REFERENCE TITLE: urging eradication; salt cedars; waterways

State of Arizona

House of Representatives

Fifty-sixth Legislature

First Regular Session

2023

HCM 2006

Introduced by

Representative Griffin

A Concurrent Memorial

urging the United States Congress to appropriate monies and federal entities to develop solutions to eradicate salt cedars in Arizona waterways.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

To the Congress of the United States of America, the Secretary of the United States Department of the Interior and the Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture:

Your memorialist respectfully represents:

Whereas, the salt cedar tree, also known as the tamarisk, was brought to the United States in the 1800s as an ornamental plant to stabilize soil and control erosion; and

Whereas, salt cedars are now listed as an invasive species by the United States Department of Agriculture; and

Whereas, salt cedars spread prolifically by both seed and sprouting, congesting thousands of acres of river land in Arizona; and

Whereas, the density of salt cedars creates dangerous conditions by congesting flood-prone areas, impeding water flow and exacerbating the impact of flooding; and

Whereas, by increasing the frequency and intensity of wildfires, salt cedars threaten existing and future infrastructure in surrounding communities; and

Whereas, this invasive plant out-competes native cottonwood, mesquite and willow and displaces riparian and other wildlife habitats by altering the ecology and hydrology of native systems; and

Whereas, each salt cedar tree consumes 200 to 300 gallons of water a day, which lowers the water table and creates large deposits of salt in the soil; and

Whereas, salt cedars negatively impact Arizona's economy by jeopardizing agriculture due to high water usage, tending to obstruct irrigation canals and limiting recreational opportunities; and

Whereas, eliminating salt cedars will sustain precious water supplies, reduce the risk of environmental disasters and minimize structural and ecological damage and loss of life.

Wherefore your memorialist, the House of Representatives of the State of Arizona, the Senate concurring, prays:

1. That the United States Congress appropriate monies to the State of Arizona to eradicate salt cedars from Arizona waterways.

2. That the United States Department of the Interior and the United States Department of Agriculture develop innovative solutions to control the proliferation of salt cedars.

3. That the Secretary of State of the State of Arizona transmit copies of this Memorial to the President of the United States, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the Secretary of the United States Department of the Interior, the Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture and each Member of Congress from the State of Arizona.