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Team Tamarisk continues
Coordination and cooperation lead the way
Team Tamarisk continues to make progress battling the invasive plant tamarisk (also known as salt cedar) a little more than a year after over 300 representatives from federal, state, local, tribal organizations and the private sector met to discuss the challenges of controlling and managing the invasive weed tamarisk and developing sustainable habitats in its place. The 2004 conference had representatives from approximately 19 states, with the focus on the southwestern states where the tamarisk problem and its impact on watersheds and wetlands is particularly severe. The Team Tamarisk: Cooperating for Results conference was sponsored by the U.S. Departments of the Interior (DOI) and Agriculture (USDA), the National Invasive Species Council (NISC), and 11 other organizations.
"Last year the sponsors and I knew that pulling together Team Tamarisk for the conference meant that we already had the building blocks of a powerful and effective partnership to produce results on the ground," said Scott Cameron, deputy assistant secretary for performance, accountability and human resources at DOI. "I am pleased that about 14 months later, efforts continue, and even though the work is far from complete, it is progressing and providing great examples of Interior Secretary Norton's four C's: Communication, consultation, and cooperation, all in the service of conservation."
"USDA is pleased to see the important work of Team Tamarisk progressing," said Chuck Lambert, USDA deputy undersecretary for marketing and regulatory programs. "We were glad to take part in the meeting and are impressed by the ongoing efforts of many Team Tamarisk members including the biocontrol program, mapping efforts, economic impact studies and others."
Based on the Team Tamarisk Guiding Principles developed at the conference and consistent with Executive Order (EO) 13352 on Cooperative Conservation and EO 13112 on Invasive Species, the work of Team Tamarisk is continuing. This group of innovative and committed people has managed to put the principles to work and have demonstrated the ability to "walk the walk" of cooperative conservation. There are significant accomplishments to report for both individual Team Tamarisk members and groups.
"NISC congratulates all those so committed to meeting the challenges presented by the invasive plant tamarisk," said Lori Williams, executive director of NISC. "Team Tamarisk members continue to provide examples of how important and inspirational cooperation and coordination can be in the field and in Washington, D.C."
In several states, dense tamarisk stands cover large riparian areas where they consume substantial amounts of water, increase wildfire frequency and intensity, and alter wildlife habitat by crowding out other vegetation. The battle against this aggressive invasive plant is being fought on many fronts and many levels, but teamwork is a common theme. Several federal agencies participate in the NISC Interagency Performance-Based Crosscut Budget specific initiative on tamarisk that outlines ongoing federal projects.
Date: 5/26/05
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