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Western Maryland Tells State More Spraying For Gypsy Moths Needed


Oct. 9, 2008


by Elizabeth M. Piazza

Capital News Service

FREDERICK - Concerned with the economic and environmental impacts of gypsy moth infestation, officials from Garrett, Allegany, and Frederick counties argued Wednesday that Western Maryland needs to be a top priority for the aerial spraying used to kill the invasive pests.

Members of a gypsy moth task force and other state officials met in Frederick to discuss the statewide infestation problem and make recommendations on effective means of suppression.

Gypsy moths are the most destructive forest pests in Maryland, according to the Maryland Department of Agriculture. They eat the leaves on hardwood trees, causing defoliation.

Repeated defoliation stresses the trees and they eventually die from other natural invaders. Since 1980, gypsy moths have affected more than 1 million acres in Maryland.

Gypsy moth infestation is a statewide issue but largely affects the areas of Western Maryland because of the nature and higher density of the forests.

The task force was created to unite environmentalists and government leaders throughout Maryland to address the problem.

Members of the task force from across Maryland argued over how the program prioritizes sites for treatment, which is done by aerial spraying.

Potential treatment sites are wooded areas where at least 50 percent of the trees are oak and there is at least 50 percent canopy coverage. Additionally, a site must be at least 25 acres, on which there are at least 250 gypsy moth egg masses per acre.

If an area meets those criteria, then its priority is assessed by value.

"Value is on a tree-by-tree basis," said Thomas E. Lupp, regional entomologist for the Maryland Department of Agriculture. "Trees growing in urban or any area associated with a residence have a higher value than those not in a residential area."

Lupp, who is not a member of the task force, was brought in as a technical expert.

The criteria leads to rural Maryland being shortchanged, some argued.

"Those areas that aren't priorities are the areas in Garrett County," said Frederick Holliday, Garrett County commissioner. There are approximately 90,000 acres of wooded, state-owned land in Garrett County without residences.

Wendell R. Beitzel, a Republican delegate representing Garrett and Allegany counties, questioned the environmental benefit of saving trees in residential areas at the expense of huge forests.

"I think we need to redirect some of the priorities," Beitzel said.

State officials are trying to get the most bang for their buck. Last year, 100,000 acres were identified and sprayed throughout Maryland.

"You have people from all around the state and you have limited resources, so you develop criteria," said Earl F. Hance, deputy secretary for the Maryland Department of Agriculture. "Everyone has a different priority, what we're trying to do is create a balance."

Even if there was unlimited funding, finding manpower is difficult. Work is seasonal and there is training and technical knowledge involved. There is currently one forester for every 20,000 acres in Maryland as compared to other states that have four times as many.

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Jul. 3, 2008
Del. Wendell R. Beitzel was recently appointed by Speaker Michael E. Busch as the designated Maryland House of Delegates member to serve on the newly created Task Force to Study Statewide Gypsy Moth Infestation.

"I am excited that the speaker chose me to represent the Maryland House of Delegates on the task force," Beitzel said. "We need to find a solution to prevent or control the devastation caused to our hardwood forests by the gypsy moths. I am very optimistic that something good will come from the work that we will do on this task force."

The 11-member panel was created by Senate Bill 920, which was introduced in the 2008 session of the Maryland General Assembly and signed into law by Gov. Martin O'Malley.

"Del. Beitzel is aware of his appointment," Busch said, "and looks forward to participating as a member of the task force. I am confident that his leadership and contributions will benefit the Maryland House of Delegates and the citizens of our state."

Gypsy moth infestation has been very prevalent throughout Maryland in the past two years, Beitzel noted. Western Maryland – and especially Garrett County, which has the largest acreage of forest in the state – has experienced severe defoliation because of gypsy moth infestation.

In addition to Beitzel, other task force members include representatives from the Senate, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Maryland Forest Association, Pesticide Network, and departments of Agriculture, Budget and Management, and Natural Resources.

The group is required to study the gypsy moth infestation and to make recommendations regarding the most effective, practical, regulatory, and legislative means of combating the problem. A reporting requirement is required in SB 920, which was sponsored by 17 senators, including George C. Edwards.

Beitzel has been working with the Garrett County commissioners, state and local agricultural and forest agencies, organizations, and individuals to seek additional funding for gypsy moth control and eradication.

"I am pleased that our collective efforts resulted in a much larger infusion of funds in 2008 to spray for gypsy moths in western Maryland and the state," Beitzel said. "Hopefully the spraying of nearly 50,000 acres in Garrett County will help to prevent the massive forest defoliation we witnessed here last year