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Township May Opt Out Of State Gypsy Moth Program, Do Work Itself
By Lauren Puglisi
After the township decided not to spend money on the state's gypsy moth prevention program earlier this year, the town was overrun by the foliage-eating critters.
With spring 2008 expected to be worse than last spring, officials are already looking ahead to next year's gypsy moth crop.
And the township might take matters into its own hands.
On Tuesday night, Mayor Mark Seda and the town council held an informational forum detailing the township's plans for next spring's gypsy moth spraying. Under a proposal still under consideration, Jackson will resume spraying for gypsy moths, but not under the state's program. Instead, township officials are looking towards doing the work inhouse, and using a different chemical and approach than the state.
The township's engineers lead the presentation, which was mainly geared towards the idea of using a ground spray rather than an airborne spray. Jackson officials are considering the use of Dimilin, rather than the Bacillus thuringiensis, or Bt, used by the state.
Dimilin is potentially more effective in eliminating gypsy moths, yet critics say it is questionably a toxic chemical. Bt, meanwhile, is less effective in ridding trees of gypsy moths, but advocates say it has been proven to be a more natural and non-harmful method of spraying for gypsy moths.
Outlined maps and statistics were administered to the public detailing the increased gypsy moth problem the township is now facing. It's a problem exacerbated by the decision not to spray last year.
"If we do not treat these lands, we are shoveling the problem against the tides," said Dan Burke, one of township engineers.
While there is support for once again spraying for gypsy moths, conflict has arisen regarding the chemical township officials are considering for use.
Some residents became outraged after the township engineers gave university documentation depicting Dimilin as anything but a harmful chemical. Despite the documentation, they had their doubts.
"If the township decides to spray Dimilin and my bees die, are you willing the pay for them?" Peter Leighton, a bee keeper in the area, asked.
Gary Lovallo, one of the township's engineers, fired back at Leighton and said that the Dimilin label specifically says it does not affect bees in any way. Lovallo continued by explaining that if Dimilin is sprayed, all local bee keepers will be notified so they can cover their hives for further safety.
When the crowd at this week's council meeting said they began to feel as though the information being handed to them was one-sided, Mayor Mark Seda reminded residents that the presentation was meant to propose both sides in solving Jackson's gypsy moth problem.
"There has not been any decision made regarding this topic," Seda said. "Tonight was meant to provide more detailed information to the public."
Another factor that has left the residents of Jackson questioning the reason for using Dimilin is its extremely low price.
The cost to use a ground spray of Dimilin is about $32,000 to cover a total of 143 miles throughout the township, whereas the methods used by the state could cost $1 million.
When members of the Ocean County Sierra Club, an environmental watchdog group, read aloud documentation declaring Dimilin as a hazard to animals, humans and insects, Councilwomen Emily Ingram agreed to a suggestion calling for a follow-up meeting.
"I have concerns for my family and for the residents of Jackson. We will continue to investigate Dimilin as well as research other methods before going forward with making a decision," Ingram said.
Jackson has until December 21 to decide to opt for the state approved program for this upcoming year.
Members of the council also made an announcement to a possible special meeting that would be focused on the gypsy moth issue. A representative of the township clerk's office said on Thursday that a date has not yet been set.
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