Maine
Maine creates fund to deal with rash-causing moth
AUGUSTA, Maine — Editor’s observe: The video above aired April 22, 2022.
Maine will use a brand new fund to assist cities and cities attempt to management the unfold of invasive moth that causes an itchy rash.
The browntail moth is a pest in Maine, the place the hairs of its caterpillars trigger rashes and respiratory issues for unfortunate residents and guests. The moth has additionally defoliated tens of hundreds of acres of forest.
Democratic Gov. Janet Mills has signed a invoice to create a fund for municipalities and nonprofit teams to make use of to cut back moth populations. The fund is slated to begin with $150,000 within the 2022-23 fiscal 12 months.
Communities and teams may use the cash for mitigation work resembling hiring arborists and pesticide applicators and renting gear to clip down moth nests.
Democratic Rep. Allison Hepler mentioned the pests “have an effect on our environmental and private well being and with out mitigation efforts, may start to influence our tourism financial system.”