Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, November 4, 1993 TAG: 9311040458
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: W-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CHARLES STEBBINS STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NEW CASTLE LENGTH: Medium
The Board of Supervisors was notified this week that a federally funded program tracking the moth has not turned up any heavy infestations in the county, which has a vast stand of trees.
"Analysis of the data obtained indicates no isolated infestations within . . . your county," George Anderson, coordinator of the state Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services' tracking program, said in a letter to the supervisors.
The letter said a few male moths were found in Craig but this was of little consequence.
"The male gypsy moth is a prolific flyer," Anderson wrote, "and the male moth, by itself, does not indicate the presence of an infestation."
"This looks good," said Craig County Administrator Richard C. Flora after he presented Anderson's letter to the supervisors Monday.
"The situation is not as bad as I thought it would be," said Zane M. Jones, chairman of the supervisors.
The gypsy moth, in its caterpillar stage, eats leaves from trees, and in western Virginia is a threat to orchards. The moth was accidentally introduced into New England in 1868 and has been slowly spreading south and west since.
Anderson said his program will continue monitoring Craig County so control measures can begin early if the pest becomes more numerous.
In another action:
The supervisors granted a short-term loan of $1,150 to the Craig-New Castle Solid Waste Authority so the authority can buy a farm-type dump vehicle.
The vehicle will be used as a refuse receptacle at the landfill while crews are replacing a full trash bin.
Flora said the authority has the money but the vehicle might be sold in the time it would take the agency to call a meeting and get together.
The supervisors granted Flora's request.
by CNB