Jackson will use air attack on gypsy moth infestation
Township Council votes to be part of state program
BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer

JACKSON- Gypsy moths will be getting a mouthful of Bt in Jackson this spring.

Township Council members voted unanimously on Jan. 22 to participate in New Jersey's 2008 aerial spraying program that will use the insecticide Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) to combat an expected infestation of gypsy moths.

The vote ended weeks of public debate as to whether Jackson would take part in the state's spraying program or seek permission to use the pesticide Dimilin and conduct its own ground spraying effort.

The debate focused on the success rate of each option and the potential impact of the use of Dimilin.

Several speakers at the Jan. 22 meeting presented information and options to municipal officials and residents.

Dan Burke, the township's gypsy moth coordinator and liaison to the state gypsy moth program, said, "In 2005 the state did a survey of the township and it was recommended that Jackson spray two areas, a total of 170 acres (100 acres and 70 acres) with Bt at a cost of $4,760 or $28 per acre."

Jackson participated in the 2005 state spraying program.

In 2006 it was recommended that 5,859 acres in Jackson be sprayed at a cost of $39.44 per acre, with a total cost of $231,078.

Jackson participated in the 2006 state spraying program.

In 2007 the state proposed to spray slightly more than 13,000 acres (approximately 7,000 acres with two sprayings on some areas) at a cost of $39.40 per acre, or about $519,000 for two applications

of Bt.

"The reason for the double spray was the

density of the egg

masses," Burke explained.

"When the egg

masses reach a certain

threshold the state suggests

a double spraying."

Jackson officials decided

not to participate in the 2007 state spraying program. Portions of the township later came under siege from gypsy moths and residents complained bitterly about damage that was done to their property by the ravenous insects.

For 2008 the state suggested spraying 12,983 acres twice (25,643 acres) at a cost of $39.40 per acre, or slightly more than $1million. That is the figuremunicipal officials wrestled with for weeks before deciding to move forward with the aerial spraying.

Burke said Bt provides a certain level of gypsy moth suppression and he said it was suggested that spraying Bt in combination with Dimilin was another possibility. Using Dimilin would require less Bt and would save Jackson about $200,000, he said.

During a presentation by Joseph W. Zoltowski, chief, New Jersey Department of Agriculture Bureau of Plant Pest and Disease Control, he described the differences between several species of caterpillars which are mistaken for gypsy moths, and gypsy moths and the damage (defoliation) they do to specific species of trees, to people (those who suffer from asthma) and the environment (walkways and swimming pools).

Zoltowski described the differences between Bt and Dimilin and said a combination of Dimilin and Bt would be most effective. He suggested that people and pets remain indoors when any spraying is done.

"I strongly suggest you have minivans waiting for the kids when the school bus comes," he said. "We all have to work together to minimize any impact."

It was noted that Bt is 65 percent effective and Dimilin is 80 to 90 percent effective in combating the gypsy moths.

Councilman Angelo Stallone said Jackson could spend $1 million and still have a problem with the insects.

"When towns don't participate (in the spraying program for) one year, the next year they will be treating twice or three times as many (gypsy moths)," Zoltowski said. "It's a lot of money and there's no way out."

On hand to respond to questions from Jackson officials and residents were representatives of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Chief New Jersey Forest Service Edward A. Lempicki, Assistant Commissioner Wolfgang Skacel, Administrator Marcedius T. Jameson, Pesticide Control Program toxicologist Roy W. Meyer and Chief of the Bureau of Pesticide Compliance John Orrok.

Skacel said the DEP approves of the use of Bt.

At one point Zoltowski was asked by resident Michael Kafton, who is a candidate for a seat on the Township Council, if the state Department of Agriculture made an application to the DEP last year for permission to conduct aerial spraying with Dimilin.

Zoltowski said the Department of Agriculture's application for a waiver to use Dimilin was denied by the DEP.

"[Dimilin] is a product that can be harmful to humans as well as to animals and that's why the DEP said no aerial spraying [of Dimilin]," Kafton said. "[Now] it's costing $1 million because you didn't spray. You're using another chemical because you didn't spray."

Resident Peter Leighton asked if state land that is in Jackson, such as the Colliers Mills Wildlife Management Area, will be sprayed.

Lempicki said that issue will be investigated.

Resident Gary Black said, "The state used to run the gypsy moth control. To do it piecemeal by municipality is ridiculous. This is a state problem and it should be handled on a state level and state funded. Stop handing it down to the local taxpayers. It's the state's responsibility."

Jackson officials said the deadline for giving the state a commitment to participate in this year's aerial spraying program was Feb. 8.

Resident John Think said he lost more than 1,000 Christmas trees last year on a 17-acre property because of the gypsy moth infestation.

Resident Ken Bressi, who chairs Jackson's Planning Board, said he would not feel comfortable about Jackson officials using the pesticide Dimilin to go after the gypsy moths.

Three options were eventually offered to the council members. First, to decline to participate in the state's aerial spraying program using Bt; second, to participate in the state's aerial spraying program using Bt; and third, to spray with a combination of Bt and Dimilin.

By a vote of 5-0, the council members chose to participate in the state's aerial spraying program that will use the insecticide Bt.