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Rep. Boebert Takes Action to Remove Invasive Salt Cedar and Russian Olives

April 4, 2022

Congresswoman Lauren Boebert is taking action to combat invasive salt cedar and Russian olive trees plaguing the Third District.

Congresswoman Boebert said, “Russian olive and salt cedars are invasive species, and they hurt our environment, waste precious water resources, and cause big game to leave their habitats. In addition to my letter of support of Montezuma County’s grant application, I am also submitting an appropriations request to secure federal support for noxious weed reduction efforts designed to combat drought in Colorado. The federal government brought the Russian olive and salt cedars to Western states, and now it is needed to help save our ecosystems.”

Background:

Congresswoman Boebert is aggressively working to remove invasive salt cedar and Russian olive trees that are guzzling water in Colorado and the West.

Rep. Boebert recently hosted a meeting with approximately 30 environmental, hydrology, and noxious weeds experts from southwest Colorado. They discussed effective strategies to manage water resources, restore native habitats, and preserve Colorado’s unique ecology.

Rep. Boebert sent a letter of support for the Montezuma County Noxious Weed Department’s grant application to remove non-native Russian olive and salt cedars from 600 acres of land in the San Juan Watershed while replanting native species in their rightful habitat.

Both the Russian olive and salt cedar were introduced in the 1900s by the federal government to act as windbreaks and to prevent erosion on streambanks. However, now these plants are known to be invasive and harmful to their ecosystems. These phreatophytes waste water. The roots of the Russian olive tunnel as deep as 40 feet into the ground, enabling it to steal water from all surrounding vegetation. Furthermore, phreatophytes consume vast amounts of water, with the salt cedar consuming about 200 gallons of water per day per plant. With the massive amounts of water they consume, salt cedars increase the risk and severity of wildfires in the riparian ecosystems they inhabit.

The presence of these phreatophytes has caused a reduction in several animals’ habitats. Many big game species such as deer and elk have started to seek new environments due to the decrease in forage production. Additionally, phreatophytes have decreased the range of suitable habitats for Bald Eagles.

In 2006, Congress enacted the Salt Cedar and Russian Olive Control Demonstration Act to address the need for removing harmful phreatophytes. However, more action is needed to effectively manage these invasive species.

When the House Committee on Appropriations opens applications for appropriations requests, Rep. Boebert will advocate for resources to combat salt cedar and Russian olive trees as well as encourage coordination amongst the various federal agencies.