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OF O 'W ` vv~. ~'C~ _ ~ • ~ Department ®f Agriculture F i o ~ ~ z 635 Capitol Street NE Theodore R. Kulongoski, Governor Salem, OR 97301-2532 rase January 9, 2004 l ~ Kurt Corey Public Works Director 858 Pearl St Eugene, OR 97401 Dear Mr. Corey; The Oregon Department of Agriculture is proposing to eradicate a gypsy moth infestation in the south hills of Eugene near Crest Drive and Courtney Place. The proposed eradication area covers about 183 acres. It is likely that a small buffer area surrounding this eradication area would receive some Btk, but in quantities much less than the eradication area. Three aerial applications of Btk are proposed at about 7 to 14 day intervals. Spraying would be done by helicopter, and start approximately one-half hour before sunrise. Spraying should be completed in less than two hours unless delayed by weather or operational problems. The treatment schedule would likely be .during the last week of April. and continue through mid May. Pursuant to 14 C.F.R. 137.51(b)(1), the Oregon Department of Agriculture respectfully requests the City of Eugene to authorize low-altitude helicopter flights associated with the gypsy moth eradication program to be conducted in Eugene, should the Director of the Oregon Department. of Agriculture decide to conduct this eradication program. If not eradicated, the gypsy moth infestation detected in Eugene poses a major problem for Eugene, our state and the West. Introduced accidentally into Massachusetts in 1869 from Europe, gypsy moth has become a major pest of trees of shrubs in the northeastern United States and in the midwestern and southern states where it has spread. Caterpillars eat the leaves of over 500 plant species from April through-June. Millions of acres of forested and urban areas are defoliated annually in the eastern United States. Most trees in the area of Eugene where a gypsy moth infestation has been discovered are prime hosts for gypsy moth.. Oaks and madrone trees are especially preferred, but caterpillars also feed on evergreens such as pine and Douglas fir. Important orchard and backyard trees like cherries and apples are also attacked. Evergreen trees may die after one year of defoliation and deciduous trees may weaken and die after a couple years of severe gypsy moth feeding. Trees stripped of their leaves become more susceptible. to other pests and pathogens. Gypsy moth establishment in Eugene (and spreading to the rest of Oregon) would have - , significant negative impacts; including • quarantines. covering outdoor household articles, recreational vehicles, agricultural and, timber products and other items • increased pesticide use and production costs (to protect crops and meet quarantine requirements) • timber production losses <;