Invasive plants, wild animals problems for military installations

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Invasive plants and wild animals are causing problems at two of Oklahoma military installations, officials said. <br/><br/>A national study of military bases by the National Wildlife

Saturday, October 22nd 2005, 11:37 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Invasive plants and wild animals are causing problems at two of Oklahoma military installations, officials said.

A national study of military bases by the National Wildlife Federation found that 20 percent of Fort Sill Army post's 94,000 acres is overrun by tamarisk, or salt cedar.

Tamarisk is a desert shrub or tree that accumulates salt in its tissues, which is later released into the soil, making it unsuitable for many native species. It is damaging recreational ponds in the area, putting the fish and wildlife habitat at risk on the post, the study found.

Officials at Fort Sill declined to comment.

The post also has a problem with red cedar, a tree that has invaded more than 6 million acres across the state, the study showed.

According to the study, which included Fort Sill and 11 other military bases across the country, invasive species cause a heightened risk on military installations because of an increased fire threat in ammunition and flight zones, military officials said.

At the McAlester Army Ammunition Plant, red cedar trees and feral hogs have been a problem, spokesman Mark Hughes said.

Because cedar can burn easily, the species poses a fire hazard and competes with natural vegetation in the area, Hughes said.

Scheduled burns of the cedar are conducted during the winter months to prevent spreading. Hughes said the base burns about 3,000 acres annually.

The wild hogs have damaged the base's agricultural land-leasing program and the overall ecosystem at the installation, Hughes said.

``The rooting activity of hogs damages our agricultural hay meadows, rendering them useless on many occasions,'' Hughes said. ``To sustain our agriculture program, we have to control this species.''

The hogs are trapped and shot on the base throughout the year and are mainly corralled by dogs trained to catch them. Hughes said since Jan. 1, 169 hogs have been captured and killed on the base.

Vance Air Force Base in Enid hasn't had any problems with invasive species, a spokeswoman said.

Altus Air Force Base has had to deal with some red cedar encroachment and migratory birds, but the problems aren't significant enough to interfere with daily activity, Sgt. Eugene Bird said.

Calls made to Tinker Air Force Base were not returned.

Andy McDaniels, executive director of the Oklahoma Wildlife Federation said invasive species aren't just a problem for military installations.

``Oklahoma is known for its beautiful landscapes and great hunting and fishing, but the damage caused by invasive species from wildfires, loss of wildlife habitat and loss of recreation and water yield is enormous,'' McDaniels said.