PRESCOTT, AZ –Today, U.S. Congressman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-04) released the following statement after joining U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) and Representative Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ) in contacting Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Jo-Ellen Darcy and asking for support from the United States Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) for removing and replacing invasive salt cedar along the Gila River:
PRESCOTT, AZ –Today, U.S. Congressman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-04) released the following statement after joining U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) and Representative Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ) in contacting Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Jo-Ellen Darcy and asking for support from the United States Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) for removing and replacing invasive salt cedar along the Gila River:
“Historic drought and significant water demands continue to plague Western communities and Arizona. Unfortunately, invasive salt cedar only exacerbate these challenges as these nonnative plants can consume up to 200 gallons of water per day per plant. The 18-mile stretch along the Gila River is one of our greatest challenges. I expect the Corps to take action and assist with this problem by responding favorably to our request and the proposal submitted by local stakeholders.”
Background:
The bicameral and bipartisan letter from Representative Gosar (R-AZ), U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) and Representative Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ) to Assistant Secretary of the Army Jo-Ellen Darcy can be found HERE.
The draft technical report for the El Rio Vegetation Management plan can be found HERE.
Salt cedar, an invasive species, continues to harm and occupy hundreds of thousands of acres throughout the country. Invasive salt cedar comprise nearly 60% of the vegetation within the 18-mile stretch of the Gila River. Salt cedar have other negative implications as well which include limiting recreational opportunities, degrading wildlife habitat and negatively impacting flood as well as wildfire mitigation efforts. Removing these invasive plants along this stretch would save an estimated 50,000 acre-feet of water every year.
On March 15, 2016, Rep. Gosar spearheaded a bipartisan programmatic appropriation’s request to establish a pilot program for combating salt cedar that ensures coordination with local stakeholders and tribes. The current federal system is largely a hodgepodge of different grant programs, regulations and laws administered by multiple agencies that aren’t effectively coordinating with each other. Click HERE to read more.
On March 2, 2016, Rep. Gosar met with Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) Colonel Kirk Gibbs, Commander of the Los Angeles District, to discuss ways to combat salt cedar along the Gila Giver and other Arizona priorities. Click HERE to read more.
In December of 2015, Rep. Gosar made Jamie Reaser, Department of Interior Executive Director of the National Invasive Species Council, aware of the need along the Gila and asked her to report back on potential programs for mitigating salt cedar when she appeared before the Oversight and Government Reform Committee.
On July 21, 2015, Rep. Gosar and Arizona’s two U.S. Senators contacted every relevant federal agency inquiring about what potential federal programs exist for salt cedar removal along the 18-mile stretch of the Gila River.
In May 2014, Rep. Gosar held an invasive species roundtable so local stakeholders could discuss various options for combating salt cedar.
In February 2014, Rep. Gosar first contacted Secretary Darcy making her aware of the need to mitigate salt cedar along the Gila River and encouraging her to develop a project in consultation with local shareholders to control the spread of salt cedar.
