Steve Pearce: “Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2707, the Salt Cedar and Russian Olive Control Demonstration Act, provides for the Secretaries of the…”

“Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2707, the Salt Cedar and Russian Olive Control Demonstration Act, provides for the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture to carry out a demonstration program assessing potential water savings through control of Salt Cedar and Russian Olive on forests and public lands administered by the Department of the Interior and the U.S. Forest Service. Salt Cedar and Russian Olive are both invasive species that adversely impact the water supply, increases soil salinity, lowers the potential water that the soil can hold, and increases fire frequency. Last summer in Albuquerque, New Mexico, several hundred acres along the Rio Grande River burned, forcing about 600 people to be evacuated from their homes. This fire burned many native cottonwood and willow trees. However, one of the culprits being blamed for the escalation of the fire is the large amount of underbrush that had collected, which was mostly Salt Cedar. Without this buildup of Salt Cedar, the fire probably would not have burned as extensively or with the intensity that it did. Regardless of what side of the aisle one is on, most can agree that controlling Salt Cedar and Russian Olive is important for water salvage, riparian restoration, salinity control, habitat restoration, and wildlife management.”