GREENSBORO, A debate over how to manage invasive knotweed is dividing this Orleans County town, pitting concerns about chemical herbicides against the difficulty of manual removal.
The Greensboro Conservation Commission received $3,000 at Town Meeting in March for a pilot project to test glyphosate at Highland Lodge, after discussions that highlighted differing views on safety and effectiveness.
Glyphosate, the active ingredient in products like Roundup, is classified by the Environmental Protection Agency as unlikely to cause cancer in humans, but the International Agency for Research on Cancer calls it “probably carcinogenic.” Critics worry about impacts on pollinators and other nontarget organisms.
“I would categorize it as disgracefully understudied when you consider the amount of these chemicals that’s being applied on our landscape,” said Mike Tiernan, co-founder of Weybridge-based Bee The Change and an emergency room physician at Porter Hospital.
Will Marlier, a watershed program specialist and commission member, said mechanical removal is preferable where volunteer capacity exists but acknowledged that sustained effort over many years is rare. “Sometimes herbicide is necessary where mechanical options aren’t really on the table,” he said. “It should be limited, used cautiously, follow state regulations, and be done ideally by a licensed applicator.”
Smith’s Grocery in Greensboro Bend was considered an initial pilot site but declined chemical treatment after customer concerns, opting instead for hand-pulling.
Lars Lund, a protection forester with Vermont’s Agency of Natural Resources, said proper timing and careful application can minimize risks to bees. The commission plans outreach events, including an expert panel and collaboration with Pollinator Friendly Greensboro for manual removal.
NEK will be looking into how Vermont’s pesticide regulations apply to municipal conservation projects and whether the state tracks herbicide use on public lands.
Originally reported by Hardwick Gazette.
Photo: Mark Stebnicki via Pexels. Photo is illustrative and not from the scene.
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