You are correct that saltcedar (tamarisk) is spreading in the lower Owyhee drainage. The good news is that the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA), Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have been working since 2003 to get a biological control insect established in the area. This season is the first season that we are seeing significant numbers of the insects and we hope to see some significant control during the next 2-3 years of saltcedar. For more information please refer to the ODA web site at: http://oregon.gov/ODA/PLANT/WEEDS/bio_profile_diel.shtml

Thank you for your submission: Tim Butler, ODA Noxious Weed Control Program.

Tim Butler
July 28, 2008, 9:02 a.m.