Public Meeting Scheduled for the 2010 Gypsy Moth Suppression Program in Dane County
January 20, 2010
Darren Marsh, Dane County Land and Water Resources-Parks Division, (608) 224-3766
Lisa Johnson, Dane County UWEX Horticulture Educator, (608) 224-3715
Land & Water Resources
7:00 pm
Sequoya Branch Library
4340 Tokay Blvd.
Madison, WI 53711
Dane County Parks, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, and the Dane County Tree Board will hold a public information forum about the 2010 Gypsy Moth Suppression Aerial Spray Program in Dane County on February 1, 2010. The meeting will be held at 7:00 pm at the Sequoya Branch Library, 4340 Tokay Blvd. Madison, WI 53711. Representatives from the three agencies will provide information on the biology and life cycle of the gypsy moth and discuss gypsy moth management and control. Questions from the public will be welcomed.
The gypsy moth population is down statewide but certain locations in Dane County have similar or slightly higher populations then last year. The gypsy moth can be a serious tree pest. In large populations, gypsy moths can defoliate trees and kill those that are already under stress. In addition, some people experience allergic reactions caused by contact with gypsy moth egg cases or caterpillars. The Gypsy Moth Suppression Program is intended to help reduce these effects.
Within Dane County, 45 treatment blocks covering 2,954 acres have been proposed for 2010. In 2009 there were 34 treatment blocks covering 2,716 acres. The 2010 treatment blocks include 35 sites in the City of Madison, three in the City of Monona, one in the City of Middleton, two in the Town of Middleton, two in the City of Sun Prairie, and two in the City of Fitchburg. An overview map and details about each spray block can be found below. Two proposed spray blocks in Lake Kegonsa State Park will also be discussed at this meeting. Spray block maps will also be available for viewing in early February at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources web site: http://gypsymoth.wi.gov/
Landowners and residents within the proposed treatment blocks have the option to request that their property or residence (as well as a 250 square foot buffer area) not be treated by writing to Darren Marsh, Parks Division, Dane County Land and Water Resources, 1 Fen Oak Court, Madison, WI 53718. Objection requests must be received by February 19, 2010.