Township officials approve spraying for gypsy moths

PLUMSTED - Department of Agriculture inspectors have completed the gypsy moth survey in Plumsted's wooded areas, as requested by the Township Committee.

According to Mayor Ron Dancer, the survey results show that outbreaks of the leaf eating gypsy moths are expected in the spring. Approximately 1,600 acres of woodland in Plumsted qualify for the gypsy moth aerial suppression program.

The committee has notified the State Department of Agriculture of its commitment to participate for the third consecutive year in the department's 2008 aerial spray program, well in advance of the Dec. 14 deadline set by the state, Dancer said.

Consistent with the past two years, the committee will appropriate funding in 2008 from the voter approved Recreation, Historic, Farmland, Open Space and Natural Lands Trust Fund to once again spray for gypsy moths. The ballot question in Plumsted that was approved by voters set forth that the fund will be used for not only the "maintenance, development and preservation" of recreation, historic and farmlands, but the "maintenance" of natural lands and open space as well.

According to Dancer, last year more than $50,000 of the $219,000 in total revenues to the trust fund from the voter approved 2 cents on the tax rate was appropriated for the gypsy moth spray program.

Additionally, portions of the "maintenance and development" funding from the trust fund will provide for new recreation playground equipment next year; enhanced security patrols for Plumsted's parks; increased law enforcement patrols of the municipality's preserved woodlands to reduce the criminal activities of illegal dumping, drug use and underage drinking; as well as, improvements to the historic museum, etc., Dancer said.

A majority of the woodland affected by the gypsy moth that may be sprayed in the spring is in the area of Route 539 and Route 528 intersections and continuing east to Hawkin Road. The proposed spray areas will not be finalized until after a meeting with Department of Agriculture officials in March, at which time a proposed spray area map will be available for public review, the mayor said.

Generally, the spraying kills about 65 percent of the gypsy moth population. The goal of the spraying is suppression, not eradication, in order to reduce the gypsy moth population so that natural predators can control the infestation.

The gypsy moth population flourished after dry weather stunted the growth of a natural occurring fungus that kills the eggs. Gypsy moth caterpillars defoliated approximately 125,000 acres around the state last year. Two or three years of gypsy moth infestation can cause the trees to die as a result of completely stripping the trees of their green leaves, according to Dancer. Prior to the spring spraying for gypsy moths, public notices will appear in local newspapers, as well as, public meetings and mailing notices to property owners in the areas to be sprayed.