Salt Cedar and Russian Olive Control Demonstration Act

Bill: 109-s-177
Sponsor: Sen. Domenici, Pete V. [R-NM]
Introduced: 2005-01-26 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Agricultural research
Agriculture and Food
Aquatic pests
Aquatic plants
Commerce
Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Cost effectiveness
Droughts
Economic development
Economics and Public Finance
Emergency Management
Environmental Protection
Environmental assessment
Exotic plants
Federal aid to water resources development
Fibers
Finance and Financial Sector
Forestry research
Government Operations and Politics
Government publicity
Governmental investigations
Infrastructure
Laboratories
Lumber trade
Non-native species
Pest control
Refuse and refuse disposal
Research and development facilities
Restoration ecology
Revegetation
Riparian ecology
Science, Technology, Communications
Soil conservation
Trees
Water Resources Development
Water conservation
Water supply
Watersheds
West (U.S.)
Wood

Summary:
action_date: 2005-01-26
text: 
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. 

action_date: 2005-03-07
text: 

(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 documentation of long-term management strategies, demonstration projects, and analysis; and (2) report annually to Congress. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2006 and beyond.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2005-03-07
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 26.
action_date: 2005-03-07
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Domenici without amendment. With written report No. 109-15.
action_date: 2005-03-07
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Domenici without amendment. With written report No. 109-15.
action_date: 2005-02-09
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2005-01-26
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (text of measure as introduced: CR S588-589)
action_date: 2005-01-26
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S588)
action_date: 2005-01-26
text: Introduced in Senate