Sen. Breen testifies in favor of bold action to address the browntail moth infestation

AUGUSTA— Sen. Cathy Breen, D-Falmouth, testified before the Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee yesterday in favor of two bills to fight browntail moth infestations in southern Maine.

“Browntail moth infestations are a significant problem in my district, and the problem is getting worse,” said Sen. Breen. “These bills are an excellent start in developing a collaborative response. Infestation from browntail moth caterpillars represents a growing concern, but I have confidence that legislators can work together to find solutions.”

LD643, “An Act To Provide Funding to Municipalities Severely Affected by Pest Infestations,” authorizes Maine’s Department of Health and Human Services and State Entomologist to take action as they see fit to identify and manage harmful pests, such as browntail moths. It also creates the Maine Harmful Pest Management Fund and provides $500,000 to be allocated to towns for fighting the infestations. LD1037, “An Act To Address the Browntail Moth Infestation,” directs the University of Maine to conduct a study of the browntail moth infestation to inform how Maine addresses the issue going forward.

The bills will be the subject of work sessions in the coming weeks.

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