RATON, New Mexico (STPNS) -- 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 ? 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?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.

 ?Drought conditions have certainly kindled interest in finding more successful ways to rid ourselves of salt cedar and other nonnative species that ultimately damage our river systems and sap available water supplies. Parts of the Rio Grande and Pecos River are inundated with salt cedar, resulting in reduced stream flow and increased salinity,? Domenici said. ?I will work to fund this program through the appropriations process, and I fully expect at least one of the demonstration projects to be carried out in New Mexico.?

Scientists from New Mexico State University?s Range Improvement Task Force (RITF) and Extension Animal Resources Department early this year began using their expertise to help residents of northeast New Mexico in the fight against salt cedar.

The invasive plants crowd out native trees like willows and cottonwoods, make soil salty, and lower the water table. One of the areas of concern is along the Canadian River, which stretches from the high country near Raton through five New Mexico counties to the Texas Panhandle.

The Canadian River Riparian Restoration Project (CRRRP) has addressed the problem in this region by chemically treating more salt cedar-infested land along the Canadian River in Colfax County.

?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?s water resources, minimize fire risk, and improve habitat,? said Bingaman, who was an original cosponsor of the Senate salt cedar bill.