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Landscape Industry Council of Hawaii Develops "Self-regulated Approach to Invasive Plants Statewide"04-03-09 | News

Landscape Industry Council of Hawaii Develops “Self-regulated Approach to Invasive Plants Statewide”

The Invasive Species Guidelines by the Landscape Industry Council of Hawaii (LICH) directs not to propagate order or specify new invasive plants on the LICH invasive plant list after May 1, 2009, and not to sell or install invasive plants after January 1, 2010. Hawaii DOT and the University of Hawaii have developed hydroseed protocols for Akiaki grass (Sporobolus virginicus) and Pili grass (Heteropogon contortus) to replace the nonnative grasses along Hawaii’s low-lying coastal areas. The dominant grass in Hawaii prior to the invasion of nonnative grasses was probably Pili grass (pictured), says Christopher Dacus, RLA, Hawaii DOT.
Photo: Forest and Kim Starr

Our recent news item, “The Return of Native Grasses to Hawaii” www.landscapearchitect.com/research/article/11696 reported on Christopher Dacus, RLA, with Hawaii DOT and his work with the University of Hawai’i at Manoa plant specialists to select and plant native groundcovers along bare areas of the state roadways, as opposed to the low-cost, effective, and decidedly nonnative Bermudagrass.

Mr. Dacus now tells LASN, “(It) took three years, but Hawaii finally has a self-regulated approach to invasive plants statewide.”

Below is a document from the Landscape Industry Council of Hawaii (LICH) outlining its invasive species guidelines.

Landscape Industry Council Of Hawaii Invasive Species Guidelines

“As member organizations of the Landscape Industry Council of Hawaii, we have an environmental responsibility to support and facilitate the Landscape Industry Council of Hawaii invasive species policy as follows:

Landscape Industry Council of Hawaii Invasive Species Guidelines and Invasive Plant List become effective May 1, 2009.

Sell remaining plants but do not propagate order or specify new invasive plants on the LICH Invasive Plant List after May 1, 2009. Do not sell or install invasive plants after January 1, 2010.

Act responsibly in the propagation, design, planning, construction, management, and policy decisions affecting the health of Hawaii’s natural systems.

Invasive species should not be introduced where those species could contribute to the degradation of the environment. Long-term maintenance and management programs should be established to control or remove invasive species from land and water.

Take into consideration potential environmental impacts of selected plants beyond the area of your installation. Follow the LICH invasive plant list individual species usage guidelines.

Limit the impact caused by construction and maintenance by instituting best management practices including minimizing soil disturbance, thorough cleaning of offsite construction equipment, weed-free materials, and informational signage.

Obey all federal, state and county laws regarding plants.

Invasive plants on historic sites protected by law are exempt.

Before introducing new plant species to the state of Hawaii, submit species for screening by the Hawaii weed risk assessment. Varietals of invasive plants sometimes have different growth characteristics that may render it non invasive. Submit varietals for screening by the Hawaii weed risk assessment.

New additions to Hawaii weed risk assessment shall be reviewed annually in September by LICH member organizations. Landscape Industry Council of Hawaii executive committee shall review member organization recommendations and complete new additions for inclusion in the LICH invasive plant list by January 1.”