[Archived] Alexandria Arborist’s Office Schedules Public Open House On March 15 To Consider Proposed Options for 2007 Gypsy Moth Suppression Program

City Press Release


	For Immediate Release	For More Information, Contact
	March 7, 2007 PIO# 058-07/rdo	Steve Mason, Director of Communications, at 703.838.4300 Raynard Owens, Communications Officer, at 703.838.4300

Alexandria Arborist’s Office Schedules Public Open House On March 15
To Consider Proposed Options for 2007 Gypsy Moth Suppression Program

The Alexandria Arborist’s Office has scheduled a public open house to consider proposed options for the City’s 2007 Gypsy Moth Lymantria dispar Suppression Program. The public open house will be held on Thursday, March 15, from 5:45 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. at the Charles Barrett Recreation Center, located at 1115 Martha Custis Drive. The public is invited to attend and make comments.

During the summer of 2006, a Gypsy Moth Egg Mass Survey was conducted throughout the City. The survey indicated that approximately 75 acres in Beverly Hills qualifies for two aerial applications of Gypchek. Gypchek is a gypsy moth specific biological insecticide that kills only gypsy moths. Gypchek is harmless to human beings and other mammals as well as birds, fish, and other animals. The Beverly Hills area that is eligible for treatment is bound by South Overlook Drive to the north, Old Dominion Boulevard on the east, Allison Street on the south, and Wellington Road on the west.

In order to qualify for assistance from the Commonwealth of Virginia, the City must prepare and submit a gypsy moth suppression proposal. Written comments regarding Alexandria’s Gypsy Moth Suppression Program can be submitted until Thursday, March 22, to:

State Entomologist
VDACS/Office of Plant Protection
c/o Alexandria Gypsy Moth Office
1108 Jefferson St.
Alexandria, VA 22314

The Charles Barrett Recreation Center is served by DASH transit lines #AT 3 and #AT 4. For DASH schedule information, call 703-370-DASH or visit www.dashbus.com. For Metrobus schedule information, call 202-637-7000 or visit www.wmata.com.

The City of Alexandria is committed to compliance with the City’s Human Rights Code and the Americans with Disabilities Act. To request a reasonable accommodation or to request materials in an alternative format, call Jerry Dieruf, City Arborist, at 703-838-4999, extension 451 (TTY 703-838-4902) or e-mail jerry.dieruf@alexandriava.gov.

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