Sound Off: Ban on Bamboo in Long Beach

The Long Beach City Council on Tuesday will vote on a resolution to prohibit the planting, growth and maintenance of bamboo. Residents who violate this ordinance will face a maximum fine of up to $250 per day 10 days after the city serves them with a notice to correct the offense.  

Last month Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed a bill into law making it illegal to sell, transport and possess nonnative plants in the state that the Department of Environmental Conservation will start to enforce in January. Recently, the Town of Hempstead and Smithtown banned bamboo, and the Town of Oyster Bay proposes to outlaw the plant.

Among the reasons cited for this ban is that nonnative plants such as bamboo spread, working underground to take over gardens and invade and damage neighboring properties. But some people ask: Is this cause for a government ban on a plant? Isn’t the grower of any plant, including a tree, liable if it grows on and damages another individual’s property? What about the rights of people to grow plants and who would otherwise maintain them, ensuring that they don’t damage neighboring properties? Or do you believe government should have the power to outlaw plants before any specific property damage is done? Let us know in the comments.