If you’re thinking about planting bamboo in your yard, think again — and if you already have it on your property, heads up. The Town of Riverhead is considering regulating the invasive plant with an eye toward preventing it from spreading onto adjoining properties or into a public or private right of way.
The town board is proposing a new code that would make it unlawful for any person or business entity to plant or replant bamboo and also to cause or allow the spread of existing bamboo on to neighboring properties, and privately or publicly owned including public rights-of- way.
A property owner or occupant would be liable for “the direct and indirect costs of abating the nuisance and all expenses incidental thereto,” according to the proposed new code.
Property owners who have bamboo on their property are required to take measures to prevent bamboo from spreading onto adjoining properties or into a public or private right of way, including installing an impenetrable sheathing at least 30 inches deep to preven the bamboo from spreading.
The town board is expected to schedule an April 3 public hearing on the proposed code at its meeting tomorrow afternoon. If the board approves the resolution tomorrow, the hearing will be held at 2:05 p.m. at Riverhead Town Hall.
Two types of bamboo, golden bamboo and yellow grove bamboo, are listed by the State Department of Environmental Conservation as prohibited invasive terrestrial plants. The possession with intent to sell, import, transport or introduce any prohibited invasive species and the sale, importation, purchase, tranport, introduction or propagation of a prohibited invasive species is a violation of state environmental regulations. Violations are punishable by monetary penalties under State Environmental Conservation Law.
Bamboos are native to the tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, Africa and Latin America. The plant — a tall, hearty grass — is thought to have originated in China, where the first use of bamboo to make every day items was recorded, according to Bamboo Grove, an organization “ dedicated to the promotion and use of bamboo throughout the world.”
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