TUPPER LAKE – This town’s government has agreed on a partnership with an award-winning invasive plant program to stop the spread of Japanese knotweed here.

Town Councilman John Quinn tabled the topic at the town board’s last meeting, citing concerns of the knotweed growth along town roads and private properties. He warned that the plant, which has ornamental white flowers and bamboo-like stalks, has an aggressive tendency to crowd out native plant species.

His proposed solution was the Regional Inlet Invasive Plant Program, which has volunteered community-based eradication of knotweed since 2008 and was recently awarded the Adirondack Conservation Hero award from the Adirondack Chapter of The Nature Conservancy. The group treated approximately 250 sites across New York state in 2015.

After discussion, the board motioned to approve a donation to the RIIPP not to exceed $3,000 to balance the cost of herbicide and labor in removing knotweed.

“I’ve noticed for some time on local roads, and in particular Lake Simon Road, knotweed growth is really bad,” Quinn said. He suggested starting with eradication on Lake Simon Road to test the effectiveness of knotweed treatment, which isn’t easy or quick.

“Unfortunately with knotweed, it’s pretty tough stuff,” Quinn said. “It would probably take three, maybe four treatments – three to four years – to completely get rid of it, but if we don’t start now, we’re going to be up to our ears in knotweed.”

Digging the plants up from the ground can increase spreading, and cutting them slows growth but makes complete treatment more difficult in the future, according to RIIPP’s website. RIIPP volunteers eradicate the plant by injecting herbicides into every stem.

Councilman Michael Dechene said one of his employees has struggled with knotweed on her property for years. The employee contacted RIIPP, and after a $100 donation, the group is still trying to control the species on her land.

“They don’t know if they’ll even be able to take care of it on a single property,” Dechene said. “It’s that invasive.”

The eradication effort is also complicated by private and public land zones. Quinn said the town has the authority to treat knotweed along town roads, but it will need a release form to treat patches that extend onto private land.

A RIIPP press release describes knotweed as growing over 10 feet tall with heart-shaped leaves, white flowers that bloom in August and “an extensive network of underground roots.”

The local volunteer who would assist with the town’s project is Scott Chartier, who began volunteering with RIIPP in 2012. RIIPP does individual eradication for concerned property owners as well. It can be reached at 518-548-3991.