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Media Contacts:
Steve Lyle, CDFA Public Affairs, (916) 654-0462
Jay Van Rein, CDFA Public Affairs, (916) 654-0462 |
Arnold Schwarzenegger, Governor
A. G. Kawamura, Secretary |
| Scoping Meetings Set for the Light Brown Apple Moth Program Environmental Impact Report |
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Public meetings scheduled
for Monterey, Santa Cruz, San Francisco and Oakland
SACRAMENTO
–The California Department of Food and Agriculture has scheduled public
meetings to receive agency and public comments on the scope and content of
the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the Light Brown Apple Moth
Eradication Program.
The schedule of scoping meetings is as follows: Monterey Santa Cruz San Francisco Oakland Oral and written comments will be accepted. The deadline for written comments is March 20, 2008. They may be sent to: Jim Rains, Staff Environmental Scientist The EIR will evaluate the effects of eradication strategies and methods for the light brown apple moth in portions of the state where infestations have been identified. Environmental issues raised during the meetings will be incorporated into a public scoping report and made available to the public and preparers of the EIR More information, including an action plan for light brown apple moth eradication, can be found at http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/phpps/PDEP/lbam/lbam_main.html The light brown apple moth is native to Australia and is found in New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Hawaii. The range of host plants is broad with more than two-thousand plant species known to be susceptible to attack by this pest. It threatens California’s environment—including cypress, redwood and oak trees—by destroying, stunting or deforming young seedlings and damaging new growth in the forest canopy. The moth also feeds on host plants favored by a number of endangered species; spoils the appearance of ornamental plants; and injures citrus, grapes, and deciduous fruit tree crops. A USDA study indicates that, if California becomes generally infested,
the moth would cause between $160 million and $640 million in crop damage
annually. Additionally, it would hinder export opportunities and
interstate commerce due to quarantine restrictions. Already, Mexico and
Canada have imposed export regulations on California because of the LBAM
infestation. -30-  The
California Department of Food and Agriculture protects and promotes
California's $31.8 billion agricultural industry. California's farmers and
ranchers produce a safe, secure supply of food, fiber and shelter;
marketed fairly for all Californians; and produced with responsible
environmental stewardship.
California Department of Food
and Agriculture Office of Public Affairs Nancy Lungren, Deputy Secretary 1220 N St., Ste. 214, Sacramento, CA 95814 916-654-0462, http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/ |