People usually plant bamboo as a privacy screen, but it can quickly turn into an invasive nightmare for everyone else. Cities around New Jersey are passing regulations that allow the removal of bamboo if it gets out of hand.
Kristie Cattafi writes the Lodi has joined another dozen other towns in New Jersey struggling to deal with bamboo. In Lodi, "the borough attorney is reviewing a sample ordinance" based on the example of regulations already implemented around the state.
For instance in Old Tappan, bamboo is examined by a code enforcement officer. "If the bamboo has spread to any public way or any private property, fines will be issued ranging from $25 to $100 a day," according to Cattafi. "If the property owner does not address the issue, the borough has the authority to remove the bamboo."
State legislators are also looking for ways to address the proliferation of bamboo in towns around the state. One bill regulating bamboo was withdrawn in May, but there's another bill stuck in the State Assembly.
Read the full story: Lodi may soon join towns with bamboo regulations
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