HD2 - Increasing Public Knowledge of the Gypsy Moth; Phase I

  • Published: 1990
  • Author: Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
  • Enabling Authority: House Joint Resolution 391 (Regular Session, 1989)

Executive Summary:
The 1989 Session of the Virginia General Assembly passed a resolution directing the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to study means of increasing public knowledge of the gypsy moth through the development of a broad-based educational program. This resolution charges the Department to examine and report on the following:

1. Recommendations as to how the Commonwealth's budget process should be revised to reflect the biological data gathering techniques to facilitate the execution of the gypsy moth suppression program.

2. The need to identify problem gypsy moth populations in a timely manner to allow for more complete and effective gypsy moth programs.

3. Ways to encourage local government and citizen involvement in the gypsy moth suppression program.

4.The feasibility of using gypsy moth caterpillar counts in lieu of gypsy moth egg mass counts in preparing suppression programs.

Item number 1 above is designated as Phase I of this study and a report on it is due to the General by July 1, 1989. Items numbered 2,3, and 4 above are designated as Phase II of the study and are to be presented to the Governor and the 1990 General Assembly.