[Adopted 10-8-2013 by Ord. No. 672]
A. 
It is the intent of the Board of Commissioners to encourage the propagation of native species while prohibiting the propagation and/or spread of invasive bamboo plants.
B. 
The Board further finds that running bamboo plants possess adverse characteristics harmful to the health, safety and welfare of Lower Moreland Township, including one or more of the following characteristics:
(1) 
It is not indigenous to the Township and state.
(2) 
It has the potential to become naturalized within the Township where the plant is not indigenous.
(3) 
The plant has the biological potential for rapid and widespread dispersion in the Township.
(4) 
The plant has the potential for existing in high numbers out of existing habitats.
(5) 
The plant is able to out-compete other species in the native plant community and has the potential for rapid growth, high seed production, dissemination or the establishment in native plant communities in the Township.
No person, firm, corporation, or entity owning or occupying any property within the Township of Lower Moreland shall plant or fail to control running bamboo species adjacent to the public rights-of-way, public roads or existing underground or aboveground utilities.
Upon written notice by the Township, the owner or occupant of any premises from which running bamboo has grown into the public right-of-way or public utility right-of-way shall have 30 days to remove the bamboo or provide a plan to contain the bamboo, subject to Township approval.
In the event that any owner or occupant of any premises is in violation of this article, the Township may, upon five days' notice, remove, trim or control the vegetation in order to eliminate the encroachment of running bamboo into the public right-of-way or public utility right-of-way. All costs of trimming, cutting or removal of such vegetation, together with a penalty of 10%, shall be collected by the Township of Lower Moreland upon the filing of a municipal lien against the property in question.
Any person, firm or corporation who shall violate any of the provisions of this article shall, upon conviction thereof, be sentenced to pay a fine not more than $600 and in default of payment, to undergo imprisonment for a term not to exceed 30 days. Each day that a violation of this article continues after notice shall constitute a separate offense.