Big dollars from Washington D.C. could help turn back the spread of tamarisk and Russian olive in the West. House Resolution 2720, or the Salt Cedar and Russian Olive Control Demonstration Act, would allocate $80 million to dealing with the noxious trees. The bill is currently awaiting approval in the U.S. Senate.

The act, which is co-sponsored by U.S. Rep. John

Salazar, would assess the extent of both species’ infestation in the Western U.S. and develop and demonstrate strategic solutions for long-term management. Then, the act would establish funding strategies for tamarisk and Russian olive removal and the reestablishment of native vegetation.

H.R. 2720 would authorize $80 million over the next five years and would set aside $4 million for assessment,

$2 million in grants, $7 million for demonstration, and $3 million for analysis.

Tim Carlson, executive director of the Tamarisk Coalition, has hopes for the bill. “It would be a good start,” he said. “A unique feature of the bill is the identification of future funding sources. It may take decades to solve this problem.”

– Will Sands