Islip Notebook: Town Looks To Limit Bamboo Growth

The Islip Town Board is considering legislation that would impose limits on the use of bamboo on public and private property throughout the township.

According to a first draft of the proposed law, Islip officials have found that the rapid growth and spread of many species of bamboo to be a threat to the Town’s natural ecosystem. Officials said the intent of the proposed ordinance is to prevent and police the unwanted encroachment of bamboo on to private and public property throughout Islip.

The Town’s initial draft calls for prohibiting the planting of bamboo within 10 feet of a property line, street or sidewalk. Penalties for violating the law could include fines ranging from $250 to $2,500 and up to 15 days in jail.

Following a public hearing this past Tuesday, the five member council voted unanimously to reserve decision and continue discussion and possibly tweak the bill before bringing in to the floor for a final vote, which could happen in the coming weeks. The next Town Board meeting is Oct. 25.

At the public hearing, a number of residents spoke in favor of the legislation while others argued against the bill.

Those in favor were homeowners who have seen bamboo from their neighbors yard expand into their yard, damaging fences, pools and driveways.

Allison Supulski of Oakdale said that since moving into her home in 2008, she and her husband spend time during the spring and fall each year clearing bamboo that grows from a neighbor’s property into their property.

“We have had sprinkler lines ripped up from the bamboo,” she said. “It’s not fair that we suffer any financial burden,” as a result of her neighbors bamboo growing into her yard.

West Islip resident Anthony Marro said bamboo has spread into his yard on Myrtle Ave. “like a cancer.”

“(Bamboo) has destroyed our shed, sprinkler system and is close to the foundation,” he said. “It has destroyed our quality of life. We spend all summer pulling out rhizomes.”

Residents who spoke against the bill argued that they have taken steps to control their bamboo’s growth. They claimed that in order to comply with the proposed Town law, they would be forced to spend thousands in landscaping costs to remove bamboo or install required barriers.

Robert DiOrio, a West Islip resident, asked town officials if there would be a grandfather clause in the bill for those who already have bamboo on their property.

“It would be a monumental financial burden to remove our bamboo,” he said. “I have received estimates that it would cost more than $10,000 and the professionals have no confidence that (the bamboo) would not come back.”