The Nature Conservancy Applauds Arizona’s Rep. Grijalva For Commitment to Protect National Parks
House Overwhelmingly Passes Natural Resource Protection Cooperative Agreement Act
PHOENIX, ARIZONA — March 21, 2007— A bill that would allow the National Park Service to work with a broad range of partners to protect important lands from invasive species—“non-native” plants and animals—passed the House of Representatives Monday by a 390-10 margin thanks to swift action by Natural Resources Committee for National Parks and Forests, Public Lands Subcommittee Chairman Raul Grijalva (D-AZ). Combating invasive species is one of five priority initiatives spearheaded by The Nature Conservancy to address principal threats to its conservation work at project sites worldwide.
“This bill will give the Park Service the tools it needs to address the devastating impacts of invasive species on Park lands,” Representative Grijalva said. “I was happy to help facilitate its passage in the House and hope the bill will be signed into law soon, so that the problems with invasive species can be more effectively addressed."
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Buffelgrass © Mark Dimmitt/ASDM |
When introduced into a non-native ecosystem, invasive species not only can harm the environment, but also have devastating effects on the economy and human health. Each year, invasive species such as the zebra mussel and purple loosestrife cost the United States more than $120 billion in control and response costs. If passed, this bill would strengthen conservation projects around the country by authorizing the Park Service to work with neighboring landowners and partners to proactively address invasive species that threaten the wildlife, diversity, and visitors’ enjoyment of National Parks.
“Invasive species like buffelgrass in the Sonoran Desert and tamarisk in our streamside forests are an increasing threat to National Parks and other areas important to wildlife and people,” said Tom Collazo, associate state director of The Nature Conservancy in Arizona. Land managers need tools such as the Natural Resource Protection Cooperative Agreement Act to help them work across ownership lines to effectively combat invasives.”
“The Conservancy is grateful for the bi-partisan conservation leadership demonstrated by Chairman Grijalva in ensuring the bill’s overwhelming support this session,” he said. “He understands how desperately land managers need tools such as those provided by this bill.” (Learn more about invasives in Arizona)
In the Senate, companion bill S. 241, sponsored by Sens. Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Daniel Akaka (D-HI), is being taken up by the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. It is expected to pass the Senate without controversy within the next few weeks. In Arizona, the Park Service has indicated they could take on the following three cooperative projects if this bill becomes law:
Park Unit: Canyon de Chelly National Monument
Partner: Navajo Indian Reservation
Project/Pest: Tamarisk and Russian olive
Park Unit: Grand Canyon National Park
Partner: Hualapai Indian Reservation
Project/Pest: Remove Tamarisk from shared drainages
Park Unit: Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site
Partner: Navajo Indian Reservation
Project/Pest: Pueblo Colorado Wash tamarisk and Russian olive
To learn more about how the Conservancy is working to combat invasive species, visit: http://www.nature.org/initiatives/invasivespecies/
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The Nature Conservancy is a leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. For more information about our work in Arizona, visit http://nature.org/arizona.
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