County to Hold Public Meeting in Royal Palm
Beach on Removal of Exotic Invasive Plants

Officials with Palm Beach County Environmental Resources Management (ERM) will hold an informational meeting on Thursday, May 9, 2002, at 6:30 p.m. at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center. The public is invited and encouraged to attend. The purpose of this meeting is to explain and receive input on proposed revisions to the County's ordinance governing the elimination of invasive exotic plants.

On April 2, the Board of County Commissioners postponed adoption of the amendments for 90 days. The proposed changes will include a revised schedule for the removal of certain species.

What do these plants look like?
The nine prohibited invasive species include the Air Potato, Australian Pine, Brazilian Pepper, Carrotwood, Earleaf Acacia, Kudzu, Old-world Climbing Fern (lygodium), Melaleuca and the Queensland Umbrella Tree (schefflera). To see photos of these plants select the name of each.

"These nonnative trees, shrubs and vines are extremely detrimental to Florida's sensitive ecosystems," said ERM Director Richard Walesky. "They grow and spread very quickly, soak up our limited water supplies, and absorb available nutrients from the soil which restricts the growth of more desirable native species."

A full-color brochure titled "Prohibited Plant Species - What You Need to Know and Do" has been prepared by ERM. Free copies will be available at the May 9 meeting. For more information, please call 233-2400.