Published: August 19, 2008 08:10 pm         

Gypsy moth damage worse this year than last

Gypsy moths have gnawed through 81,000 acres of West Virginia’s hardwoods, causing more damage this year than last, at a time when lawmakers have been warned that fewer dollars might be available in the next budget.

Studies performed by the state Department of Agriculture show the 2007 destruction amounted to 78,000 acres.

Ten counties saw defoliation, and the worst occurred in Greenbrier and Monroe, where 26,717 and 26,989 acres were scarred, respectively.

“This is a troubling trend in West Virginia, particularly when you consider the severe cuts in federal funding that we expect for next year’s spray program,” Agriculture Commissioner Gus Douglass said Tuesday.

For two years, the gypsy moth had been less of a threat, but has since returned with a fierce campaign of destruction.

In July legislative interims, Gary Gibson, director of plant industries for the state agriculture agency, advised the Forest Management Review Commission that the federal budget contains sufficient cash to absorb 10 percent of the cost, while the landowner pays 80 percent and the state also provides 10 percent.

It costs about $13.41 to treat one acre, and if the federal government turns off the spigot, it will mean the state will have to start paying for treatments on a 50-50 basis with landowners.

West Virginia hardwoods have been harmed to the tune of $41 million since 1985, he had told the commission.

Other counties hit with defoliation were Berkeley, Grant, Hampshire, Hardy, Jefferson, Mineral, Morgan and Pocahontas.

Homeowners have until Aug. 31 to sign up for the cooperative program. They may rescind the pacts if they feel their share of the program is too high.

“I remain committed to protecting the fields and forests of this beautiful state,” Douglass said.

“I am confident that funding will be restored at some point.”

To qualify, a landowner must have 50 contiguous acres of wooded land. Adjoining properties may be joined for the sake of taking part in the program. Blocks must be as rectangular as possible to be treated without significant overspray.

Counties eligible for the 2009 program are Barbour, Berkeley, Braxton, Brooke, Doddridge, Gilmer, Grant, Greenbrier, Hampshire, Hancock, Hardy, Harrison, Jefferson, Lewis, Marion, Marshall, Mineral, Monongalia, Monroe, Morgan, Nicholas, Ohio, Pendleton, Pleasants, Pocahontas, Preston, Randolph, Ritchie, Taylor, Tyler, Tucker, Upshur, Webster and Wetzel.

— E-mail: mannix@register-herald.com