Land Bank Commission votes to install rhizome barrier, retain bamboo screening at Field of Dreams parcels

The Nantucket County Land Bank Commission voted to install a rhizome barrier to restrain bamboo growth at the Field of Dreams parcels and to defer full excavation and herbicide removal.

Staff presented the parcel map and explained that a continuous bamboo stand runs along the eastern property line on two adjacent parcels the Land Bank and the Wisconsin Trust Co. acquired. Staff said full removal and replanting with native screening had been quoted at about $80,000 total, which would likely be split between the two owning bodies. Commissioners discussed alternatives, including installing a buried rhizome barrier to prevent the bamboo from spreading while retaining its screening function.

"I'm just totally against ripping out all this bamboo," Commissioner Mark said during discussion, adding that he preferred leaving the bamboo for screening and using a barrier to control spread. Another commissioner noted the barrier used previously at a different property had been an underground rubber membrane buried roughly 3 feet deep and that the approach had limited spread.

A motion "to put in a rhizome barrier initially and give that a number of years to see if that works before going to the expense and recognize all of bamboo" was moved and seconded. The commission approved the motion by voice/roll call. The transcript records members voting "Aye," with Alan Reinhart and others recorded in the roll call.

Staff said the commission will discuss longer-term vision for the Field of Dreams parcels at the first November meeting and will consider management and maintenance objectives before any further removal decisions.