Public Hearing Notice  Notice of Public Hearing - Massachusetts Prohibited Plant List

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Notice is hereby given that the Department of Agricultural Resources, under its authority pursuant to M.G.L. c. 128, §27 which requires the Commissioner of MDAR to hold a public hearing when prohibiting the delivery within the commonwealth nursery stock, fruits, plants, and parts thereof from outside the commonwealth.  The purpose of this hearing is to restrict the entry of the following plants:

• Japanese Black Pine (Pinus thunbergii)
• Scotch Broom (Cytisus scoparius)
• Weeping Lovegrass (Eragrostis curvula)

Please note that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this hearing will be held virtually via Zoom.  To join the hearing, please use either the link or the call-in telephone number below:

Join Zoom Meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85042043138?pwd=WlRyQUg1TEk3OGR6NENSdXhqMXdPdz09

                Meeting ID: 850 4204 3138

                Passcode: mx1sFn

Dial by your location

•         (312) 626-6799 US (Chicago)
•         (646) 558-8656 US (New York)
•         (301) 715-8592 US (Washington DC)
•         (346) 248-7799 US (Houston)
•         (669) 900-9128 US (San Jose)
•         (253) 215-8782 US (Tacoma)

Meeting ID: 850 4204 3138 - Passcode: 414271 - Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kdeAHgeQhT

Testimony may be presented orally at the virtual hearing or in writing. Written comments will be accepted until 5:00 P.M. on Friday, July 15, 2022. Written testimony must be submitted by e-mail to taryn.lascola@mass.gov or by mail to Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, 225 Turnpike Road, Southborough MA 01772 Attn: Taryn LaScola-Miner.       

A summary of the species proposed to be placed on the Massachusetts Prohibited Plant list can be found here, or may be obtained by calling Taryn LaScola-Miner at 617-626-1776. For special accommodations for this event or to obtain this information in an alternative format, you may contact ADA coordinator, Melixza G. Esenyie, Melixza.Esenyie2@mass.gov, 617-626-1282.