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~ <br /> City Manager's Office <br /> City of Eugene <br /> 777 Pearl Street, Room 105 <br /> Eugene, Oregon 97401-2793 <br /> January 28, 2004 (541) 682-5010 <br /> (541) 682-5414 Fax <br /> (541) 682-5045 TTY <br /> www.ci.eugene.or.us <br /> Kathleen J.R. Johnson, Supervisor <br /> Insect Pest Prevention and Management Programs <br /> Oregon Department of Agriculture <br /> 635 Capital Street NE <br /> Salem, OR 97301-2532 <br /> Dear Ms. Johnson: <br /> Thank you for your January 9, 2004 letter to the City of Eugene Public Works Director in which <br /> you outlined the Department of Agriculture proposal to eradicate a gypsy moth infestation in the <br /> south hills of Eugene. The City of Eugene certainly understands the need to eradicate the gypsy <br /> moth and recognizes the potential severe negative impact associated with failing to address the <br /> problem. <br /> Our understanding is your target area covers approximately 183 acres near Crest Drive and <br /> Courtney Place in south Eugene, and that the Department of Agriculture plans for three aerial <br /> applications of the biological insecticide Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki (Btk). It is further <br /> understood the aerial application may also include a small buffer area surrounding the primary <br /> target area. Finally, in accordance with your letter, it is understood these applications would <br /> occur at 7 to 14 day intervals with each application generally expected to be completed in less <br /> than two hours. We acknowledge the applications would likely occur during the last week of <br /> April and continuing through mid-May, dependent upon weather and other conditions. <br /> The City of Eugene is in support of the proposed application method which would specifically <br /> require helicopters to operate at lower than normal altitudes in order to assure adequate coverage <br /> of the eradication area. It is acknowledged this is the most effective and only practical means of <br /> treating the target area. <br /> We understand you are presently completing an environmental assessment of the proposed gypsy <br /> moth eradication program in Eugene and have planned a public information meeting in the <br /> community within the next several weeks. Please advise us if eradication plans will differ <br /> substantially from the understanding outlined in this communication, and please let us know if we <br /> maybe of any further assistance in helping to facilitate the program. <br /> 'ncerely, <br /> . , <br /> De M. Taylor <br /> City Manager <br /> <br /> ~/cc: Kurt Corey, P.E., Director of Public Works <br /> <br />