[wjcsux]

The Tamarisk trees were imported in the 1800's from the Middle East. They were brought in for wind blocks and planted all over AZ, CO, UT and NM. They soak up water like a sponge. I have heard that these trees use up almost 1/4 of the water in the Rio Grande. As you stated, the state has tried to get rid of them but the USFWS stands in the way. Remember the USFS bonehead who tried to conduct a controlled burn in the middle of our windy season?

[Muleteam1]

>>As you stated, the state has tried to get rid of them but the USFWS stands in the way. <<

The primary concern expressed for getting rid of the salt cedar underbrush is the loss of possible habitat for the Southwestern willow flycatcher which is known to use these habitats. However, it seems pretty short-sighted to simply overlook the millions of gallons of water needed to support these exotic plants in a desert climate.

>>Remember the USFS bonehead who tried to conduct a controlled burn in the middle of our windy season?<<

Ha! Indeed I do. The conversion of the Forest Service to a Park Service is slowly, but surely occuring. Most people do not realize that, although the Forest Service is still an agency of the US Department of Agriculture, it's annual budgets are now dissiminated through the Department of the Interior.

Muleteam1