Village Holds Public Hearing Tues. on Bamboo Legislation

A public hearing is set for Tuesday, March 5, at Lindenhurst Village Hall to consider a local Village law limiting the proliferation of bamboo.

The hearing is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m.

Its invasive qualities and the difficulties associated with limiting its proliferation has made it a somewhat unwelcome plant in many communities.

For example, in 2011 bamboo bans were discussed in the Towns of Smithtown and Islip and in Babylon and Sag Harbor Villages, according to reports on Smithtown, West Islip, East Hampton and Babylon Village Patch sites.

In addition, Long Beach City, according to a report on Long Beach Patch, the Town of Hempstead, according to a report on East Meadow Patch, and the Town of Brookhaven, according to a report on NorthShoreofLongIsland.com, banned bamboo last Summer.

Plus, New York State Assemblyman Bob Sweeney, (D, Lindenhurst), authored a new bill designed to hinder the spread of invasive plant and animal species across the State that was signed into law by Governor Andrew Cuomo last Summer and took effect in January, according to a report on Newsday.com.

The report said the new law makes the sale, possession or transportation of non-native species punishable by fines from the Department of Environmental Conservation.

And now, according to a report on BabylonBeacon.com, the Towns of Babylon Huntington and Oyster Bay have passed laws similar to one under consideration by Lindenhurst officials.

The BabylonBeacon.com report said the legislation under consideration in the Village of Lindenhurst would require residents who have bamboo planted on their property ensure that it doesn't spread into their neighbors’ yards.

Bamboo, one of the fastest-growing plants on earth, spreads by underground rhizomes, popping up in unlikely places such as in driveways and through garage floors, and often costing homeowners thousands of dollars in damage or removal fees.

“We've had a lot of complaints from residents about bamboo,” said Mayor Tom Brennan in the BabylonBeacon.com report. “If it gets on to someone’s property from their neighbor’s property, then it’s almost impossible to get rid of."

“We've looked at laws already in place in some other municipalities, and are working to simplify ours,” said Village Administrator Shawn Cullinane in the report.

No resident who currently has bamboo on their property will be impacted by the new law, if enacted, unless that plant incroaches on their neighbors’ properties noted Cullinane in the report.

Residents with questions could attend the public hearing that's set for Tuesday night.

Related Coverage:

• Lindenhurst Village Passes Bamboo Restrictions
  
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• Village Works to Repair Potholes
• Babylon Town Says It's on Top of Potholes
• VOL Enlists United Way's Help for Sandy Relief Fund
• Village Begins Text Messaging to Keep Powerless Residents Informed
• Owen Johnson's Seagrass Protection Act Passes State Senate

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