June 21, 1996
(Forest Resources and Agrifoods)

1996 Insect Control Program

Beaton Tulk, Minister of Forest Resources and Agrifoods, would like to inform the public of the insect control program to be carried out against the hemlock looper for the 1996 season. This year's program will consist of treating up to 95,000 hectares of mainly balsam fir forest in western and northern Newfoundland with two applications of B.t. spray.

B.t. is a biological insecticide specific for tree defoliating insects such as the looper. The B.t. spray will be applied using single-engine spray aircraft working out of Stephenville and Deer Lake airports and the Port au Choix airstrip. The areas in western Newfoundland extend from Lloyds Lake westward to the headwaters of Little Barachois Brook, from Crabbes River to Robinsons River, from Gallants northeastward to Bonne Bay Big Pond-Deer Lake area, and near Hampden Junction. The northern areas extend from Portland Creek to Hawkes Bay.

"All necessary precautions will be taken to ensure human and environmental safety." said Mr. Tulk. "The appropriate licence has been obtained from the Department of Environment and Labour, and the environmental conditions contained in the licence will be strictly observed. "

The licence has been issued for areas outside of community protected water supply areas. This represents 90 per cent of the forest areas identified as priority areas for the spray program. Depending upon weather conditions, the program is expected to commence in the third week of June 1996.

The licence issued by the Department of Environment and Labour states that permission to conduct any spraying within protected water supply areas is contingent upon a consultation process between the community affected, the Department of Forest Resources and Agrifoods and the Department of Environment and Labour.

"My department is committed to this consultation process," said Mr. Tulk. "We will be initiating meetings with these communities in the very near future and hope to address their questions and concerns regarding proposed spraying activity." The department will develop an information program for approval by the Department of Environment and Labour, and will draw upon the expertise of the Department of Health and the manufacturer of B.t. to ensure that the information provided to the public is comprehensive and clear.

To keep the public informed about the progress of the program, the Newfoundland Forest Service will send regular reports to the media.

The public may view maps showing the location of the treatment areas at the following locations: the regional forestry offices in Gander and Corner Brook; forestry headquarters in Corner Brook; the district forestry offices at Massey Drive, Pynn's Brook, St. Georges and Port Saunders; and the Department of Environment and Labour office in St. John's.

Enquiries on details of the program can be made to (709) 637-2347 in Corner Brook, or for a recorded spray message, call (709) 637-2622. Further information can be obtained from the Department of Environment and Labour, Pesticide Control Section at a toll-free telephone number: 1-800-563-6181.

Contact:

          Hubert Crummey                Anna Buffinga
          (709) 637-2424                (709) 729-3750

1996 06 21                      4:20 p.m.