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News Release
RI Department of Environmental Management
235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908
(401) 222-2771 TDD/(401) 222-4462
For Release: November 2, 2005
Contact: Gail Mastrati 222-4700 ext. 2402
Stephanie Powell 222-4700 ext. 4418

DEM ANNOUNCES SEMINAR FOR COVENTRY, SCITUATE RESIDENTS ON RECENT FOREST DEFOLIATION AND STEPS TO CONTROL DAMAGE IN FUTURE

PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management, in conjunction with the Scituate Conservation Commission, will hold a free, informal seminar for residents on Saturday, November 12 to discuss the recent outbreaks of gypsy moth and orangestriped oakworm in the central areas of Scituate and Coventry.

Representatives from DEM's Divisions of Forestry and Agriculture will speak about the recent outbreaks, what residents can expect next year, and how they can prepare.

More than 8,000 acres were affected by an outbreak of gypsy moths in the spring of '05, followed by an outbreak of orangestriped oakworm in late summer and early fall. The infestations were very heavy, but very localized, according to Catherine Sparks, Acting Chief of DEM's Division of Forest Environment. "The intensity varied within distances of only several hundred feet," she said.

"There could well be a high population of the insects next year," Sparks said, adding that until the Department completes egg mass counts, any current predictions are not necessarily accurate. Therefore, in addition to the upcoming seminar, a second one will be held early next spring with updated information.

"We recognize that it has been a difficult situation for affected landowners," Sparks said, "and we want to educate them as to the life cycles of the insects, how to monitor for them, and steps they can take to reduce damage, including spraying options."

The November 12 seminar will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Potterville Fire Station at 953 Tunk Hill Road (Route 12), just east of the intersection with Old Plainfield Pike in Scituate.

For further information, contact DEM's Division of Forest Environment, weekdays, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., at 647-3367.

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