Dan Andrews Posted March 20, 2008 Report Share Posted March 20, 2008 Hello all, We are expecting another severe gypsy moth infestation this spring and summer. Based on the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources summer 2007 defoliation mapping, the infestation in the Niagara Peninsula spread from 14,826 acres to 31,094 acres. The majority of those acres are found in West Lincoln, Wainfleet, south Lincoln, west and central Pelham, south and west Niagara Falls and along the Niagara River from north Niagara Falls to NOTL. In partnership with the Township of West Lincoln, Town of Pelham, the Niagara Parks Commission and the Niagara Region, four open houses have been scheduled to assist in the organizing of a foliage control program. As in 2007, the open houses will introduce landowners to the insect, how it damages trees and forests, effective controls and how to participate in the 2008 foliage protection program. Again, the 2008 program will exclusively use the biological insecticide, B.t., apply two applications at 4.0 l/ha using rotary winged aircraft (helicopter). If you participated in 2007, it isn’t necessary to visit the open houses as I have all your spray information. Should you like to participate in the 2008 program, the process is the same. i. To insure that the infestation warrants spraying, ii. Then review your property boundaries on aerial photography provided by Trees Unlimited, iii. Then confirm and calculate the spray block boundaries and acres, iv. Identify which adjacent residences are within 50 m of any spray block edge which would then require the non-participating landowner to sign off on a notification waiver. Since the foliage control program will only be using the biological insecticide, Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t.) approval is most often given. B.t. is the only pesticide registered for use by the Organic Growers of America and soon to be registered by the Organic Growers of Canada, v. Return a signed agreement with any waivers and payment, and vi. Finally, transfer the mapping data to the aircraft, post the property with provided signage & spray. The 2007 spray program had many benefits. The program provided a very cost-effective method of reducing the insect’s population and protected foliage, 11 landowners entered the Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program and have received a minimum property tax reduction of $1,100 and 15 properties will participate in the Niagara Woodlands Restoration Program where sites with numerous environmental benefits are tree planted with more than 22 species at very little cost to the landowner. If any of these items interest you, please do not hesitate to visit one of the open houses below or contact me via phone or email. Yours in conservation, Paul R. Trees Unlimited Tel: (905) 384-0789 Email: paul@treesunlimited.ca Website: www.treesunlimited.ca The open house info is listed below. Also, all the documents are available by visiting our website www.treesunlimited.ca or the Township of West Lincoln or Town of Pelham websites. Thursday, March 20, 2008 10:00 am to 8:00 pm Caistor Community Centre, 9184 Regional Road 65 Tuesday, March 25, 2008 10:00 am to 8:00 pm Old Pelham Town Hall, 491 Canboro Road, Ridgeville Wednesday, March 26, 2008 10:00 am to 8:00 pm Township of West Lincoln, Municipal Council Chambers 318 Canborough Street, Smithville Thursday, March 27, 2008 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm Chapel at Queenston 14419 Niagara River Parkway, Queenston Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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