Review Says Minimal Risks From Spraying for Gypsy Moths

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — A draft environmental review says a plan to spray 10,500 acres to kill leaf-eating gypsy moths in Western Washington would pose minimal risk to people or other organisms.

The Washington Department of Agriculture is planning to spray a biological insecticide over Kent, Tacoma, Vancouver, Lacey, Gig Harbor and Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood this spring to kill Asian and European varieties of gypsy moths.

An assessment prepared by the U.S. Agriculture Department and released Wednesday says human health risks from the insecticide will be minimal. It says there may be impact to some native moths and butterflies, but those effects are expected to be minor.

The insects devour shrubs and trees and can make forests more vulnerable to other problems.

A second environmental review will be released March 16. The comment period ends March 30.

Once approved, spraying would begin in mid-April