Pennsylvania Black Fly Control Program to Include More Counties, Waterways

HARRISBURG, Pa., April 27 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Those pesky, biting black flies that hinder outdoor activities will soon face an aggressive aerial spraying control program conducted by the Department of Environmental Protection. Governor Edward G. Rendell’s budget proposal includes additional funding to expand the spraying program to 33 counties and 47 waterways.

“Outdoor recreation is important to the quality of life for many Pennsylvanians, and is also a key part of our state’s robust tourism industry,” said Environmental Protection Secretary Kathleen A. McGinty. “The black fly suppression program will improve both our citizens’ enjoyment of our great outdoors, and our state’s economy.”

The Governor’s budget proposal for the black fly program allocates $7.75 million to spray a total of 1,800 stream miles in 33 counties. Under this proposal, Indiana and Westmoreland counties would be added to the program beginning July 1, and the Kiskiminetas River will be added in Armstrong County.

Spraying to control black flies depends on weather conditions, and will not be done when it is raining heavily, or if river and stream levels are elevated from previous precipitation. If the water level is too high and the water is moving too rapidly, the material used for the spraying is carried away from the targeted location before it can be effective.

“DEP uses Bti, naturally occurring bacterium, to control black flies. This bacterium degrades quickly in the environment, and does not harm the aquatic ecosystem,” McGinty said. “As in the past, we will notify county emergency management officials prior to spraying in their counties, so they can be sure the helicopters they see flying over creeks, streams and rivers are doing so on behalf of the state’s black fly program.

“If any member of the public has questions when they see a helicopter conducting spraying, they can call their county emergency management office to verify that a black fly treatment is taking place in their area on that day.”

The state pays for the bulk of this program, but participating counties do contribute.

Spraying for black flies is expected to begin in May as soon as water levels recede to where the treatment can be effective, and surveillance shows sufficient numbers of black fly larvae present. On days when spraying is scheduled, it will usually begin between 7 and 8 a.m. and continue until all waterways are completed, or until dark.

For more information, visit http://www.depweb.state.pa.us/, keyword “black fly.”

EDITOR’S NOTE: Here is a list of the 33 counties and 47 waterways to be sprayed for black flies:

   County          Treated Waterways    Adams           Conewago Creek    Armstrong       Allegheny River, Kiskiminetas River (1), Mahoning Creek,                   Redbank Creek    Beaver          Connoquenessing Creek    Berks           Maiden Creek, Manatawny Creek, Schuylkill River,                   Tulpehocken Creek    Bradford        Chemung River, North Branch Susquehanna River, Wyalusing                   Creek    Bucks           Delaware River, Neshaminy Creek, Tohickon Creek    Butler          Slippery Rock Creek    Clarion         Allegheny River, Clarion River, Redbank Creek    Clearfield      Chest Creek, West Branch Susquehanna River    Columbia        Fishing Creek, North Branch Susquehanna River    Cumberland      Conodoguinet Creek, Susquehanna River, Yellow Breeches                   Creek    Dauphin         Juniata River, Mahantango Creek, Susquehanna River,                   Swatara Creek    Elk             Clarion River    Fayette         Youghiogheny River    Forest          Allegheny River, Clarion River, Tionesta Creek    Huntingdon      Aughwick Creek, Frankstown Branch Juniata River, Juniata                   River    *Indiana        Conemaugh River, Kiskiminetas River, Little Mahoning                   Creek, Mahoning Creek    Juniata         Juniata River, Susquehanna River, Tuscarora Creek    Lawrence        Connoquenessing Creek, Neshannock Creek, Slippery Rock                   Creek    Luzerne         North Branch Susquehanna River    Lycoming        Loyalsock Creek, Pine Creek, West Branch Susquehanna River    Mifflin         Juniata River    Northampton     Delaware River    Northumberland  Mahantango Creek, North Branch Susquehanna River,                   Susquehanna River, West Branch Susquehanna River    Perry           Juniata River, Sherman Creek, Susquehanna River    Schuylkill      Schuylkill River    Snyder          Middle Creek, Penns Creek, Susquehanna River    Union           Penns Creek, West Branch Susquehanna River    Venango         Allegheny River, French Creek, Oil Creek, Sandy Creek,                   Sugar Creek    Warren          Allegheny River, Brokenstraw Creek, Conewango Creek    *Westmoreland   Conemaugh River, Kiskiminetas River    Wyoming         North Branch Susquehanna River, Tunkhannock Creek    York            Conewago Creek, Susquehanna River, Yellow Breeches Creek    * County added under Governor’s proposal   (1) Added under Governor’s proposal    CONTACT:  Ron Ruman             (717) 787-1323  

Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection

CONTACT: Ron Ruman of the Pennsylvania Department of EnvironmentalProtection, +1-717-787-1323

Web site: http://www.depweb.state.pa.us/