AUGUSTA - The Maine House voted unanimously Thursday to enact a measure sponsored by Rep. Allison Hepler, D-Woolwich, that would provide direct funds to communities to support their efforts to reduce the presence of browntail moths.
LD 1929 would create a fund for municipalities and nonprofit organizations, such as land trusts, to use to control moth populations. The bill also directs the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry to administer the program and establishes two positions within the department to support the management of forest insect pests.
Browntail moths have spread quickly across the state in the last few years. The invasive species harms the environment and human health, causing significant defoliation in forests and a spectrum of negative health effects for humans ranging from localized rashes to serious respiratory distress. In 2021, the Maine Forest Service reported that over 198,000 acres of forest were defoliated due to the pests.
"Browntail moths impact both our environmental and personal health and have the growing potential to impact our economy," said Hepler. "When I learned from our state entomologist that the best way to reduce the presence of this pest was to clip their nests, I knew many were working at the municipal level to do that, but that more support was needed. I hope this bill will make it easier for communities across the state to tackle this problem together."
During its public hearing, the bill received support from the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conversation and Forestry.
LD 1929 faces a final vote in the Senate before going to the governor's desk.
Hepler is serving her second term in the Maine House and sits on both the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee and Marine Resources Committee. She represents the towns of Arrowsic, Dresden, Georgetown, Phippsburg, Woolwich and part of Richmond.
Contact:
Jackie Merrill [Hepler] c. 812-1111