Gypsy Moth Management
in the United States:
a cooperative approach
Final
Environmental
Impact
Statement
Summary
November 1995
United States
Department of
Agriculture
Forest Service
Animal and Plant
Health Inspection
Service
This is a summary of the final environmental
impact statement. The complete final environ
mental impact statement is available, while
supplies last, from the USDA Forest Service,
Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry, by
calling (610) 975-4150.
What is Being Proposed
and Why
The Forest Service and Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service (APHIS) propose to adopt a new
comprehensive long-term national program to protect
the forests and trees of the United States from the
adverse effects of the gypsy moth. Gypsy moth
management activities are conducted by these
agencies of the U.S. Department of Agriculture
(USDA) under the authority of Federal laws.
The gypsy moth caterpillar disrupts people’s
lives, alters ecosystems, and destroys the beauty of
woodlands by feeding on the foliage of trees, shrubs,
and other plants. During outbreaks, when gypsy
moth populations increase rapidly, caterpillars pose a
hazard to human health and interfere with the
enjoyment of hiking, camping, and other outdoor
activities. Defoliation caused by the caterpillars
feeding reduces the vigor and general health of forests
and shade trees, leads to tree death, alters wildlife
habitat, changes the quality and quantity of water,
lowers property values, and reduces the economic
value of timber.
Since its accidental introduction in eastern
Massachusetts in the late 1860’s, the European strain
of the gypsy moth has been spreading. By 1994 it was
established as a permanent resident in all or parts of
16 States (Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland,
Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New
Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio,
Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and
West Virginia) and the District of Columbia. People
also spread the gypsy moth to areas of the country
where it is not established by unk