MADISON - Yellow planes will be a familiar sight in some counties this spring and summer, while in others, it will make an appearance for the first time.
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection's Gypsy Moth Slow the Spread Program proposes to aerially treat 22 counties - including parts of Green and Lafayette Counties - covering approximately 254,166 acres this year to help control the spread of the destructive forest pest, the gypsy moth. This plan is separate from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Suppression Program.
The counties are Ashland, Bayfield, Burnett, Chippewa, Clark, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Grant, Green, Iowa, Jackson, La Crosse, Lafayette, Polk, Price, Richland, Rusk, Sawyer, Trempealeau, Vernon and Washburn.
"The gypsy moth is a serious pest that threatens our forests and urban trees, and it can have a negative impact on Wisconsin's timber, paper, nursery and tourism industries. If the gypsy moths aren't controlled, it'll be very unpleasant to see defoliated trees and thousands of caterpillars crawling around in the spring and early summer," said Chris Lettau, gypsy moth program coordinator.
Five public meetings will be held in March for citizens to learn about the program and gypsy moths, ask questions and comment on the proposed treatment plan. Maps of areas considered for treatment will be available.
The public meetings scheduled for southern Wisconsin include:
- Madison: From 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. today, at the state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, 2811 Agriculture Drive, Room 231.
- Richland Center: From 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 9, at the Richland County Courthouse, 181 W. Seminary St., County Board Room.
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection's Gypsy Moth Slow the Spread Program proposes to aerially treat 22 counties - including parts of Green and Lafayette Counties - covering approximately 254,166 acres this year to help control the spread of the destructive forest pest, the gypsy moth. This plan is separate from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Suppression Program.
The counties are Ashland, Bayfield, Burnett, Chippewa, Clark, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Grant, Green, Iowa, Jackson, La Crosse, Lafayette, Polk, Price, Richland, Rusk, Sawyer, Trempealeau, Vernon and Washburn.
"The gypsy moth is a serious pest that threatens our forests and urban trees, and it can have a negative impact on Wisconsin's timber, paper, nursery and tourism industries. If the gypsy moths aren't controlled, it'll be very unpleasant to see defoliated trees and thousands of caterpillars crawling around in the spring and early summer," said Chris Lettau, gypsy moth program coordinator.
Five public meetings will be held in March for citizens to learn about the program and gypsy moths, ask questions and comment on the proposed treatment plan. Maps of areas considered for treatment will be available.
The public meetings scheduled for southern Wisconsin include:
- Madison: From 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. today, at the state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, 2811 Agriculture Drive, Room 231.
- Richland Center: From 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 9, at the Richland County Courthouse, 181 W. Seminary St., County Board Room.