Township permits state egg‑mass survey for spongy moths after discussion of trade‑offs

The Lebanon Township Committee voted to allow the New Jersey Department of Agriculture to conduct an egg‑mass survey for LDD (spongy moth) after a presentation by Sharon Fitzinger, chair of the Environmental & Open Space Commission.

"By agreeing to this, you don't agree to treatment," Fitzinger told the committee, saying the fall egg‑mass survey only assesses whether treatment may be needed the following spring. She described treatments as a bacteria native to the soil that kills caterpillars and is not a persistent chemical, but cautioned it would kill non‑target caterpillars during the spray window.

Committee members and residents raised concerns about impacts on butterflies, songbirds and other wildlife. Fitzinger said prior studies show reduced reproductive success among some birds when caterpillar prey is suppressed, noting the board must weigh that risk against the tree‑damage that outbreaks cause. One committee member asked whether private properties could be excluded from spraying; Fitzinger and other staff said survey approval does not automatically approve treatment on private land and that residents would be notified if treatment were proposed.

After questions and discussion, a motion to approve filling out the application for the egg‑mass survey passed by roll call; the committee noted the submission deadline and that the survey itself is provided at no cost to the township. Officials said the survey will give information needed to decide whether to pursue treatment later.

The committee’s decision allows the state to perform the informational survey; any decision to treat would be a separate public action required at a later meeting.