Spray helicopter and post-spray conference. Western spruce budworm control project. Wedge Mountain.
Photo by: Horn
Date: 1976
The following abstract is from the project report: 1976 Western spruce budworm control project Washington - Oregon. Forest Service, USDA. Pacific Northwest Region.
www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fsbdev2_026568.pdf Abstract:
A total of 365,702 acres infested with western spruce budworm was treated in Oregon and Washington during 1976. Of this total, 7,663 were treated with Sevin 4 Oil at the rate of 1 pound (AI) in 1/2 gallon of formulated material per acre, and 358,039 acres were treated with ultra low volume Malathion at the rate of 13 ounces of technical grade material per acre.
A total of 23 helicopters and 2 fixed-wing aircraft was used in applying the insecticide. In addition, 13 helicopters and 1 fixed-wing aircraft were used for observation and general administration of the project. A total of 1,558 flying hours occurred during the project with no accidents or injuries.
Environmental monitoring of fish, aquatic organisms, birds and bees revealed no adverse effects of the treatment with the exception of a temporary reduction in aquatic organisms in streams which were directly treated with insecticide. Where one-swath buffer zones were left along streams, no significant differences in aquatic insect drift was noted.
Image provided by USDA Forest Service, Region 6, State and Private Forestry, Forest Health Protection:
www.fs.usda.gov/main/r6/forest-grasslandhealth
