Latest News Coverage on the Spray

Well, the word is certainly getting around, which is great. As with any media story, some folks are better than others at getting the facts straight, but the general consensus seems to be that as public outcry continues to grow, the State may find itself forced to take a different approach to an aerial spray.

Articles:

• State Fears Economic Impact of Moth Spray. A.P. via Capital Press, Apr. 18
  Key Quote: "Still, public uncertainty alone could be enough to slow summer tourism, drive residents to leave town and cause real estate agents to initiate conversations with their clients about whether they want to buy property in the proposed spray zone, local government officials say."
• Officials Hit Obstacles in Apple Moth Battle. ThePacker.com, Apr. 21
  Key Quote: "The joint effort by the California Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to fight an infestation of the light brown apple moth continues to encounter roadblocks. The result could be the use of stronger, more conventional tools to eradicate the pest, said Steve Lyle, director of public affairs for the state agency."
• USDA Under Fire Over Apple Moth. California Farmer, Apr. 21
  Key Quote: "'The bureaucracy that led to the moth being labeled a dangerous pest is unclear,' Rep. Farr said following the hearing. 'If we don't even know why the moth is listed as a dangerous pest, it's impossible to determine how far we must go to control it or whether the current emergency eradication tactics are justified.'"
• Moms Mobilize to Stop Moth Spraying. SF Chronicle, Apr. 15
  Key Quote: "'Nothing gets people more irate than a government institution spraying their kids from a plane,' said Jared Blumenfeld, director of the San Francisco Department of the Environment. 'It's a bad movie. And nobody wants to be in that movie.'"
• Marin Fears Economic Damage from Apple Moth. Marin Independent Journal via Inside Bay Area, Apr. 18
  Key Quote: "Helge Hellberg, executive director of Marin Organic, agrees a ground attack is the way to go. 'We are very concerned about the economic damage that this may cause. Of course we see the need to combat pests, but we are in full support of a ground-based means,' he said."

Articles on official resolutions opposing the spray:

• EB Parks Opposes Aerial Spraying for Moth. Silicon Valley Mercury News, Apr. 16
  Key Quote: "In a resolution adopted on a 6-0 vote with one abstention, the park board said it won't consider supporting the spraying until a full-blown environmental impact report assesses the chemicals the state plans to spray in parts of western Contra Costa and Alameda counties."
• Alameda: City Council Approves Resolution to Oppose Apple Moth Spraying. CBS5.com, Apr. 15
  Key Quote: "In addition to opposing the spraying planned to begin Aug. 1 in parts of San Francisco, Marin, Alameda, Contra Costa and San Mateo counties, the City Council voted to support proposed state legislation that would restrict eradication efforts and require an environmental impact report to be conducted before spraying begins."

Editorials:

• Look Past Sacramento for Moth Mess. Monterey County Herald, Apr. 21
  Key Quote: "No matter how safe the spray is, there needs to be more official research — and, eventually, some real answers — on whether the moth is really capable of causing significant crop damage or if it is a threat only because its mere existence can lead to trade restrictions for reasons that may be as political as they are scientific."
• Non-Aerial Solution to Moth Requires Quick Action in Marin. Marin Independent Journal, Apr. 21
  Key Quote: "We believe that an intensified ground-based effort now will prohibit or greatly reduce the spread of light brown apple moth populations, reduce the potential need for quarantine of Bay Area produce and the related increased use of pesticides, and may ultimately avoid the need for any aerial treatment in the future. The Marin Agriculture Commissioner's office is prepared to implement a "train the trainer" program if we can get the go-ahead and money from the state."
• Teen Calls for Truth, Common Sense. Marin Independent Journal, Apr. 18
  Key Quote: "I went to work organizing a panel in my hometown of Mill Valley to discuss the spray. The meeting drew 150 people, but not everyone has to organize a town meeting to make a difference. All of these actions represent the qualms Marin residents feel, yet none of them will singlehandedly force those higher up to listen. Collectively, we all must do our part and call the governor and tell him: Do not spray."