[MAIPC] We need your help for invasives legislation!

Thu Dec 28 06:35:34 PST 2023

We need your help for invasives legislation!

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 <https://vnps.groups.io/g/potowmack/topic/103312994> Maryam Dadkhah

Dec 21   #6792 <https://vnps.groups.io/g/potowmack/message/6792>    

Hi, everyone,

Please prepare the way for upcoming legislation to combat the plague of invasive plants and to support native plants. Contact your state delegate and senator right now to let them know what a huge problem the invasives are.  It is critical that we reach as many legislators as possible before the General Assembly meets on January 10! So far we have support from Delegates Bulova, Krizek, Seibold, Helmer, and Tran, and from Senator Salim. We would like to get the other 135 on board as soon as possible. :)

The proposed bills have not been finalized but will include a measure to reduce the influx of invasive plants from the trade,  another to help VDOT address invasives on their property, and another to improve the rules around volunteers’ use of herbicides. There is also legislation in the works to address the problem of HOA restrictions on the use of native plants. But the timing is such that we can’t delay getting everyone out to educate their delegates and senators so they are primed to support the bills when they see them. Once we have all the details, we’ll let you know so you can forward them to your legislators.

Don’t worry about the holidays - they are busily preparing for the session right now.

Here are some techniques and talking points. You don’t need to be an expert, you just need to show them how much this is affecting you and your community.

*	Meet in person or virtually with both your senator and your delegate. Better yet, invite them for a photo op with them clipping invasive vines or removing other invasive plants (then talk their ears off). Bring other people with you who can attest to the problem. I know most people are shy about setting up appointments, but if you can tackle a Japanese Barberry, I’m quite sure you can do this!
*	Thank them for the meeting and anything else praiseworthy and ask them how much time you have.
*	Explain the problem with invasive plants, emphasizing the economic burdens they impose.

*	Cost of removal – millions spent by state, federal and local governments as well as private landowners. Thousands of dollars per acre in some cases.
*	Threat to vineyards by Tree-of-Heaven/Spotted Lantern Fly
*	Threat to Virginia cattle farmers by Cenchrus purpurascens (formerly Pennisetum alopecuroides, a type of Fountain Grass) that ruins their pastures. <https://www.farmprogress.com/pasture/chinese-fountain-grass-invades-pasture>   <https://www.farmprogress.com/pasture/chinese-fountain-grass-invades-pasture> https://www.farmprogress.com/pasture/chinese-fountain-grass-invades-pasture Its cousin Pennisetum setaceum added fuel to the fire in Maui. Both are sold as ornamental grasses in the trade.
*	Potential threat to tourism industry as trees die and landscapes are ruined
*	Damage to power lines from invasive vines such as Kudzu.
*	And of course mention that they also destroy the native plants that are an essential part of our ecosystem, and that invasive vines are killing our trees by the hundreds of thousands.

*	Ask them to please support any bills that come up this session – details to follow.

Try to recruit people from other legislative districts to do the same.

So we can coordinate what needs to be a massive effort by everyone, please let me, Maryam Dadkhah know who you are visiting and what they had to say.  <mailto:maryamdad at ...> maryamdad at ...

Regards, 

Maryam Dadkhah

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 <https://vnps.groups.io/g/potowmack/topic/103312994> Jessie Strother

Dec 27   #6794 <https://vnps.groups.io/g/potowmack/message/6794>    

Remember.....industry will complain about this.  So, among other arguments, mention that there are loads of alternative non-invasive plants to use!  The public will buy these !

fyi  Jessie Strother

On Thursday, December 21, 2023 at 10:40:23 PM EST, Maryam Dadkhah via groups.io <maryamdad at ...> wrote: