ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, June 13, 1996 TAG: 9606130008
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: E-11 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CHARLES STEBBINS STAFF WRITER
Vinton will join other localities in the Roanoke Valley in a program to combat the leaf-consuming gypsy moth.
Members of Town Council have included $250 in the town's 1996-97 fiscal budget - the town's pro rata share to set up a control program.
Local governments throughout the Fifth Planning District are being asked to include funds for the gypsy moth program in their 1996-97 budgets, all of which take effect on July 1.
John Arbogast, chairman of the Regional Gypsy Moth Steering Committee, said the committee will meet June 20 to set up the next step in the program.
The gypsy moth is still a small threat in the Roanoke Valley, but has the potential for great increases in the next two or three years, Arbogast said.
Arbogast, also a Virginia Tech extension agent in Roanoke, said the gypsy moth caterpillar can strip trees of their leaves in short order, leaving them weak and open to fatal diseases.
"The caterpillars are capable of damaging large numbers of trees," he said. "Not only are trees stripped of their leaves, but some can succumb to disease and die."
In asking for contributions to the gypsy moth control fund, he reminded local governments that Virginia Tech puts up a 50 percent in-kind match for funds put up by local governments.
Local governments that have either joined the control program or expressed an intent to join are Vinton, Salem, Roanoke and Roanoke, Botetourt and Craig counties. Alleghany County, Clifton Forge and Covington, also in the Fifth Planning District, have not responded, Arbogast said.
The amount being asked for each locality is on a graduated basis according to population.
The localities are being asked to put up a combined total of $7,500 in the coming fiscal year.
The largest of the localities - Roanoke - is being asked for $3,137. and the smallest -- Craig -- is being asked for $146.
The other jurisdictions and the amounts being requested are Roanoke County $2,361; Botetourt County $835; Salem $773; and Vinton's share is $249.
Arbogast said the gypsy moth is expected to arrive in the Roanoke Valley in the next two or three years. If it comes in large enough numbers, he said, it could defoliate trees along the Blue Ridge Parkway, on Mill Mountain, along Interstate 81 and elsewhere.
The best defense, he said, is a regional approach aimed at preventing the moth from getting established in the area through public awareness so the early arrival of the moth can be reported to authorities. Proper woods management and quarantines also may be needed.
LENGTH: Medium: 54 linesby CNB