2 pm, Department of Agriculture, Room G8-A 165 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, CT
Council members present: William Hyatt, Paul Larson, Richard McAvoy, Tom McGowan, Darryl Newman, Jeffrey Ward, Katherine Winslow
Others present: Ellen Bender, Donna Ellis, Nicole Gabelman, Caryn Rickel
1. McAvoy called the meeting to order at 2:11 pm.
2. Approval of Meeting Minutes
The meeting minutes from February 10 were reviewed. A couple of grammatical corrections were offered and accepted. McAvoy moved (second: Hyatt) to approve the minutes as amended. Larson abstained as he was not present at the previous meeting. The motion carried.
3. Coordinator Update
a. Connecticut Invasive Plant Working Group (CIPWG) Website
Gabelman reported that the CIPWG website now links every plant that is listed as invasive or potentially invasive to additional resources including fact sheets, photos from Invasive.org, and the New England Wild Flower Society’s plant information pages (GoBotany.newenglandwild.org). The plants listed on the Early Detection List are also linked to additional resources and slides to help with identification were posted. The pages for bamboo information and a PDF version of the CIPWG photo notebook were updated. Future efforts will focus on revisions to the control page and additional resources for alternatives.
b. Events
Gabelman gave a presentation to the Wilton Conservation Commission focusing on the role of homeowners and invasive plants; the CIPWG invasive plant display was exhibited (March 25, Wilton, CT). Gabelman also reported that the display was also exhibited and staffed at the following events: Milford Energy and Environmental Fair (March 28, Milford, CT), North Haven Earth Day (April 11, North Haven, CT), Hamden Earth Day (April 18, Hamden, CT), Fairfield Earth Day (April 25, Fairfield, CT), Ballard Greenhouse Plant Sale (May 8, Bethel, CT), Connecticut Association of Street & Highway Officials (CASHO) Equipment Show (May 14, Wallingford, CT), Flander’s Farm Day (May 16, Woodbury, CT), Milford Earth Day (May 17, Milford, CT), Master Gardener’s Plant Sale (May 17, Bethel, CT).
c. DEEP Policy Revision
Gabelman presented an updated policy draft created by incorporating Senack’s proposed revisions and describing the function of the Council in coordination with state agencies. Hyatt will offer edits and then the policy will be re-distributed to Council members for approval.
4. Discussion of Disposal Guides
Ellis led a discussion about the “Guidelines for Disposal of Terrestrial Invasive Plants” and the “Guidelines for Disposal of Aquatic Invasive Plants” publications produced by UConn and the DEEP in 2014. The limitation of these resources and the issue of continued spread through the movement of fill and soil were communicated. It was suggested that the Coordinator contact groups involved in the disposal of invasive plants to gather more information. The following organizations were recommended: CT DOT, CASHO, CT Chapter American Public Works, Town Departments of Public Works, and invasive plant control professionals.
5. Report on Regulations and Action Plans in Surrounding States
Gabelman reported her findings on the invasive plant regulations and plans from the other New England states, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Regulations concerning cultivars were highlighted and the lack of cultivar regulations in Connecticut was discussed. The need to address this issue in the future was acknowledged and possible ways to do so were considered.
6. Discussion of Plant Species
a. Castor – aralia (Kalopanax septemlobus)
Gabelman conveyed information on the invasive potential of K. septemlobus. Pictures from a Middlebury Land Trust property where plants had escaped cultivation were shared with the group. The invasive status of this species in surrounding states was also discussed. Several other records of this species in the state were examined. Hyatt moved (second: Ward) to add this species to the Research List in order to gather more information. The motion carried.
b. Bamboo (Phyllostachys spp.)
i. Report on Seymour Site
1. Gabelman shared pictures from her and Ellis’s May 6 visit to the newly reported bamboo site in Seymour (253 West Street). They reported that the bamboo was growing down a highly disturbed roadside embankment on both sides of where a culvert empties into a pond that connects two rivers (Little River and Naugatuck River). The culms were small and some of the bamboo had died Based on the GPS points, the bamboo was around 30’ across and 20’ wide.
2. Rickel gave a presentation on the Seymour bamboo site titled “Tenth Escape from Cultivation of Phyllostachys aureosulcata in Connecticut”. The possible means of dispersal to this location were Council members provided input about similar species and the criteria necessary for addition to the potentially invasive list.
ii. Summer Field Trip
The continued need to investigate the invasive potential of bamboo in Connecticut and the possibility of spread via waterways was addressed. Gabelman asked for input from the bamboo sub-committee about sites to prioritize for future visits and possible dates for a field trip in late summer.
c. Sale of Watercress (Nasturtium officinale)
A representative from the Hart Seed Co. contacted Gabelman about providing seed for watercress to a number of greenhouse growers who provide greens for the restaurant trade. The listing of watercress as a prohibited plant in CGS 22a-381 reads: (13) watercress (Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum), except for watercress sold for human consumption without its reproductive structure. Since seeds are considered reproductive structures, the legislation seems to ban the selling of watercress seeds even if it is for the purpose of growing it as a food item. Gabelman asked for the Council’s interpretation of this listing. The differences in the scientific names presented were pointed out and the discussion was tabled until the species could be determined.
7. Legislation
a. Proposed Coordinator Funding
The proposed funding for the coordinator position in the state budget was announced. Funding for the position would be included as a line item through the DEEP if the proposed budget passes. The logistics of transferring the position from UConn were discussed.
8. Old Business/New Business
a. Vice-chair Nomination
It was decided that no movement would be made regarding the nomination for vice-chair as Sutherland was not present for consultation.
9. Adjournment
McGowan motioned (second: McAvoy) to adjourn the meeting. The meeting ended at 4:14 pm.
The next meeting scheduled for 2 pm, September 8th, 2015, was cancelled. The next meeting will take place October 13, 2015, at the Department of Agriculture, 165 Capitol Avenue in Hartford, CT.