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Conservation Commission

Conservation and More

              by Bruce B. Beckley

Issue #139, May, 2003
Backyard Terrorists

For the moment the battle is won but hardly the war. The infiltration and resultant losses will resume. In fact, as I turn my back, Snap Cuts in hand, the emerging, merciless foreigners begin anew their campaign against my disposition and our otherwise managed backyard sanctuary.

The foes: bittersweet and burning bush. Both species produce fruit (fleshy outer covering over a seed) that is attractive to birds. However, the seeds pass through the bird’s digestive system unscathed and ready to go forth and multiply, crowding their way into an otherwise native environment. Growing many feet per season, the bittersweet vines encircle, entrap, choke off, weigh down and eventually destroy desirable native trees and shrubs. The burning bush seeds, also spread by birds, can sprout in shady areas of the woods where they proceed to keep native species from reproducing.

These terrorists and their allies, like barberry, need to be removed. As a first step, do yourself and the rest of nature a favor by not harboring any of these invasives. And by all means, do not be enticed to plant new stock regardless of your desires for fall color. There are many less damaging native species that provide both color, interest and food for birds.

On The Other Hand…

It is said somewhere in Ecclesiastes: There’s a time to cut (invasives) and a time to let stand (wetland buffers). We are fortunate that the current Planning Board members seek within the prescriptions of the zoning ordinance and the powers of persuasion to protect the town’s wetland and aquifer resources.

In an ongoing subdivision review the Planning Board, the ACC and the applicant have worked to understand each other’s requirements and goals. The end product will be a major development that is designed to satisfy the ordinance even though it is near a trout stream and wetlands over an important aquifer. Yes, we would prefer a decision that there be no subdivision, probably a legally indefensible ruling however. But it appears that many accomplishments have been achieved: shade for the trout stream, water quality monitoring, wellhead protection, buffer protection, elimination of invasives from the landscaping plan, and many more.

The owner has agreed to include in the condominium documents restrictions on use of lawn chemicals, herbicides, salt, buffer cutting and certain household chemicals. But who, who will read them? After the town agencies and the developer have taken honest steps to protect the natural world in and around a subdivision, who will be the long-term conscience and enforcer?

We are faced with two types of characters. The one who moves into the subdivision and is ignorant of the covenants and law that he has just bought in to and the one who willfully cuts, sprays and fertilizes his land and the run off from it. The effect on wild species and water resources is the same. The zoning officer is the official enforcer of the zoning ordinance and Planning Board rulings, in addition to all his other duties, but condominium boards and managers who will be closer to any problems on a day-to-day basis must assume responsibility for intelligent education and enforcement. When this approach fails, or outside of a condo setting, abutters should report violations or potential violations to the zoning office. For special wetlands, reports may also be filed with the state DES.

It comes down to being an environmentally sensible citizen, a person who thinks before acting. To cut or not to cut, that is the question.

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