Earlier in 2023, the Borough of Hatboro partnered with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) to begin lawn to meadow and lawn to forestry projects in multiple areas of the Borough. Prior to this partnership, Borough Council carefully reviewed each possible project and discussed qualifying areas during public meetings and through a virtual public workshop held on Facebook. Through this program, DCNR converts presently maintained lawn to actively managed upland forest or perennial native meadow which helps to provide clean water and wildlife habitats as well as increases biodiversity in the affected areas. The first area selected for meadow conversion by DCNR is the grassy area of 147 Spring Avenue at the Pennypack Property (also known as the 7 buildable lots). A photo of this area can be found attached to this letter for reference.
In accordance with the conversion from lawn to managed meadow, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is partnering with LandStudies, Inc. to apply an herbicide to the affected area. This herbicide will eliminate the existing grass in the area in order to prepare the land for the planting of the managed meadow. The herbicide to be used in this area is known as Aqua Neat which uses the primary active ingredient of Glyphosate, N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine, in the form of its isopropylamine salt. This herbicide is very low in toxicity and is an aquatic-rated herbicide and has been tested for safety on organisms including fish, macroinvertebrates, birds, honeybees, etc.) This herbicide will be diluted to 2%-5% prior to spraying in the area and will be sprayed by a fully licensed PA Pesticide (Herbicide) Applicator.
The Borough of Hatboro expects this spraying to take place within the next 1-2 weeks and is expected to take approximately 1 hour to complete. Once the Borough has an exact date of the spraying, we will provide this information to residents in the area.
The Borough of Hatboro and DCNR referenced the PA Hypersensitivity Registry and no residents listed on the registry reside within 500 feet of this site; however, out of an abundance of caution, the Borough of Hatboro is notifying all residents in the area of this spraying.
Following the application of Aqua Neat, the sprayed area will not be accessible by the public for a minimum of 4 hours. This timeframe is the agricultural worker standard for the herbicide. Following spraying, residents will notice blue dye on the affected area which helps LandStudies identify which areas were sprayed. Please note, the dye in the grass will fade after a few days; however, the blue dye does not pose harm to animals or humans after the 4 hour timeframe has concluded. We ask that residents refrain from entering the fenced off area until the snow fencing is removed and this area will be posted “Keep Out” as a reminder.
A copy of the fact sheet for Aqua Neat can be found attached to this letter for your reference. LandStudies and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources have assured the Borough of Hatboro that their licensed professionals will be extremely conscious of the area including neighboring properties, weather, and drift to prevent damage to any area outside of the treatment area.
Residents that have any questions or concerns are encouraged to call Borough Hall at 215-443-9100.
