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Jan. 12, 2012
The Garrett County commissioners on Tuesday unanimously approved allocating funds to participate in two Maryland Department of Agriculture gypsy moth aerial suppression projects this spring. Spraying will take place in mid to late May, after trees have leafed out and the newly hatched caterpillars can feed on them.
“The very rough total estimated cost to the county for both projects and surveys is at least $37,480,” wrote Robert Tatman, MDA Forest Pest Management Program, in a letter to the commissioners last month.
The goal of the program is to identify developing pest infestations in order to respond appropriately before significant damage occurs.
Tatman noted in the letter that MDA has identified several areas of gypsy moth populations that may cause tree defoliation in Garrett County, and asked if the commissioners would be interested in participating in the two projects.
“One is our traditional Cooperative Gypsy Moth Suppression project, which would include federal grant monies,” Tatman wrote. “This would be all areas that averaged over 250 gypsy moth egg masses per acre.”
The county will cost share 25 percent, if the MDA can get a federal grant. If not, the cost share will be 50 percent.
Tatman noted that the county will cost share only on nonstate owned lands, or approximately 415 acres for a 25 percent estimated cost share of $5,680. This does not include the cost of egg mass surveys, which would be a minimum of $8,250.
“The estimated total cost to the county for this traditional program is $13,930,” Tatman said.
The second project will not be part of the traditional Cooperative Gypsy Moth Suppression project and does not qualify for federal money.
More here.
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