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Weed Laws Article on Landscaping (John Marshall Law Review) Page 16 of 27 <br />NATIVE <br />PLANTINGS <br />WILDLIFE <br />PLANTINGS <br />EROSION <br />CONTROL <br />SOIL FERTILITY <br />BUILDING <br />GOVERNMENTAL <br />PROGRAMS <br />EDUCATIONAL <br />PROGRAMS <br />CULTIVATION <br />BIOLOGICAL <br />CONTROL <br />PARKS AND <br />OPEN SPACE <br />WOODED AREAS <br />- the use of native plant species for aesthetic and /or wildlife <br />reasons; <br />- the use of native and /or introduced plant species to attract and <br />aid wildlife; <br />- to offset and control any soil loss problems both occurring or <br />predicted; <br />the enrichment and eventual stabilization of soil fertility <br />through the use of various plant species; <br />- any federal, state or local pro -grams which require the <br />unimpaired growth of plants during a majority or all of the <br />growing season; <br />- any areas designated for educational studies; <br />- any plant species or group of plant species native or <br />introduced and grown for consumption, pleasure or business <br />reasons; <br />- the planting of a particular plant species or group of species <br />which will effectively out compete and replace a noxious or <br />troublesome weed species without additional soil disturbance <br />of the site; <br />- any and all public parks and open space lands whether under <br />the jurisdiction of federal, state, or local agencies including <br />private conservation /preservation organizations; and <br />- all areas that are predominately wooded. <br />Such modified weed laws expressly protect natural landscapes. They are easy to <br />understand and adequately balance the interests of natural landscapers and <br />neighbors. Additionally, exceptions can be added or deleted from this list to tailor <br />the weed ordinance to the needs of the village and the bioregion in which the <br />village is located. <br />3. Promotional Natural Landscape Laws <br />The final type of new local weed law not only allows for, but promotes the Land <br />Ethic by encouraging natural landscaping. Villages which have chosen this route <br />generally have no prohibitory weed laws. They have few laws coupled with <br />proactive measures and policies which encourage the use of native plants and <br />natural landscapes.125 <br />Long Grove, Illinois, is a good example of a community that embodies this <br />policy.126 Long Grove has no law regulating vegetation height. The village requires <br />developers to include scenic easements, at least one hundred feet deep and planted <br />with native plants, wildflowers and grasses between the homes and major streets, in <br />their subdivisions. Large portions of the town are designated natural areas as <br />determined by a scientific ecological survey. Long Grove employs a naturalist to <br />advise developers and homeowners on how to cultivate and maintain natural <br />landscapes. Long Grove sells native plants and seed mixes to residents and has a <br />committee that reviews prairie restoration projects within the village. The median <br />home price in this naturally landscaped village is $383,000.127 <br />http: / /www.epa.gov /glnpo /greenacres /weedlaws /JMLR.html 2/22/01 <br />