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County to map affected acres and apply for federal spongy moth suppression funds
Summary
Virginia Cooperative Extension told the board that aerial defoliation mapping shows roughly 11,000 acres defoliated in Frederick County; staff estimated county administrative costs and recommended mapping/ground-truthing and applying for federal funds that may cover up to 50% of aerial treatment costs. The board authorized staff to proceed.
Mark Sutman of Virginia Cooperative Extension updated the Frederick County Board of Supervisors on the spongy moth (formerly “gypsy moth”) situation and potential suppression options.
Sutman described life-cycle observations and regional aerial-defoliation mapping produced by the Virginia Department of Forestry, noting approximately 85,000 acres defoliated across the Northern Shenandoah Valley and an estimate of about 11,000 acres in Frederick County. He said the county is currently in the egg-mass stage, which precedes caterpillar emergence and possible aerial treatment next spring.
Sutman reviewed suppression-program mechanics and funding: the U.S. Forest Service funds some aerial applications via grant programs administered through the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services; federal funds could cover up to 50% of the cost for eligible acres if a successful application is submitted. Sutman also provided a county-level estimate for mapping, outreach and coordination — including staff and mailing costs — totaling approximately $115,088.
Board members discussed eligible acreage ranges (staff estimated 1,000–15,000 qualifying acres in scenarios shown), the application deadline (applications due in November for potential spraying in 2025), and program implementation details (opt-out outreach to affected landowners, required public meetings and contractor operations in spring). The board voted to have county staff and the county agronomic coordinator move forward with mapping/ground-truthing work and to prepare the federal grant application; vote passed by roll call.
