McHose bill for more federal aid

For Gypsy Moth Program  advances

         MOUNT OLIVE - (1/29/08) Responding to concerns over the extensive gypsy moth defoliation damage in recent years, the Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee yesterday unanimously approved an Assembly resolution sponsored by Assemblywoman Alison Littell McHose and Assemblyman Ronald Dancer aimed at gaining more federal funding for New Jersey’s gypsy moth suppression efforts.

            “The damage caused in New Jersey by gypsy moth infestations has been extensive and we need a fully funded effort to control this problem,” said McHose, (R-Sussex, Morris and Hunterdon) “We cannot continue to place nearly the full burden for addressing this problem on municipalities that already have strained budgets,” she said

            This resolution, AR-89, memorializes the United States Department of Agriculture to expand funding for the New Jersey Gypsy Moth Suppression Program so  municipalities can fight the devastating effects of this forest pest.

            “If we do not effectively deal with it now, the cost of  will only grow in the future,” said Dancer, R-Ocean, Monmouth, Burlington and Mercer. “People’s properties are being destroyed by this pest and we need to act now to control the infestation.”

            Defoliation from the gypsy moth has been increasing in recent years from 6,500 acres in 2004 to 44,000 acres in 2005 to 125,000 in 2006, leading to 2007 potentially being the worst year for defoliation in the State since 2001, when 140,000 acres were devastated.

            Although the United States Department of Agriculture has provided some funding to the State to assist the Gypsy Moth Suppression Program, municipalities were still compelled to fund 75 percent of the cost of the  program last year.