Millions of dollars will be used to help remove invasive weed on Salinas River

$3.4 million dollars will assist in an ongoing project to get rid of arundo, an invasive species found along the Salinas River.

“This is our second grant from the Wildlife Conservation Board. The money will treat about 350 acres between Greenfield and Soledad,” said Executive Director for the Resource Conservation District of Monterey County, Paul Robins.

Arundo looks very similar to bamboo, however it is an invasive species. It actually came over from the Mediterranean.”

“On the Salinas River where it was planted on levy banks, it spread into the river and became something that obstructs flow,” said Robins.

Which is what happened during the floods of 1995.

“There were several million dollars’ worth of crops lost from flooding. So it was a big financial loss for the community,” said Monterey County Agricultural Commission Resource and Policy Manager, Christina Mcginnis.

Salinas Valley Farmer Wayne Gularte experienced the devastation first hand.

“I got a field right out here and it took away 10 feet of top soil on ten acres or ground. That ground was lost forever,” said Salinas Valley Farmer Wayne Gularte.

The arundo not only causes flooding, but in drought stricken California it’s sucking up one of the most valuable resources.

“It sucks up about twice as much water as all of your native willows and cotton trees and other native species in the Salinas River channel,” said Salinas Gularte.

Many landowners and farmers are on board with the project.

“I think they’re just very happy to see movement on getting the arundo out,” said Mcginnis.

Work under this grant will begin in Fall and last about five years.

“We get rid of the arundo we can help the water get through and recharge into our aquafer. It’s a win, win for everyone,” said Gularte.