[Image:Japanese barberry is taking over areas of Pennsylvania’s forests and woodlands.]

 

UPDATE: At the November 10, 2021, Board of Supervisors meeting, the members unanimously approved enactment of the amended ordinance.

 

At the October 27, 2021, Newtown Board of Supervisors (BOS) public meeting, there was a lively debate regarding the proposed amendment to the township's Vegetation (i.e., "Weed") Ordinance.

 

The amendment was recommended to the BOS the SALDO Ad Hoc Group, which included members of the Newtown Township Environmental Advisory Council (EAC), Planning Commission, and Parks and Recreation Board.

 

“Of special note, in Appendix A, the list of Noxious Weeds, is the inclusion of Japanese Barberry as a prohibited plant,” said the EAC. The EAC considers the addition of Japanese Barberry to be a significant addition because of its association with Lyme disease vectors.

 

For more details including video of comments, read Newtown Township Moves Forward to Ban "Noxious Weeds" in the Patch.