These proposed supplemental appropriations are to provide for the control of halogeton, a poisonous weed, which has infested a large area of Federal range and Indian lands in several Western States. This weed is a serious killer of livestock. Control consists of reseeding to perennial grasses and limited chemical spraying of infested areas where reseeding is not practicable.

The rapid spread of halogeton and resulting livestock losses emphasizes the need for undertaking a control program as soon as possible. Some of the Western States have already interested themselves in the problem and to the extent possible the control measures will be undertaken on a cooperative basis. Sufficient information on control methods has been developed to begin a control program at this time. (The justification notes referred to are as follows:)

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT MANAGEMENT OF LANDS AND RESOURCES Funds are requested to begin a program of control and eradication of poisonous weeds on the western range lands under the juridsiction of the Bureau of Land Management.

Regular estimate 1952.
Supplemental estimate 1952_._.

THE PROBLEM

$7, 850, 000 2, 000, 000

Halogeton, an introduced poisonous weed, is spreading on western range lands and rapidly becoming a damgerous threat to the range livestock industry. The plant produces oxalates in the form of sodium and potassium salts that precipitate insoluble crystals in the kidneys of animals which feed upon it. Spectacular livestock losses through halogeton poisoning have resulted in Nation-wide recognition of the dangers of this new range pest and locally affected livestock operators have organized control groups seeking to obtain ways and means of combatting this menace.

In at least one major winter sheep-range area, the Raft River Valley in Idaho, operators have had to abandon the winter use of the area because of halogeton. This is especially serious during this period when demands are being made for increased production of meat, wool, and hides.

EXTENT OF INFESTATION

Presently known infestations of halogeton occur largely on range lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management, and the Bureau has been subjected to considerable criticism because of its failure to take action on initiating an adequate control program.

Although its presence in this country had been known since 1935, its lethal properties were not recognized until recent years. From a single known point of infestation at Wells, Nev., halogeton has spread over large areas of California, Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, and Utah. Lesser areas of infestation occur in other Western States. From what is known of its growth requirements, there is reason to believe that if it is not controlled it could spread over the entire western half of the United States. Approximately 640,000 acres of BLM lands are known to be infested, and surveys undoubtedly would extend this area substantially. These areas of infestation are scattered over a gross area of 50 million acres.

Halogeton aggressively invades areas of disturbed or denuded soil, but it is a very weak competitor with perennial vegetation, particularly range grasses. The prevalence of halogeton along highway rights-of-way indicates that its rapid longdistance spread has been assisted by highway traffic.

INTEREST BY OTHERS

The seriousness of the investation is recognized by the States, several of which have appropriated funds in support of research and control programs. Paced principally by the Universities of Idaho and Nevada, western colleges have been studying halogeton in an effort to devise means of controlling or eradicating the weed. The Bureau has been and will continue to cooperate with these schools in solving a mutual problem.

Weed-control programs are functioning either directly under State supervision or at the county or district level. However, as the work of the programs is restricted to State or private lands, their efforts are in part nullified by reinfestation due to the failure of the Bureau to keep pace on public lands.

THE SOLUTION

Authorities are agreed that the only practical method now known of preventing the spread of halogeton is through reseeding the range to hardy, drought-resisting grasses. It not only furnishes the best-known method of control, but protects the land from reinfestation.

Control trials, in cooperation with State colleges and local organizations, have shown that halogeton can be killed with chemical sprays. This method is not practical for large-scale application because of the high cost occasioned by the necessity for retreatment and the further fact that the treated area would be exposed to reinfestation unless immediate steps are taken to reseed with strongly competing vegetation. However, chemical control has a definite place in an organized control program to delay further spread by reducing seed production along highway rights-of-way; in eradicating isolated infestations too small for efficient reseeding work; controlling the spread on soils unsuited to successful reseeding; and eradicating infestation on sites suitable for reseeding.

THE PROGRAM

To successfully cope with the halogeton menace will require an annual contro program large enough to hold the growth within known infested areas and to prevent the spread to adjacent lands. Inadequate control will allow the plant to spread faster than it is killed, prolonging the campaign at considerably greater final cost. Effective control requires an immediate, concerted attack on all

fronts.

During the first year areas will be reseeded within the limits of available seed and other supplies; chemical control will be employed to delay spread and reduce seed production along highways; and equipment secured for future operations. The supplemental appropriation of $2,000,000 for 1952 fiscal year is requested to finance the following major program phases:

1. Conduct surveys in cooperation with the States, counties, weed-control districts, other Federal agencies and individuals, to delineate the halogeton infestations on Bureau lands.

2. Cooperate with State highway departments, county and district weedcontrol programs, to secure control along highways and scattered tracts of public land.

State control committees organized in Utah, Nevada, Idaho, and other States will correlate the activities of the various groups engaged in control or research. They will be especially helpful in the organization of surveys to determine the location and extent of infestations and in serving as clearinghouses for all other available information.

Cooperation on actual control operations will be developed through State and local weed-control agencies, depending upon the type of organization having responsibility in each of the several States. Idaho has county weed-control programs authorized by State law and administered by the county boards of commissioners. Each county has a weed-control supervisor, crews, equipment and other facilities for controlling weeds. They are not authorized, however, to use county weed-control funds on Federal lands but through Bureau cooperation their facilities can be utilized in controlling halogeton on such lands.

The same situation prevails in Oregon and California, where State laws provide for weed-control districts, not necessarily confined to county lines. In these and other States, efforts will be coordinated with State highway departments in the use of maintenance crews for controlling halogeton along highway rights-ofway. Similar cooperation has been indicated by the railroads, offering opportunities to stamp out infestations along some of the principal avenues of spread. B. Direct operations

1. Carry out a program of chemical control along 2,000 miles of rights-of-way and on areas not susceptible to reseeding.

2. Reseed from 75,000 to 100,000 acres of infested range land, depending upon available seed supplies, during the fall of 1951.

3. In the spring of 1952 prepare from 75,000 to 100,000 acres of infested range land for fall reseeding.

C. Area of operations

The control program for 1952 will be concentrated in the following areas:

BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS-RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

Supplemental estimate, 1952, $300,000. The purpose of this supplemental estimate is to provide for the control of halogeton, a poisonous weed, which has infested a large area of Federal range and Indian lands in several Western States. The plant Halogeton glomeratus is a killer of sheep and to a lesser degree of cattle. It has forced some stockmen out of business and annually is increasing its area of growth. It was first identified in Nevada in 1935, after unintentionally being introduced from Russia. Its poisonous properties were first recognized in 1942. It is now found in the northern two-thirds of Nevada and Utah, southern Idaho, western Wyoming, and southwestern Montana. The public is increasingly aware of the dangers of the plant and is asking that it be controlled. Known cases of stock losses in the West are recorded. Some cases of livestock operators being forced out of business have been reported. In the areas presently affected there is real concern that livestock industry may have to cease operating. The States are prepared or are preparing to take measures against the plant. To prevent these efforts from being materially nullified, lands under the control of the Federal Government, including Indian lands, must be treated. A progressive control program of halogeton can only be instituted where all lands are covered. Indian acreage in the area affected is as follows:

The open grazing lands are the areas subject to invasion by the poisonous plant particularly where the vegetative cover is thin or lacking or where there has been soil disturbance as along roads. It is anticipated that the plant will

soon be found in California, Oregon, Colorado, and in the early future in Arizona and New Mexico.

Whereas additional knowledge regarding the plant is highly desirable, sufficient information is available to control the invasion where it has taken place and to prevent or at least lessen invasion where it has not taken place. Funds are requested for survey and control.

Survey, $35,000.-Halogeton is known to be on Indian lands in three locations in Nevada. It is believed that a survey will show it to be present on other Indian lands in Nevada and on Indian lands in Idaho and Utah and perhaps in Wyoming. Survey funds are needed to ascertain where halogeton is found on Indian lands, to determine the magnitude of the problem, and to recommend where control work should be performed with priority in its application. For 1952, funds are requested to operate three weed survey crews primarily on the lands of the Carson, Fort Hall, and Uintah and Ouray Agencies. Each crew is to be composed of a weed-survey technician or competent range ecologist for 0.8 of a year assisted when in the field by two part-time employees. One of these is to be a guide for the local area and the other to directly assist the technician in obtaining survey data.

Personal services amount to $19,620. Travel amounts to $6,980, for the men of the crews perforce will have to spend much of their time in the field and live in the local area where they are working.

Seeding, $256,000.-On the open range halogeton is controlled most readily by the seeding and planting of grasses. Halogeton cannot survive the competition of other plants. Crested wheatgrass has demonstrated repeatedly its ability to virtually eliminate all halogeton from an area.

Funds are requested to seed 60,000 acres of range where halogeton is found or where the surveys show that is most likely to invade. Grasses will be used for this purpose particularly crested wheatgrass. Selection of planting sites, ground preparation, species, and mixtures of seeds will be in accordance with the best available technical knowledge. It is contemplated that the Bureau iteslf can seed 15,000 acres in the fiscal year and that 45,000 acres will be seeded by contract.

Portions of the planted area should be fenced against livestock to permit the grass species to become well established. This is particularly necessary in those locations where it is difficult to control grazing such as in the vicinity of watering places and along livestock driveways. It is estimated that 100 miles of fencing will be required.

Of the $256,000, $206,000 is for the seeding proper and $50,000 is for the protection of the plantings by fencing.

Spraying, $9,000.-Halogeton can be killed by spraying oil, 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T. General spraying to control halogeton is not recommended, for these sprays kill certain other kinds of vegetation thereby making it easier for the prolific seeding halogeton to spread as a result of decreased competition for moisture.

Spraying under certain conditions is recommended. This is very advisable along roads, particularly road shoulders. Known information on the spread of halogeton shows that its invasion proceeds most rapidly along roads. Presum

ably the seed lodges on passing vehicles and subsequently falls off onto the disturbed soil of road shoulders and right-of-ways where conditions are very favorable for its growth. Sprays applied at the proper time to prevent the formation of seed or to prevent its developing to maturity should materially retard the spread of halogeton.

The $9,000 is requested to spray approximately 300 miles of roadsides on Indian lands.

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

GENERAL STATEMENT

Mr. KIRWAN. Mr. Endersbee, we will be glad to have you give us a general explanation of this matter.

Mr. ENDERSBEE. I have no prepared statement, Mr. Chairman, and my remarks will be brief and rather general as applied to the weed problems in the Department.

I think that all of you know that weeds have always been a problem, and I think they have been accentuated these past few years by reason of the fact there has been much increased activity and better

land use, and it has been found that they are using much valuable land that might be used for useful purposes.

We in the Department have been endeavoring to find out more about the problems this past year. Especially this past year all the bureaus have been concentrating on general weed surveys.

We find that we have around 4,500,000 acres of area with weed problems. That is all types of weeds.

Halogeton, which is the subject of the hearing this morning, I might say, presents one of the new weed problems. It is a weed that has been known in this country for 15 or more years; but in recent years it has apparently been spreading more rapidly than heretofore, especially in the Western States where it exists, and activity has been increasing for its control by State and private interests.

Now, weeds of any type, including halogeton, are no respectors of property lines. It is important that in any infested areas all agencies, both Government and private, should unite in a universal and comprehensive control program.

I am not going to attempt to go into details of the halogeton problem because both of the Bureaus-the Bureau of Land Management and the Indian Bureau-who have presented estimates, are far more familiar with that particular problem and the technical factors involved than I am.

So far as we know, there are somewhere in the neighborhood of 700,000 acres of known infestation at the present time. We know, in in addition to that, that the halogeton plant is spreading. It is not known at the present time how extensive it is, except that it has been found over a large area outside the 700,000 acres that I mentioned. With that brief statement, Mr. Chairman, I would suggest that we go into the details to be presented by the two Bureaus.

EXTENT OF INFESTATION

Mr. KIRWAN. How many acres would you say the Government has infested with these weeds?

Mr. ENDERSBEE. About 4,500,000 acres infested with all types of weeds. The halogeton infestation so far, at the present time, is known to be between 650,000 and 700,000 acres.

Mr. KIRWAN. How many States is it in?

Mr. ENDERSBEE. They think it is in nearly all 11 Western States. Mr. KIRWAN. Will you insert in the record the names of the States? Mr. ENDERSBEE. Yes, sir.

Mr. KIRWAN. Can we be sure that the state and private interests will do their part toward controlling halogeton on the land they manage?

Mr. ENDERSBEE. Yes. A few of the States have passed legislation and appropriated money for the control of halogeton. I cannot give you the details. I do not know how much any of the States have appropriated. I do not have that information.