06-23-1997 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commission Minutes-June 23, 1997 1646 Mr. Meyer asked Mr. Valovage if the previous rainfall would help alleviate the problem. Mr. Valovage said if the grasshoppers are small, maybe 20% to 30% were destroyed. If the weather continues to remain wet, grasshopper diseases occur which kill them. He also discussed the difference between aerial and ground spraying and said ground spraying takes longer to complete. He said both methods are effective but aerial spraying is an excellent method in rural areas. Mr. Cogdill discussed information regarding grasshoppers and said Extension Services has a circular on grasshoppers available to the public. He said this year the grasshopper hatch occurred May 20th and continues for 6 weeks with each hatch working through a series of molts. He said the grasshopper "hot spots" are grass areas adjacent to soybean and corn fields. The most effective chemical products to control grasshoppers are Sevin XLR and Malathion. The Sevin XLR meets the grazing, haying and pasturing restrictions outlined in North Dakota Century Code. He encouraged surveys be completed to look at the counts before spraying is done. He said the only survey information available from the North Dakota Department of Agriculture is on grazing and range land in the western part of the state. He said the surveys are done by using sweep nets, which is a time consuming job. Mr. VVieland suggested surveying the five townships that attended the meeting in Davenport last week and also sending a letter to all townships to see if they need assistance. Mr. Young said he has four employees who can do the surveys and estimates a township may take one day to treat. Mr. Wieland asked if any grants are available to help with the costs. Mr. Cogdill said the only grants he is familiar with are those for federal range and pasture land. Mr. Montplaisir distributed copies of Commission Policy 16.30, Disaster Situations, Grasshopper Control for Road Right of Way approved on May 4, 1992. Mr. VVieland said the policy states "the county will provide financial assistance up to $24.00 per mile with treatment required on both sides of the roadside". He asked about the increase in chemical costs compared to five years ago. Mr. Schroeder said there has been a 15% to 20% increase in chemical costs since 1992. The policy requires the county designate a grasshopper coordinator and each individual township appoint someone to serve as the township contact person. Mr. Andvik suggested township chairmen serve as the contacts. Mr. Koenig suggested surveys be completed for the affected townships as soon as possible and townships discuss this item at the next Township Officers Association meeting to decide how to handle this each year. Mr. Wieland said this item will be scheduled on the County Commission agenda for the July 7th meeting to discuss options for the future, cost and reimbursement limitations. He asked letters be sent to townships today inquiring if assistance is needed. MOTION, passed Mrs. Quick moved and Mr. Koenig seconded to 1) reaffirm Commission Policy 16.30, Disaster Situations, Grasshopper Control Plans for Road Right of Way, including the dollar limitations; 2) appoint a county grasshopper coordinator; and 3) pursue township surveys per township request up to a maximum of 12 townships. On roll call vote, motion carried unanimously. Mr. Wieland asked Mr. Young to serve as the grasshopper coordinator this year and Mr. Young agreed to serve in the position.