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PA Bulletin, Doc. No. 99-1127

NOTICES

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Plant Pest Act; Determination of Serious Plant Pest Situation

[29 Pa.B. 3741]

Background

   Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) is a large plant that, although not native to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, threatens to establish itself in this Commonwealth to the detriment of native plant species. The plant is native to Eurasia, but has made its way to North America. It is currently known to be present in Maine, New York and Pennsylvania.

   Giant Hogweed is easily identifiable. Mature plants reach a height of between 8 and 14 feet. Although the plant is found most commonly in rich, moist soils along roadsides, stream banks and waste ground, its majestic appearance has contributed to the increasing popularity of the plant among gardeners as a landscaping plant.

   Giant Hogweed is a plant pest for purposes of the Plant Pest Act (act of December 16, 1992, P. L. 1228, No. 162)(3 P. S. §§ 258.1--258.27). If it is allowed to spread unchecked, Giant Hogweed will crowd-out native plant species and the animal species dependent upon those native plants. Even Giant Hogweed plants that are used in residential landscaping must be considered plant pests, since seeds from these plants can spread over large areas.

   Section 19 of the Plant Pest Act (3 P. S. § 258.19) authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to issue a determination that a serious plant pest situation exists in any portion of this Commonwealth. This determination is issued under that authority.

Determination

   The presence of Giant Hogweed in this Commonwealth has created a serious plant pest situation for purposes of section 19 of the Plant Pest Act. The presence of this non-native species threatens the native species with which it competes.

   Under section 19 of the Plant Pest Act, the Department of Agriculture (Department) shall, through its Bureau of Plant Industry, eradicate Giant Hogweed plants and seeds wherever they are present in this Commonwealth. To this end, the Department shall work with owners of lands upon which Giant Hogweed plants exist to educate them as to the threat posed by these plants and encourage these landowners to either destroy the plants themselves or allow Department field personnel to destroy them.

   If an owner of lands upon which Giant Hogweed plants are present does not elect to voluntarily destroy the plants or allow Department field personnel to destroy the plants, the Department shall (in accordance with section 19 of the Plant Pest Act) provide the landowner written notice of its intention to enter upon the landowner's property to destroy the Giant Hogweed plants. Following this written notice, ''Any agent of the Department is authorized to enter the premises during reasonable hours to carry out the eradication or control measures,'' as per section 19 of the Plant Pest Act.

SAMUEL E. HAYES, Jr.,   
Secretary

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 99-1127. Filed for public inspection July 16, 1999, 9:00 a.m.]


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