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Weed Warriors go to Washington

Posted by talkdirt

Posted: March 6, 2008 - 1:58 pm

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Weed Warriors Troy and Lori Zaumseil meeting with Congressman Don Young in Washington D.C. Rep. Young agreed to help with legislation to control invasive weeds. Photo courtesy Lori ZaumseilFrom Lori and Troy Zaumseil of CANWIN:

Boy have we got good dirt to talk!!!

Troy and I just returned from Washington DC, where we were invited to speak at the opening session of the National Invasive Weeds Awareness Week. This was the 9th annual NIWAW and is a gathering of many federal, state, local and university agencies who are working on the issue of invasive plants in their areas. Al Tasker, who is head of the USDA Invasive Plants program heard us speak at the state CNIPM conference in Fairbanks and invited us to D.C.

We learned so much there, but most important of all, was reaffirming what every expert here in Alaska has been saying--it's only a matter of time until Alaska has the same huge problems other states are struggling with, and the multi-million dollar price tags that go with them. The good news is that since we have the foresight and the wisdom and experience of those who have gone before us, we can address this problem BEFORE it's beyond control, but we must act.

The main focus and all the buzz at the national conference was the 100th Meridian Bill that was introduced into the Senate in August. (Senate Bill 1949). This bill would appropriate monies to be allotted, through the Governors of the thirteen states west of the 100th Meridian, to people working on invasive plants issues. It is a federally funded program that would benefit Alaska (and other western states) tremendously in the fight against invasive weeds. At the top of the wish list for the national committee was to get a House version of the bill introduced by the ranking member of the House Natural Resources Committee....who happens to be our own Don Young. In addition, they were hoping for a co-sponsor on the Senate side who sits on the Senate Natural Resources Committee....a seat that Lisa Murkowski holds. Many of the "suits" at the conference smiled politely when we asked questions about what we should be asking of our legislators when we met with them and simply "wished us luck." They seemed to not put much stock in the "citizen's approach" to legislation and politics.

Our first visit was to Congressman Don Young's office. He met with us personally, he heard us out, looked at the photos we have taken, read over the copy of the 100th Meridian Bill we brought and truly seemed to understand the threat to salmon rivers and streams, wetlands, agriculture and property values. He asked simply "what do we need to do?" We told him that he had the ability to make a huge difference to Alaska and elsewhere by sponsoring a House version of the bill, and he agreed to do it! (Pending review by his staff). We were very excited and headed off to our appointment with Senator Ted Stevens. Congressman Young told us "You tell Ted I said he needs to get behind this!!" Gotta love that kind of endorsement! Senator Stevens was positive and supportive and after speaking with him, we spent nearly half an hour with his legislative aide for Natural Resources.

We met with Senator Lisa Murkowski and her staff the next day and posed the question of co-sponsoring the bill. We have not heard back yet on her final answer, but she and her staff were very interested and spent time with us on this issue. The people at the conference seemed to be truly amazed that we had secured a positive response to our request of Congressman Young! They listed it as the #1 positive outcome from the Conference! We, on the other hand, are not surprised and are really proud of the fact that Alaska could really make the difference in this issue.

We also spoke with Governor's Palin staff in D.C. about the 100th Meridian Bill and about HB330, which is being considered in our state legislature right now. The state bill creates an invasive weed program in Alaska for the first time and gives a focal point to organize efforts in the state and means to secure other federal assistance. Alaska Rep. Craig Johnson of Anchorage, introduced the legislation and hopefully all the gardeners in the state are letting their legislators (and the Governor) know that they want them to support this bill!

All in all it was an interesting and exciting trip. Politics is not for us, we are happy to be back and working on our seed starts for this spring's garden!

War on Weeds!
Lori and Troy Zaumseil

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2 March 17, 2008 - 9:10pm | tagalak

Congrats you did it

I heard the bill passed....... we all thank you!!!

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1 March 7, 2008 - 12:06am | tagalak

Thanks

Lori and Troy,
Thanks for your dedication on fighting the invasives. Sometimes it must seem like you are all alone in your fight but you're not. What you are doing is important and vital.... Please keep on being active and vocal,
we do appreciate you in our gardening world.

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Weed Warriors go to Washington