Associated Press - October 29, 2007 8:44 PM ET

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (AP) - Santa Cruz County is planning to sue the state in an effort to prevent spraying aimed at eradicating a crop-destroying moth.

The Board of Supervisors approved moving forward with a lawsuit by a 4-1 vote. The suit against the California Department of Food and Agriculture is expected to be filed on Wednesday.

The light brown apple moth is a tiny Australian pest that attacks 250 plant species. It was first spotted in California in March and has since spread to 12 counties.

Santa Cruz officials hope to challenge the state for failing to conduct an environmental review on the impact the pesticide will have on people and the environment.

Environmentalists lost a similar court challenge in Monterey County, where the spraying program has resumed.

Information from: Santa Cruz Sentinel, http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/

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