ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Phoenix, Arizona
Appropriates $185,000 from
the state general fund in FY 2001-2002 to the State Land Department for
distribution to the Gila Valley Natural Resources Conservation District (NRCD)
for eradication of the sweet resin bush on state trust land in southeastern
Arizona.
Background
Currently, state and federal
lands in the Frye Mesa area near Thatcher, Arizona are experiencing an
infestation of a nonindigenous weed called the sweet resin bush (euryops
subcarnosus). The plant was brought
into Arizona in the 1930s and planted in a number of test areas with the hope
that it would contribute to erosion control and provide forage for
livestock. Since then some of the
populations have expanded into the native plant population. This infestation has the potential for
significantly reducing the production value of the grazing and agricultural
land use in the area because the sweet resin bush eliminates other vegetation
in the area, exposing bare soil and actually increasing soil erosion.
The Gila Valley NRCD is
currently working on a plan to eradicate the plant. While it is anticipated that the federal government will address
the situation on federally-owned lands, the eradication treatment on state
trust lands will involve a minimum five-year herbicide procedure costing
approximately $185,000. This figure is
based on cost estimates from herbicide trials conducted on Frye Mesa by
researchers from the University of Arizona.
S.B. 1194 appropriates
$185,000 from the state general fund in FY 2001-2002 to address the eradication
of the sweet resin bush on state trust land.
Provisions
1. Appropriates $185,000 from the state general fund in FY 2001-2002 to the State Land Department for distribution to the Gila Valley NRCD for eradication of the sweet resin bush on state trust land in southeastern Arizona and exempts the appropriation from lapsing.
2. Provides for a general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Staff
January 23, 2001