A Drop in The Cogon Bucket

There's an AP story in some newspapers today about the state of Alabama using $6-Million in stimulus money to fight cogongrass, an invasive highly flammable plant that crowds out native specials and is spreading rapidly northward from South Alabama. I know a little about it because I produced a documentary about invasives, and cogon was the evil star (relatively tame kudzu was the poster boy!). Read the news release from the Alabama Forestry Commission and you'll understand quickly that a) they are delighted to get the money for the battle, and b)it is not nearly enough to win the war. Read this statement by State Forester Linda Casey:

"...with the welcomed but limited funding provided, it will be impossible to make a significant impact for all landowners where cogongrass is widespread and in the counties where this invasive plant has been allowed to grow virtually unchecked since 1912. All interested citizens need to be aware of this reality. We believe it is possible to convince our state and federal elected officials, as well as the US Forest Service, that given the appropriate funding, we can win the war against cogongrass. This current funding does indeed provide a start, but that is it all it can be.”

The six million will certainly help the owners and employees of some agricultural companies that win the contract to spray the cogon. But unless there is serious additional funding down the road, cogongrass will eventually win, at great cost to any number of industries in Alabama, including the timber industries. Timber property is taxed at an extraordinarily low rate in Alabama compared to other Southeastern states. Perhaps the timber owners will agree to an increase? The funds collected for the first few years couold be used to kill off cogon, and after that to support other state services that are badly underfunded.