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Bill Passed to Research Invasive Species10-27-06 | News

Bill Passed to Research Invasive Species




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Salt cedar is one of the invasive species that has taken over a significant portion of the western riparian areas.


The U.S. Senate last week gave final approval to legislation developed by New Mexico Sens. Pete Domenici and Jeff Bingaman and Rep. Steve Pearce to establish a federal program to find the best means of eradicating salt cedar and Russian olive vegetation ?EUR??,,????'??+ nonnative plant species that have overtaken most western riparian areas.

The Senate Friday gave final approval to the Salt Cedar and Russian Olive Control Demonstration Act (HR 2720). The bill, passed by the House May 2 and by unanimous consent in the Senate, will be forwarded to the White House for President Bush?EUR??,,????'???s consideration.

HR 2720, like a companion Senate bill introduced by Domenici (S 177), directs the Bureau of Reclamation to work with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to undertake at least five salt cedar and Russian olive assessments. The bill authorizes $20 million for fiscal year 2006 and $15 million annually from 2007 to 2010 to provide grants to eligible entities to identify the best ways to eradicate these nonnative species.

?EUR??,,????'??This bill will help in our efforts to eradicate salt cedar by both funding projects to remove the invasive species and supporting research to more effectively combat its growth. This is one of the many tools we need to protect our state?EUR??,,????'???s water resources, minimize fire risk, and improve habitat,?EUR??,,????'?? said Bingaman, who was an original cosponsor of the Senate salt cedar bill.

Source: Small Town Papers News Service

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