Conservation Commission member Susan Hemmeter told town officials that volunteers have starting cutting back knotweed in various locations throughout Warren and storing the invasive species in a specified dumpster.
NOT QUARANTINED
Hemmeter clarified that the knotweed does not need to be isolated from other garbage and is not quarantined, as confirmed by the Vermont Department of Agriculture.
In addition, Hemmeter said two other Class B noxious weeds have been identified in areas of Warren. Chervil has been found infesting areas along the side of East Warren Road, and goutweed has been identified in Warren Village.
Hemmeter said the invasive Chervil has been responsible for reducing property values on agricultural land throughout the state. Conservation Commission members discussed the knotweed infestation with member of the Warren Select Board at their May 26 meeting.
UPLAND GROWTH
The knotweed "control project" is focused mainly on the upland growth of the highly destructive species, according to Hemmeter, as opposed to the patches growing on both shores of the riparian area along the Mad River.
Hemmeter said the Conservation Commission is going after the knotweed because it is "very destructive and expensive to remove" and if allowed to progress runs the risk of taking over the prime agricultural soil.
If knotweed takes hold in prime agricultural soil, it is impossible to remove, she said, because of the root structure and propensity to spread quickly.
CUTTING AND REMOVAL
Conservation Commission members identified upland areas of concern throughout Warren, where they said they'd like to focus their cutting and removal effort. Hemmeter said there is an "infamous patch" of knotweed growing on West Hill Road, one off Fuller Hill Road, Lincoln Gap Road, some near the Kingsbury Farm, and a new patch on Plunkton Road.
Knotweed cuttings are currently being stored in a designated dumpster in town and in a burn pile at the Lareau Farm. For more information on the knotweed control project, or to join the volunteer effort, contact the Warren Conservation Commission at
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