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Nantucket Islands Land Bank wins approval to treat escaping bamboo at Madaket site with monitoring and herbicide conditions
Summary
The commission approved an invasive-species management permit for the Nantucket Islands Land Bank at 50–56 Madaket Road that authorizes mechanical cutting, mowing and licensed herbicide use, requires photo monitoring and annual reports, and grants an invasive-species waiver.
The Nantucket Conservation Commission voted unanimously Sept. 4 to approve an invasive-species management plan submitted by the Nantucket Islands Land Bank for four parcels at 50–56 Madaket Road, authorizing mechanical cutting, mowing and limited, labeled herbicide use to control bamboo and Japanese knotweed that are spreading from a contained stand.
Liz Phelps, representing the Land Bank, described the site as four adjoining parcels with a central stand of bamboo contained by a rhizome barrier and smaller clusters escaping into a meadow to the south. She said the majority of the proposed treatments would be within buffer areas and that “there is approximately 500 square feet that is within the resource area.” Phelps said the Land Bank planned a phased approach: "if we get approved doing 1 treatment this fall followed up by another treatment a couple of weeks later and then mowing," followed by multi‑season management as needed.
Commissioners added conditions common to invasive‑management permits: herbicide use limited to label instructions (the order lists glyphosate or imazapyr/imazomox or equal), application only by a licensed applicator, annual written reports specifying quantities and herbicide types, pre‑ and post‑treatment photographic monitoring, provisions for disposal of invasive material offsite, and a requirement to file an amendment if native species cover falls below 50% within 2 years and 6 months. The commission applied its invasive‑species waiver under its regulations, finding the proposed work would benefit resource‑area functioning without adverse impacts. The commission closed the public hearing and then issued the order by unanimous roll‑call vote.
Project proponents said the bamboo is likely Golden Grove bamboo and stressed the urgency of treating escaping patches while they remain small. The commission required that monitoring reports be submitted annually until a certificate of compliance is issued or the order expires.
The permit authorizes site work in wetland buffer areas and a small amount of treatment inside the resource area, and it ties further work to monitoring results and potential planting if native cover does not recover.
