Running Bamboo - Fairfax County, Virginia...running bamboo, defined in Virginia Code § 15.2-901.1...
Transcript of Running Bamboo - Fairfax County, Virginia...running bamboo, defined in Virginia Code § 15.2-901.1...
![Page 1: Running Bamboo - Fairfax County, Virginia...running bamboo, defined in Virginia Code § 15.2-901.1 •Virginia Code § 15.2-901.1 defines “running bamboo” as “any bamboo that](https://reader034.fdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022050111/5f486281f73ac83276634366/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
Running Bamboo
Update to the Board of Supervisor’s Environmental Committee
Joint Agency Presentation
October 2, 2018
![Page 2: Running Bamboo - Fairfax County, Virginia...running bamboo, defined in Virginia Code § 15.2-901.1 •Virginia Code § 15.2-901.1 defines “running bamboo” as “any bamboo that](https://reader034.fdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022050111/5f486281f73ac83276634366/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
Overview of Legislation
2
• Enabling Legislation to allow the county to control/remove Running Bamboo
• 2017 General Assembly enacted legislation (HB 2154/ SB 964) authorizing localities to add running bamboo to existing ordinances regulating grass, and to adopt an ordinance providing for the control of running bamboo, defined in Virginia Code § 15.2-901.1
• Virginia Code § 15.2-901.1 defines “running bamboo” as “any bamboo that is characterized by aggressive spreading behavior, including species in the genus Phyllostachys.”
![Page 3: Running Bamboo - Fairfax County, Virginia...running bamboo, defined in Virginia Code § 15.2-901.1 •Virginia Code § 15.2-901.1 defines “running bamboo” as “any bamboo that](https://reader034.fdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022050111/5f486281f73ac83276634366/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
CURRENT PRACTICES
3
CURRENT GRASS ORDINANCE
• Chapter 119 - Grass or Lawn Area of the Fairfax County Code regulates grass height.
• Grass height may not exceed twelve inches.
• Enforcement and Staffing is seasonal; May through October
• Invoice property owners for the cost of the cut if they do not comply after receiving notice of a violation
• Institute a lien on the property for unpaid invoices
![Page 4: Running Bamboo - Fairfax County, Virginia...running bamboo, defined in Virginia Code § 15.2-901.1 •Virginia Code § 15.2-901.1 defines “running bamboo” as “any bamboo that](https://reader034.fdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022050111/5f486281f73ac83276634366/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
New Enabling Authority
• Virginia Code § 15.2-901 adds running bamboo to the types of growth regulated in the current Grass or Lawn Area Ordinance.
• Virginia Code § 15.2-901.1 is new enabling authority permitting an ordinance that provides:
1. No landowner shall allow running bamboo to grow without proper upkeep and appropriate containment measures, including barriers or trenching; and2. No landowner shall allow running bamboo to spread from his property to any public right-of-way or adjoining property not owned by the landowner.
4
![Page 5: Running Bamboo - Fairfax County, Virginia...running bamboo, defined in Virginia Code § 15.2-901.1 •Virginia Code § 15.2-901.1 defines “running bamboo” as “any bamboo that](https://reader034.fdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022050111/5f486281f73ac83276634366/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
Enabling Legislation Pros/Cons
Pros Cons
5
• Gives the authority to control running bamboo
• Addresses residents’ complaints
• Supports the initiative to remove invasives from the community
• Complicated and costly enforcement
• Impacts to both complainant and homeowner
• Penalty structure may not compel compliance
• Penalty structure within the statute may not be significant enough to support the inspection and enforcement process
• Methods of control can lead to unintended damage to trees
• Containment vs eradication
![Page 6: Running Bamboo - Fairfax County, Virginia...running bamboo, defined in Virginia Code § 15.2-901.1 •Virginia Code § 15.2-901.1 defines “running bamboo” as “any bamboo that](https://reader034.fdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022050111/5f486281f73ac83276634366/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
Examples
6
![Page 7: Running Bamboo - Fairfax County, Virginia...running bamboo, defined in Virginia Code § 15.2-901.1 •Virginia Code § 15.2-901.1 defines “running bamboo” as “any bamboo that](https://reader034.fdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022050111/5f486281f73ac83276634366/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
Recommendation
7
• Defer adopting a Running Bamboo Ordinance at this time but develop an educational approach to the issue:
• Develop Running Bamboo educational materials working with internal and external stakeholders; evaluate feedback
• Integrate work with the Commonwealth’s initiatives, and align with the existing Chesapeake Bay Ordinance as appropriate, including adding running bamboo to the list of noxious weeds