategies under subsection (d);
(3) the demonstration projects under subsection (e); and
(4) the analysis under subsection (f).
(j) Reporting.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall submit to Congress an annual report that describes the results of carrying out this Act, including a synopsis of any independent review under subsection (i) and details of the manner and purposes for which funds are expended.
(2) Public access.--The Secretary shall facilitate public access to all information that results from carrying out this Act.
(k) Authorization of Appropriations.--
(1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act--
(A) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2006; and
(B) $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2007 through 2010.
(2) Administrative costs.--Not more 15 percent of amounts made available under paragraph (1) shall be used to pay the administrative costs of carrying out the program established under subsection (a).
(l) Termination of Authority.--This Act and the authority provided by this Act terminate on the date that is 5 years after the date of the enactment of this Act.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New Mexico (Mr. Pearce) and the gentleman from New Mexico (Mr. Udall) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Mexico (Mr. Pearce).
General Leave
Mr. PEARCE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from New Mexico?
There was no objection.
Mr. PEARCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as may consume.
Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2720 would further the purposes of the Reclamation Projects Authorization and Adjustment Act of 1992 by directing the Secretary of the Interior to carry out assessment and demonstration programs to control salt cedar and Russian olive.
Salt cedar and Russian olive are small, deciduous harmful trees widely distributed along riparian areas in the Western United States, particularly along the Colorado, Rio Grande, Pecos and Gila Rivers. They are known both for their phenomenal reproductive output and their ability to deplete scarce water resources. According to experts, one salt cedar tree can absorb 300 gallons a day. In fact, studies have shown that salt cedar dries up 800 billion gallons more water per year than the native cottonwood tree that it is replacing. Given these facts, most can agree that controlling salt cedar and Russian olive is important for water salvage, riparian restoration, salinity control, wildfire control and habitat restoration.
H.R. 2720 will begin to address these problems by providing sound science and in turn developing and expanding on innovative approaches to control these harmful weeds. I urge adoption of the bill.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may control.
(Mr. UDALL of New Mexico asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, at the outset, let me congratulate my fellow New Mexican, Representative Steve Pearce, for his leadership on this issue. I am also proud to be a cosponsor of his legislation.
H.R. 2720 creates a research program to control two invasive shrubs: the salt cedar and the Russian olive. Introduced in the 19th century, both the salt cedar and the Russian olive flourish in a variety of soil types and tolerate shade well. Unfortunately, these invasive plants have invaded many streams across the West, forcing out native cottonwoods. Because the salt cedar and Russian olive utilize more water than native plants, their presence along streams is disrupting to water flow and water availability. H.R. 2720 will create both research and pilot programs to study effective control and long-term management of these shrubs. I am pleased to be a cosponsor of H.R. 2720.
I would also like to recognize my colleagues Representative Mark Udall, Representative John Salazar and Representative Stephanie Herseth, who are all cosponsors of this important legislation.
Mr. Speaker, we support H.R. 2720.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. PEARCE. I thank the gentleman for his support for the bill and his hard work on the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to a hardworking member of the Agriculture Committee who has been a leader on invasive species issues, the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Salazar).
(Mr. SALAZAR asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. SALAZAR. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank both gentlemen from New Mexico.
I rise today in support of the Salt Cedar and Russian Olive Control Demonstration Act and urge swift passage of the measure. I would like to recognize Representative Pearce and other cosponsors of the bill for their leadership in this desperately needed legislation.
Mr. Speaker, the Southwestern United States is experiencing another severe drought and water is going to be in short supply again, as it has been in the last few years. This legislation will help to address our western water needs.
The salt cedar, or tamarisk plant, consumes large quantities of water, upwards of 200 gallons per day per plant. This is a non-native species that needs to be removed from our Nation's rivers and stream beds. It is estimated that these invasive plants occupy up to 1.6 million acres.
According to the Tamarisk Coalition of the Western United States, we are probably losing between 2 to 4.5 million acre feet of water per year. This would be enough water for 20 million people, or 1 million acres of irrigated farmland.
The tamarisk is a very difficult plant to control, and there are already efforts under way in Colorado and other Western States to control it. This legislation will help these folks by providing the necessary funding to look at better ways to control this species. By passing this bill, it will help Western States deal with drought concerns and continued growth. It benefits all water users in the West.
Just recently, the seven basin States of the Colorado River reached an agreement on how to manage the River. One section that the parties agreed upon was control of this invasive species. This bill will help these States meet their objectives.
Mr. Speaker, this legislation is vital to the West, and I urge my colleagues to support passage of this bill.
Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 2720, the Salt Cedar and Russian Olive Control Demonstration Act.
Riparian lands in the western U.S. have been severely affected by many activities and actions, including the salt cedar plant. In my district and throughout much of the Rio Grande River Basin we are plagued with this invasive species.
This deciduous shrub or small tree from Eurasia has displaced native vegetation on approximately 1.6 million acres of land in the West and will continue to spread. Although salt cedar is the ``poster child'' of non-native plants impacting western rivers, other non-natives, such as Russian olive, cohabit with salt cedar and are important to control in order to restore riparian health.
Salt cedar thickets harm the surrounding environment by narrowing and channelizing streams and rivers; displacing native vegetation such as cottonwoods, willows, and adjacent dryland plant communities; providing poor habitat for livestock, wild animals, and birds; increasing wildfire hazards; and limiting human use of the waterways.
While each of these points is important to one or more constituencies, the single most critical problem is that salt cedar steals water. The West may be losing 2 million to 4.5 million acre-feet of water per year due to the presence of salt cedar, which is beyond what native plants would likely use. The water needs of 20 million people or one million acres of irrigated farmland could be met with that amount of water.
Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2720 would address this problem by requiring the Commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation and the Director of the U.S. Geological Survey, in association with the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of Defense, to create and deploy an assessment and demonstration program for salt cedar and Russian olive.
This program would first assess the extent of the infestation of both species in the western U.S., develop and demonstrate strategic solutions for long-term management and funding strategies of salt cedar and Russian olive and the reestablishment of native vegetation, and assess the economic means to dispose of biomass created as a result of removal of salt cedar and Russian olive trees.
Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2720 is essential to dealing with the salt cedar and Russian olive problem in the West, and I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting this much-needed legislation.
Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, having no further speakers, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. PEARCE. Mr. Speaker, again I express my appreciation to Mr. Udall from New Mexico for his hard work and support of this bill.
Mr. Speaker, I have no additional speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time, requesting all Members to support H.R. 2720.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from New Mexico (Mr. Pearce) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 2720.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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