§ 8. Benefits to be expected from the service district.

(a)

Programs to Suppress Gypsy Moth, Cankerworm and Other Pests Identified by the Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

The forest pest infestation control and remediation program provided by the Service District funding will have the capability to locate and treat infestations on both public and private lands, and remediate the direct damage caused by these infestations by removing trees on public lands that have been killed or damaged by these infestations. In the absence of the program, many properties would receive no treatment, resulting in tree mortality and reinfestation of adjacent properties.

Due to the economies of scale of aerial treatment, the forest pest infestation control program is more cost-effective than individual treatment on a per-acre basis. Significant economies of scale will be realized with a control program which treats large areas within the County. These could not be realized by individual landowners treating their property on an individual basis.

The aerial treatment of tree damaging infestations at the proper time by a trained staff using the most environmentally sound insecticides minimizes the amount of insecticide introduced into the environment and therefore minimizes the hazard to the environment of forest pest infestation suppression efforts.

The forest pest infestation control program is a biologically effective, cost-effective, and environmentally sound means to minimize tree defoliation and mortality and to minimize infestation nuisance. This program maintains the tree habitat of the County and thereby assists in maintaining individual and collective property values and contributes to the overall quality of life. (27-92-I; 25-00-I.)

(b)

Programs to Suppress Insects that May Carry a Disease that is Dangerous to Humans.

The disease-carrying insects program provided by the Service District funding will have the capability to locate and treat insect infestations (i) on public lands and (ii) on private lands if airborne spraying operations are deemed necessary or if necessary to abate, correct, or eliminate a health or safety menace. In the absence of the program, many properties would receive no treatment, resulting in increased possibility of transmission of disease and adverse impact on humans including serious illness and death.

The treatment of disease-carrying insect infestations and/or breeding areas at the proper time by a trained staff using the most environmentally sound insecticides minimizes the amount of insecticide introduced into the environment and therefore minimizes the hazard to the environment of pest infestation suppression efforts.

The disease-carrying insects program is a biologically effective, cost-effective, and environmentally sound means to minimize the infestation of insects that may carry diseases dangerous to humans. This program suppresses the transmission cycle of the disease, suppresses the breeding of insects of concern, and contributes to the overall protection of the public health, the protection of the environment and contributes significantly to the quality of life. (28-03-I; 16-19-I.)