Number: 1990-20
WHEREAS, purple LOOSE STRIFE (Lythrum salicaria) is an exotic plant imported from northern Europe and widely sold as a garden ornamental; and
WHEREAS, by abundant seed production and effective seed dispersal purple LOOSE STRIFE invades wetlands IN the United States and quickly dominates and can eventually eliminate native plants; and
WHEREAS, purple LOOSE STRIFE is of little value as a food or cover plant for native wildlife; and
WHEREAS, purple LOOSE STRIFE, once established, is extremely difficult to eradicate; and
WHEREAS, purple LOOSE STRIFE has already invaded wetlands throughout significant portions of North America to the detriment of native plant, fish and wildlife resources; and
WHEREAS, the National Wildlife Federation has a long history of wetland protection and preservation;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation in annual meeting assembled March 15-18, 1990, in Denver, Colorado, urges the federal government to take all actions as may be necessary to ban purple LOOSE STRIFE from interstate commerce; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation urges the federal government to research and develop environmentally safe biological methods to control purple LOOSE STRIFE in wetlands; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation urges that chemicals be used only as an interim control method, and then only in concert with environmental monitoring, and after rigorous testing, including field testing, has demonstrated the chemical to be environmentally safe without impacts to non-target species; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation urges the U.S. Department of Agriculture to provide educational and technical assistance to private landowners and local, state and federal agencies for the control of purple LOOSE STRIFE on their respective lands.