Shore Town May Use Goats To Remove Poison Ivy
SEASIDE PARK, N.J.(CBS) - A New Jersey shore town may use goats to do some landscaping.
Officials in Seaside Park, N.J. are considering using goats from Maryland to remove a patch of poison ivy.
The town may opt to use these natural weed eaters over burning the plant or using chemicals because the patch overlooks Barnegat Bay.
Town officials estimate it would cost between $15,000 and $20,000 to use 15 to 18 goats and two handlers to watch over them.
Even then, Dawn Yurkiewicz of Stratford Farm in Whiteford, Md. says it may take the entire herd up to three weeks to eat all the poison ivy.
Though this may be more environmentally friendly than using chemicals, New Jersey environmental officials have concerns that the goats may also eat rare plants along the way.
