Committee approves $3 million for salt‑cedar mitigation along Lower Gila River

The Natural Resources, Energy and Water Committee voted to return Senate Bill 16‑77 with a due‑pass recommendation after testimony from environmental groups, municipal representatives and landowners urging funding for salt‑cedar mitigation in the Lower Gila River corridor.

SB16‑77 would appropriate $3,000,000 from the state general fund in fiscal year 2027 to the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management (DFFM) for salt‑cedar mitigation along a roughly 36‑mile stretch of river channel from SR‑85 to Gillespie Dam. Testimony from Haley Paul of Audubon Southwest described salt‑cedar (tamarisk) as a barrier to native habitat, recreation and river function and said strategic removal and replacement with native species can reduce flood and fire risk and restore wildlife habitat.

Damon Doreme (Buckeye) and other local officials said salt cedar covers tens of thousands of acres in the corridor and cited daily water use estimates per tree (a witness cited a range of 250–400 gallons per day), elevated flood risk, and wildfire hazard from dense stands. Local farmer Gary Gable testified mechanical removal is feasible and can be performed with minimal chemical use in many areas; he emphasized maintenance and local involvement to prevent regrowth.

Committee members asked about treatment methods, long‑term maintenance, and whether DFFM has an implementation plan; witnesses said DFFM and local partners have worked in the corridor and that strategic prescriptions (mechanical removal, herbicide where necessary, and native replanting) are part of mitigation approaches. The committee moved the bill and recorded a roll call vote: SB16‑77 received a due‑pass recommendation (recorded vote: 9 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent).