[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 50 (Tuesday, May 2, 2006)]
[House]
[Pages H1936-H1938]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
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.--
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(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;
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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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