February 5, 2008
Hon. Jon Corzine
Governor, State of
Re: Gypsy Moth Spraying in 2008
Dear Governor Corzine:
Your files will show a copy of
the letter I wrote to you in January asking that action be taken to move the
expense of gypsy moth spraying under the State program from inside the cap to
outside the cap for purposes of preparing municipal budgets. I have enclosed a
copy of that letter. We received a telephone call from your office informing us
the matter will be addressed. I appreciate the response and hope the matter
will have a positive outcome.
Yesterday we were informed by the
Department of Agriculture that due to the size of the area, statewide, requiring
inclusion in the suppression program no areas will receive a double application
of the suppression agent.
The product being used, BTk, has
an effectiveness rate of about 60% and therefore heavily infested areas have been
sprayed twice in the past. Even with the double application in highly infested
areas, devastation continues to increase. Another, more effective product,
dimilin, has not been approved by the DEP even though I understand it is used
in
The picture is clear:
Governor Corzine, please get
someone to coordinate the missions of Department of Agriculture and Department
of Environmental Protection with the needs of the municipalities and residents
of the State. Either the necessary resources must be found to apply BTk twice
where needed or dimilin must be approved based on scientific data. The only
other alternative is to witness the destruction of the infested woodlands.
Spring and the annual defoliation are just around the corner.
Urgent action is required.
Sincerely,
James F. Young, Sr.
Mayor
Cc: Municipalities Participating
in the Gypsy Moth Suppression Program
Commissioner Jackson, Department of
Environmental Protection
Commissioner Kuperus, Department of
Agriculture
Joseph Zoltowski, Department of
Agriculture