Salt Cedar and Russian Olive Control Demonstration Act
Key claim: The Senate bill would have Interior, working with Agriculture and Defense, map salt cedar and Russian olive infestations in the western United States, fund at least five demonstration projects to control the trees and restore native plants, and study how to use or dispose of the leftover biomass.
Abstract
(S177 · 109th Congress) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.) Salt Cedar and Russian Olive Control Demonstration Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior (the Secretary), acting through the Commissioner of Reclamation and in cooperation with the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of Defense, to carry out a salt cedar (Tamarix spp) and Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) assessment and demonstration program to: (1) assess the extent of the infestation by salt cedar and Russian olive trees in the western United States; (2) demonstrate strategic solutions for the long-term management of such trees and the reestablishment of native vegetation; and (3) assess economic means to dispose of biomass created as a result of removal of those trees. Requires the Secretary to: (1) complete an assessment of the extent of the infestation on public and private land; (2) identify and document long-term management and funding strategies that could be implemented by Federal, State, and private land managers in addressing the infestation and that should be tested as components of specified demonstration projects; and (3) establish a program that selects and funds at least five projects proposed by and implemented in collaboration with Federal agencies, State and local governments, 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. Directs the Secretary, in cooperation with the Secretary of Agriculture, to 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. Sets forth requirements regarding cost limitations and cost-sharing. Requires the Secretary to: (1) subject to independent review the assessment, identification and documentat Latest action (2005-03-07): Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 26.
Why this matters
Salt cedar (tamarisk) and Russian olive crowd out native riparian vegetation and consume large volumes of water in arid western watersheds, affecting ranchers, irrigators, and downstream users. A demonstration-and-mapping approach signals a preference for federally coordinated pilots and biomass-utilization research over a single large eradication mandate, which shapes how much removal work reaches farmers and grazing districts on the ground.