Wisconsin DNR to scale back gypsy moth suppression

The state Department of Natural Resources wants to dramatically scale back its gypsy moth aerial spray program.

Communities and individuals have been able to ask the DNR to spray moth-infested areas for 14 years. But the agency now wants to limit spraying to only state lands. DNR officials say private aerial spraying has become more available and the gypsy moth threat has decreased. They also say federal cost sharing has shrunk as low as 17 percent of the total expense and they expect it will continue to dwindle.

DNR officials plan to ask the agency's board at a meeting next month in Hayward for permission to start drafting rules to implement the scale-back and hold public hearings on the idea in December.

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