ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Phoenix, Arizona
Appropriates $378,000 in FY
2001-2001 and $220,600 in FY 2002-2003 from the state general fund to the
Department of Agriculture for eradication of the sweet resin bush throughout
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.
In
2000, H.B. 2053 addressed the eradication of the sweet resin bush, but was
vetoed by the Governor. In the veto
message, it was stated that the bill was vetoed because it focused on
eradication of the sweet resin bush in only one part of the state rather than
providing for a statewide eradication program.
The message also stated that the eradication should be dealt with by the
Department of Agriculture, not by a local Natural Resources Conservation
District as stated in the bill.
S.B. 1194 appropriates
$378,000 in FY 2001-2002 and $220,600 in FY 2002-2003 from the state general
fund to address the eradication of the sweet resin bush throughout Arizona.
Provisions
1. Appropriates $378,000 in FY 2001-2002 and $220,600 in FY 2002-2003 from the state general fund to the Department of Agriculture for eradication of the sweet resin bush throughout Arizona and exempts the appropriation from lapsing.
2. Provides for a general effective date.
Amendments
Adopted by the NRAE Committee
1. Increases the appropriation in FY 2001-2002 from $185,000 to $378,000 and appropriates $220,600 from the general fund in FY 2002-2003.
2. Shifts the appropriation from the State Land Department for distribution to the Gila Valley NRCD to the Department of Agriculture.
3. Broadens the sweet resin bush eradication program to include all lands in Arizona rather than only state trust land in Southeastern Arizona.
Senate Action
NRAE 2/1/01 DPA 8-0-0
APPROP 3/6/01 DP 9-2-1
Prepared by Senate Staff
March 7, 2001